The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table hosted the 27 players named to Presidio Sports’ All-City Football Team at its weekly press luncheon on Monday.
The Ranchero Room at Harry’s Plaza Cafe was overflowing with the largest crowd of the school year as a result, as an additional four student-athletes were recognized as Athletes of the Week, one more as a Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and reports came from coaches or athletic directors representing 16 teams currently in season.
It is the first time Presidio Sports has named a city all-star football team. Present were Players of the Year Anthony Carter and Nico Bornand.
Find our more about the All-City Football Team HERE
Elizabeth Beebe was featured as the Providence Hall’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Beebe was introduced by award sponsor Bob Huhn of Human Performance Center.
Beebe’s father Gayle, in attendance with wife Pamela, is the President of Westmont College. Elizabeth too has the leadership talent as she’s the captain of both the Lions’ varsity volleyball and basketball teams while earning a 4.59 GPA in the classroom.
Four Athletes of the Week were announced, two more than normal to account for winter break. Santa Barbara High water polo player Kelsey O’Brien and Dos Pueblos soccer player Omar Montalvo were given the award for the week just before New Years Day. San Marcos basketball player Bryce Ridenour and Bishop Diego’s Greer Shull earned the distinction for performances last week.
Once past the awards, the coaches took their turns at the podium reporting on their respective teams. Reports were heard from 16 different programs, starting with UCSB women’s basketball.
The Gauchos recently hosted two programs with national profiles – Kentucky and Kansas State – before beginning conference play last week.
“What a wonderful experience it was for us to have a top-10 team – Kentucky – come to our Thunderdome,” said UCSB assistant coach Natalie Jarrett.
The other two college basketball coaches in the room, Westmont’s John Moore and Kirsten Moore, are leading top-10 teams themselves. Both the men’s and women’s teams at Westmont hold high national NAIA rankings and host rival Biola on Tuesday.
“It is about the greatest college basketball environment you could be a part of,” John Moore said of the Biola rivalry games. “The Westmont-Biola game is like Duke-North Carolina. It’s like UCLA-USC used to be.”
Moore’s last game was exciting as they come. Jordan Sachs made a half-court shot at the buzzer to turn a loss into an unbelievable win. [VIDEO]
Game times for the women’s and men’s games on Tuesday at Westmont are 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Westmont hosts a pair of games at the same times on Saturday as part of the Alex Moore Classic.
The three Channel League boys basketball teams all reported.
“Channel League boys basketball is definitely back,” said Dons assistant head coach Andy Gil, whose team hosts Dos Pueblos on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The Chargers have won four in a row and eight of their last nine.
Chargers assistant coach John Slavin reported for the team, which is in first place in the Channel League. With him were players Zach Shugart and Cruz Mertens.
“These two kids, even though they are our offensive leaders, they have bought into our defensive philosophy,” Slavin said.
Like Dos Pueblos, San Marcos is on a roll and has won six of its last seven games.
With San Marcos head coach Dave Odell were Athlete of the Week Bryce Ridenour, Kevin Hempy and Eric Rice.
Bishop Diego girls basketball coach Jeff Burich was able to speak on an athlete of the week, Greer Shull. The senior set the new school record for career 3-pointers with 109. Shull scored 21 points in game.
“She’s just done a great job this season,” said Cardinals head coach Jeff Burich. “It’s amazing the things she does for us on the court, off the court – just a great leader. I’m going to have to enjoy the last couple of months we have with her this season.”
Burich also brought Jordyn Lilly, a sophomore who plays the third most minutes on the team.
STUDENT-ATHLETES PRESENT (Non-Football Players)
Kevin Shaw, San Marcos Soccer
Ian Hall, San Marcos Soccer
Eduardo Mejia, Carpinteria Soccer
Eduardo Garcia, Carpinteria Soccer
Cruz Mertens, Dos Pueblos Basketball
Zach Shugart, Dos Pueblos Basketball
Kevin Hempy, San Marcos Basketball
Bryce Ridenour, San Marcos Basketball
Eric Rice, San Marcos Basketball
Elizabeth Beebe, Providence Hall Basketball
Noelle Oppenhuizen, Providence Hall Basketball
Aurora Zemjanis, Carpinteria Soccer
Alyssa Freeman, Carpinteria Soccer
Jada Howard, Santa Barbara Basketball
Amber Melgoza, Santa Barbara Basketball
Ivette Gil, Santa Barbara Basketball
Greer Shull, Bishop Diego Basketball
Jordyn Lilly, Bishop Diego Basketball
Libby Brymer, San Marcos Soccer
Ashley Carney, San Marcos Soccer
Hanna Brand, Bishop Diego Soccer
Jordan Price, Bishop Diego Soccer
Justin Brosnan, Bishop Diego Soccer
Troy Skinner, Bishop Diego Soccer
Aidan Williams, Bishop Diego Soccer
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