Page 18 •POM: Alex Grimes •LG baseball •Boys volleyball El Gato • Thursday,Sports Apil 23, 2015 • Los Gatos High School • elgatonews.com Baseball on top of league UT wins Quidditch final by Dakota Rogers by Olivia Pla On April 11 and 12, the competition took place at Sports Editor People Editor Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The Los Gatos Wildcats baseball team has been The Harry Potter series has led to a variety of Two-time defending champion, the University of off to a fiery start, taking down all of its fierce spin-offs, but perhaps the most intense is bringing Texas, was back this year and ready to win its third competition in both the SCVAL De Anza league and Quidditch to life as a national competitive league. world cup in a row. the infamous WCAL league. They have beaten all Created in 2010, US Quidditch is a nonprofit that In the final four were the Lone Star Quidditch opposition in the area, moving up to be ranked 12 in spreads the joy of Quidditch wherever it can. With Club, the University of Texas, the University of California and 38 in the nation. However, the Wildcats over 4,000 participants and 200 teams nationwide, Maryland, and the Lost Boys. In semifinals, the are approaching the end of their season and will be Quidditch is revolutionizing the world of sports. Lost Boys took on the University of Texas and the beginning league playoffs and eventually CCS playoffs. Though Quidditch currently only includes college Lone Star Quidditch Club matched up with the The Wildcats started their season on a hot streak, age and older players, USQ is working to bring the University of Maryland. The Lone Star Quidditch beating five teams in a row, some wins coming by more sport to younger age groups. club destroyed Maryland with a final score of 120- than ten runs. They then faced off against Milpitas Unlike in the books, there is no flying, but 50, the game ending with a snitch catch. The Lost High School, and even though junior Hunter Bigge there are broomsticks. Players must hold a broom Boys also suffered a devastating loss against the threw a no hitter into the final inning, the Wildcats between their legs at all times during the game. University of Texas with a final score of 180-30. lost their only game of the season 2-1. However, this Quidditch can best be described as a mix of rugby, In the final game, the Lone Star Quidditch loss also taught them a valuable lesson. The team real- A. Finch , and dodgeball. In the game, there are club put up a fight against Texas, and the score ized they needed to work harder than before and earn in San Mateo, the Wildcats used a combination of seven players on each team: one keeper, three switched back and forth several times. Evan Carr, every single win by playing all seven innings strong. good pitching, defense, and hitting to score five chasers, two beaters, and a seeker. The object of the Texas seeker, finally ended the game by catch- After this loss the Wildcats were untouchable in their runs and limit the opposition to only four. the game is to score as many points through the ing the snitch. The University of Texas celebrated league, recently beating Palo Alto High School. When asked about the team’s goals this year, opposing team’s three goal hoops or to catch the its third consecutive win this year. Five out of the Beyond their league, the Wildcats have been dom- senior Aidan Finch stated, “We just want to go snitch, a ball attached to the waistband of the eight teams of last year’s quarterfinals were from inant, taking down dominant private school teams out there and prove ourselves to everybody else. neutral snitch runner. Texas, so we can expect to see the Lone Star state including St. Francis, Valley Christian, and Serra. In We need to take advantage of the talent on the To score points, the three chasers toss a ball back again next year and ready to win. (Sources: the Wildcats matchup against the St. Francis Lancers, team and play every game as hard as we can.” called a quaffle through one of the three goal US Quidditch, The Daily Texan) the day after their first loss, Los Gatos went down 10 Before the season began, nobody thought a hoops. Each goal is worth 10 points. Players can runs early. They kept on battling through the game public school baseball team could even compete move the ball down by the field by throwing it to and ultimately overcame the ten run deficit in walk- with the private teams, that recruit players and one another, running with it, or kicking it. The off fashion. A base-hit line drive by senior Dylan have funding to pay for professional coaching and keeper protects the goal hoops. The two beaters Plane scored the final run, winning the game for the equipment. The Wildcats came to play this season try to prevent the opposing team’s chasers from Wildcats 13-12. Away at Valley Christian High School, and have proven the skeptics