Weekly Sports Beat (1-19-12)

(photo courtesy of Pomona-Pitzer Athletics)

Welcome to the 2nd installment of the Weekly Sports Beat, a new feature on the COURIER Sports Beat blog that will serve to cover some of the bigger highlights of the week in Claremont sports. This week involves a basketball rivalry, an update on the Claremont High School boys and girls soccer teams and more. Let's get to it:

-The battle of the undefeated men's basketball teams in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference resulted in a closely contested 57-55 win for Claremont-Mudd-Scripps over Pomona-Pitzer on Wednesday night. The undefeated Stags (15-0, 4-0) won the game when Remy Pinson went the whole length of the court to score a layup with 0.5 seconds remaining. Chris Blees (11 points), Tyler Gaffaney (11 points) and Pinson (10 points) all scored in double figures for C-M-S. Jack Klukas (13 points) and Michael Cohen (12 points) led Pomona-Pitzer (8-6, 3-1).

Landus' Note: Anytime the C-M-S and Pomona-Pitzer men's basketball teams get together, it is guaranteed that you will see an intense and close contested game. Wednesday's game proved to be no different for the 2 rivals in a game that was up for grabs down to the final seconds. Yet the Sagehens should had focused more on defense after Klukas tied the game at 55-55 with a 3-pointer because allowing a layup with under 10 seconds to play is inexcusable, especially when that player goes the entire length of the floor. These 2 teams will meet again very soon, giving the Sagehens a chance at revenge.

-The CHS varsity boys and girls soccer teams both posted shutouts against Charter Oak on Wednesday with the boys team blanking the Chargers, 8-0, and the girls team winning its first match since its defeat to St. Lucy's last week, 4-0. Stephen Barba scored 2 goals and Jason Umansky contributed a goal and 2 assists as the CHS boys team (13-2-2, 3-0) scored 5 of its 8 goals in the 2nd half. Madison Stark, Briana Holmes, Leandra Escobar and Megan Renken all scored for the CHS girls team, who improves to 16-1-3 overall and 2-1 in Sierra League play.

Landus' Note: There is no doubt that both the boys and girls soccer teams are very strong and are CIF contenders this year. Though Charter Oak was not a tough opponent for either team, it is still important to get the "W," which is what CHS did. This was a big win for the girls team as it should boost the confidence of the squad that recently suffered its first defeat and then played to a tie with Chino Hills. No matter what the level of competition is, every win in sports is significant.

-The C-M-S men and women's swim teams both improved to 4-0 in SCIAC by dominating the University of La Verne last weekend. The Stags coasted to a 258-81 victory while the Athenas triumphed over the Leopards, 267-66. Click HERE for full results of the meet. (Photo courtesy of C-M-S Athletics)

Landus' Note: Claremont is a destination for swimming as C-M-S, CHS and the Claremont Club all field highly competitive and successful teams each year. Pomona-Pitzer's defeats to C-M-S and Redlands shows that the Sagehens still have a ways to go to be among the SCIAC elite. Both the Stags and Athenas may go undefeated in SCIAC this season but the February 4 meet against Redlands will prove to be their toughest challenge of the season.

-This afternoon, the COURIER will attend the Sierra League girls water polo match between Claremont and Ayala in Chino Hills. Look for coverage of today's match in Saturday's edition of the COURIER. The match begins at 4:15 p.m.

As always, your comments are welcome. What are some of your highlights of the week?