Lightweights: Tourney title wakes up CdM Sea Kings

Steve Virgen

NEWPORT BEACH - By winning the Marina Tournament title, the Corona

del Mar junior varsity boys volleyball team has brought new life to the

Sea Kings’ program, and then some.

“That was the turning point of the season,” CdM Coach Bill

Christiansen said.

Led by sophomore captain Eric Jones, the Sea Kings have used a total

team effort as they control their own destiny in capturing the Pacific

Coast League title. Christiansen said a victory at Laguna Beach Thursday

would clinch the league championship for CdM.

Christiansen graduated as an Artist in 1973 and would love nothing

more than to clinch the title at his old school.

“I always look forward to going back and beating them,” he said.

Victory is certainly within reason so long as Jones and his mates are

around. Jones, 15, 6-foot-5 and a bit over 200 pounds, provides

leadership. He also makes himself known in the club hockey scene.

He is one of just eight players on the CdM squad, which thrived in the

underdog role at the Marina tourney. Christiansen said, Laguna Beach

bumped down varsity players for the tournament as most teams carried

10-14 players, providing rest for its starters.

Sea Kings juniors Danny Degheri, Pat Labuda and Charlie Stafford along

with sophomores Clay Stone, Tyler Brundage, Greg Gabriel and Brandon

Sherick-Odom stepped up to the endurance challenge. And, according to

Christiansen, they, including Jones, are ready to make a difference next

year on varsity.

Playing the best of three games to win a match, CdM lost just one

match to Laguna Beach and earned four victories en route to the Marina

tourney championship.

With that momentum, the Sea Kings then claimed revenge on the Artists,

minus their varsity players, with a 15-13 victory in Game 3 that decided

the match last week. Friday, CdM defeated University, 2-1 in games.

“I like the way they’re playing right now,” Christiansen said.

“They’ll be ready to do the job next year.”

Christiansen also said CdM has outstanding outside hitters in

Sherick-Odom and Labuda.

“(Stone is) one of our best passers,” Christiansen said. “Danny

(Degheri) is our best defensive player, flat out, our hardest worker.”

Stafford and Brundage provide “excellent” hitting and defense, the CdM

Coach said, while Gabriel, the setter, should challenge for a starting

position on varsity next year.

The Newport Harbor boys frosh-soph sprint medley relay team proved to

Pasadena Games competitors that the Sailors definitely belong among the

elite.

Newport Coach Bim Barry said sophomores Mark Spears and Jason Barker

teamed with freshmen Conrad Williamson and Brian Campos were turned away

from the event early in the meet. But, when a relay team failed to show

up, the Sailors received the chance to prove their worth.

They went on to claim victory as Williamson blazed in his 200 meters,

as did Campos. Spears sparkled in his contribution in his 400 meters and

Barker wrapped it up with a sizzling 800-meter run.

“We proved that we should’ve been put into the race,” Barry said.