wrong. Using the scoring by using a dodgeball called a bludger. If the Wildcats were led by the dominant pitching talent available from the pool of public school hit by a bludger, a player is out of the game until performance by junior Brooks Olesek who kept the students and organized by the new head coach he or she touches their own goal hoops. Finally, Warriors scoreless through six innings. The Wildcats Nate Anderson, the team has risen in NorCal and both seekers spend the game trying to catch the garnered five runs in the final inning and trumped CCS rankings and is on the right track to contend snitch to end the game. the Warriors 5-2. Finally, to beat Serra High School for the CCS Championship. The US Quidditch World Cup is an annual com- petition that takes place in a new location each year. Eighty teams qualify through regionals to get the chance to compete at the world cup and win the highly coveted world championship trophy. POM: Alex Grimes swims courtesy wikicommons by Danika Lyle News Editor NBA playoffs commence Water: an unfamiliar territory for many, but not by Brent Gingell it could be the first time carries for senior swim captain Alex Grimes who has set Web Editor his team in the playoffs. seven school records and will join the Northwestern The problem that some sports face is that The rest of the West is characterized by close University swim team next year. Although it may they just get boring. After 82 games, many NBA matchups of good teams. It wasn’t until the very seem so, this CCS champion didn’t take to the sport fans start wondering if the regular season is even last day of the regular season that the West set- overnight. Since beginning her swimming career at worth following. The committed basketball fan tled into the clear playoff picture. The Houston age five, Grimes has shaped herself into the soon- sits through back to back games, matinee games, Rockets, led by MVP candidate James Harden, are to-be Division 1 athlete that she is today. games against good teams, and games against facing the offensive machine that is the Dallas Grimes began swimming on her grandmother’s absolutely horrible teams that probably aren’t even Mavericks. The defending champion San Antonio advice, who said that because she has a pool, it’s trying to win in some hope that maybe one of the Spurs will be playing the . The important to know how to swim. Grimes instantly bright young college talents might save them from Portland Trail Blazers matchup against the Mem- took a liking to the sport and requested that she the pit of perennial loss. The season begins to feel phis Grizzlies - this matchup will be characterized begin training competitively. At age eight, Grimes so long that the fans forget the excitement, they by Portland’s offensive prowess going against swam at Courtside in the club swim team and Swim fall into a rhythm – watch the team, feel emotion- the tough and defensive Grizzlies. The Western South Bay under Marisa Cozort. Grimes credits Cozort ally invested, neglect personal reality. For the fans Conference has an abundance of talent, and all with helping to establish her love of swimming. A. Grimes of the 12 teams that miss the playoffs, this may of the matchups are bound to prove compelling. Grimes reflected on Cozort’s passion, stating, “She more than just yourself.” Grimes also said that, seem like a waste with the only recompense being The Eastern Conference had a massive shakeup really valued the sport and balancing it with a compared to high school swimming, club swim- some extraordinarily tall college freshman. How- of power coming into this season when Lebron teen’s life.” When the swimmer yearned for a more ming is a very individual sport, so high school ever, the fans of 16 teams have grinded through James went home to Cleveland. There, Lebron competitive team at age 14, she began competing at swim has a very exciting aspect to it. She also to the final destination – the playoffs. joined forces with All Stars Kevin Love and Kyrie PASA (Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics). Grimes remarks stated that she loves “how everyone can just be The 2014-2015 NBA basketball season was Irving, along with a new coach, David Blatt, on her current training by saying, “I train over 20 friends all of the sudden during swim season chock full of surprises. Last year’s Most Valuable to return the Cavaliers to the playoffs for the hours a week, so I don’t think that it would be easy because we all share this common interest.” Player, Oklahoma City’s , was injured first time since Lebron left. They’re playing the to do if I didn’t love the sport.” “Swimming has had such an amazing impact and mostly absent. The were not Boston Celtics, who ended up as a decent team Grimes has found huge success in swimming, from on my life,” said Grimes on her many years of the worst team in the league. The Golden State due to excellent coaching from Brad Stevens. This elementary school until now. As a freshman, Grimes swimming. “Not only have I met so many won- Warriors had an outstanding season, leading them matchup will be the stars against a system, and defeated the oldest swim record in our school’s derful people, I have learned so many things to 67 victories and the title of champions for the will likely fall to the best player in the league’s history. Flash forward four years, and Grimes holds that can be carried into real life.” One of the Western Conference. The Atlanta Hawks took home favor. Lebron James has never lost in the first seven different records from events like the 100 important “real life” lessons she has learned the Eastern Conference in an excellent year with round of the playoffs. Besides every casual and fly to the 50 free. Grimes is a part of every record has been time management. Learning how to three of their players making the All-Star Team. attentive basketball fan’s need to watch whatever for girls’ relay at the school, and this season isn’t achieve the balance between swim, school, and In the Eastern Conference, last year’s top two team Lebron James is on, the Eastern Conference even finished yet. Last year, Grimes received second fun has been a difficult challenge for Grimes, teams, the Miami Heat and the , both is front-loaded. The conference winner Atlanta place at CCS finals. The junior national swimmer is but it looks like it’s all paying off. Grimes also missed the playoffs due to missing Lebron James Hawks play the Brooklyn Nets, the team with currently on one of the top three club teams in the said that she learned a lot about being a part who left to Cleveland and Paul George who broke the highest payroll. The have nation and is showing no signs of slowing. of a swim team. Throughout her swim career, his leg. But that’s enough eulogizing the regular their former MVP back from injury Despite her huge success throughout her many Grimes has encountered lots of different types season, it’s time to move on. The best basketball and are facing the young , who swim seasons, Grimes admits that she has had her of people, but she says “you just have to really is still to come. excel defensively. Finally, the go share of plateaus and not-so-great seasons. Grimes push through a hard set with them before you It’s only fair to start with the best team in the up against the Washington Wizards — the two credits her teammates with being her constant become friends.” It’s also taught Grimes a lot league; The rolled through All-Star guards Kyle Lowry and support system. Grimes added, “It’s easy to go work about sacrifice. On the topic of sacrifice, Grimes their schedule losing only two games at home all will characterize this duel. hard when it is all paying off, but when it doesn’t states, “I have had to sacrifice a lot of things season. They’re facing the New Orleans Pelicans, a The NBA playoffs are the most intense part of seem to be making a difference, that’s when it’s more for swimming, but I really think most of it has team that stamped their playoff ticket on the very the season, when teams and players are fighting difficult.” Grimes said that her PASA teammates push been worth it because of all that I’ve learned last day possible. The Warriors are led by MVP can- for recognition and ultimately victory. Every team each other to do their best every day during practice. and accomplished over the years.” didate, three point marksman, and talented drib- is trying to win and putting their best players on When high school season comes around, rather than Grimes has committed to swim for North- bler who is partnered with fellow the court. These teams are not tanking; they’re going to scheduled practices with the entire team, western University Division 1 swimming over sharpshooter and a supporting not trying to lose; they’re not longingly watching Grimes continues to train with her PASA team while the next four years. Some goals that Grimes has cast of elite defensive players such as Draymond the University of Kentucky’s basketball games on attending LGHS meets. Grimes said that because she for the future include getting an Olympic Trial Green, Andrew Bogut, and . The repeat; they only want to win. These playoffs are is captain this year, “it has been really great to be cut in 200 fly this summer, making finals at Big Pelicans have a future superstar in 22 year-old bound to be great. Everyone should be looking more a part of everything. High school swimming Tens her freshmen year, and making NCAA’s at Anthony Davis. This matchup has the very real forward to seeing how this turns out. Check out is all about the team, and swimming for something some point in her college career. potential to result in the complete destruction of the potential series clinching games over this the Pelicans by the best regular season team, or weekend!