Oilers grow with familiarity
Growing pains were bound to happen for Huntington Beach’s hockey team.
It’s certainly not an easy task to learn how to play together when players are in and out of the lineup.
That is the reality of high school hockey. Injuries are already a part of the game, and many of the players miss additional time with their school due to club team commitments.
With only two hours of practice time a week, Coach Shawn Pitcher’s team had been hard-pressed to develop the more chemistry-dependent parts of the game, namely special teams.
The Oilers were left to learn in game situations, and consequently, they dropped their first five contests of the season.
As of late, however, things are starting to come around. Huntington Beach is 1-2-1 over its last four games, and it is sporting a manageable minus-1 goal differential.
During the five-game losing streak that opened the season, the Oilers were outscored, 20-8.
“The improvement has been the chemistry aspect,” Pitcher said in a text Wednesday night. “The kids are a little more familiar with each other.”
“Also, our special teams has gotten a little better, as we have devoted a little more time to it at practice.”
Getting deeper into the season allows teams to focus more on specifics like their power play and penalty-killing units.
Count Huntington Beach among those who should be grateful for the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League’s playoff structure. Every team in Division 3 is entered into a single-elimination bracket, with the top two teams receiving a first-round bye.
Coming into this weekend’s slate of games, Huntington Beach (1-7-1-0, five points) is sixth out of the seven teams in the Coast View Conference.
Woodbridge also has five points, but the Oilers got out of the cellar by beating the Warriors back on Nov. 19. A four-goal third period lifted Huntington Beach to a 5-2 victory, with Evan Stapleton scoring the tying and go-ahead goals.
The Oilers will face Long Beach Prep (3-6-0-0, nine points) on Saturday at Lakewood Ice. The puck drops at 2:55 p.m.
Girls’ basketball rankings released
In the first edition of the CIF Southern Section girls’ basketball rankings, two area teams made the cut.
Those two schools are Huntington Beach and Edison, both of which reside in a deep and talented Sunset League.
The Oilers (4-2) begin the year ranked 11th in Division 1A, while the crosstown rival Chargers (5-0) come in at No. 15.
Huntington Beach avenged a season-opening loss to Aliso Niguel with a 62-46 triumph over the Wolverines (5-2) on Monday. Thursday night’s road matchup against seventh-ranked Esperanza gave the Oilers an opportunity to climb up the Division 1A rankings.
Frankie Wade-Sanchez scored a game-high 28 points to lead the Oilers past Aliso Niguel, with Kaylyn Nakaji adding 13 points.
Edison has won five straight to open the year. After winning the Gold Bracket of the Redondo “Battle at the Beach” Tournament, the Chargers’ next test will come in the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions right before Christmas.
CIF-SS Girls’ Basketball Rankings
(First release – as of Dec. 12)
Division 1AA
1. Long Poly
2. Sierra Canyon
3. Harvard-Westlake
4. Etiwanda
5. Alemany
6. Windward
7. Brea Olinda
8. Serra
9. Ventura
10. Mater Dei
11. Chaminade
12. Valencia/Valencia
13. Troy
14. Vista Murrieta
15. Redondo Union
16. North Torrance
Division 1A
1. Fairmont Prep
2. Valley View
3. Orangewood Academy
4. Buena
5. JW North
6. Bishop Montgomery
7. Esperanza
8. ML King
9. Mira Costa
10. El Dorado
11. Huntington Beach
12. Antelope Valley
13. Diamond Bar
14. Agoura
15. Edison
16. Kennedy
Division 2AA
1. Rowland
2. Camarillo
3. Dos Pueblos
4. Arroyo Valley
5. Twentynine Palms
6. Rosary Academy
7. Santa Margarita
8. JSerra
9. St. Joseph/Lakewood
10. Temescal Canyon
11. Barstow
12. Los Altos
13. Walnut
14. St. Monica Catholic
15. Culver City
16. Downey
Division 2A
1. Marlborough
2. Righetti
3. Ayala
4. Rio Mesa
5. Glendale
6. Warren
7. Covina
8. West Covina
9. Burbank
10. Notre Dame Academy
11. Leuzinger
12. Lompoc
13. Lompoc Cabrillo
14. Aliso Niguel
15T. Riverside Poly
15T. Ridgecrest Burroughs
15T. Segerstrom
Division 3AA
1. Glendora
2. Pacifica
3. Palos Verdes
4. Diamond Ranch
5. Royal
6. Gahr
7. Yucca Valley
8. Heritage
9. Peninsula
10T. Sultana
10T. Rialto
12. Oxnard Pacifica
13. San Clemente
14. Trabuco Hills
15. San Jacinto
16. Cerritos
Division 3A
1. Los Osos
2. St. Mary’s Academy
3. Rancho Verde
4. Viewpoint
5. Flintridge Prep
6. Moorpark
7. Lancaster
8. Crossroads
9. Irvine
10. La Salle
11. Simi Valley
12. Paso Robles
13. Montebello
14. Golden Valley
15. Beaumont
16. Shadow Hills
Division 4AA
1. Village Christian
2. Pasadena
3. Oxford Academy
4. Cathedral City
5. Whittier Christian
6. Jurupa Valley
7. Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks
8. Santa Monica
9T. Laguna Hills
9T. Cerritos Valley Christian
11. Maranatha
12. Ontario
13. St. Bonaventure
14. California
15. Westlake
16. Eastside
Division 4A
1. Knight
2. Foothill Technology
3. Beverly Hills
4. Pomona
5. Holy Martyrs
6. San Marino
7. Aquinas
8. Alhambra
9. Providence
10T. Santa Clara
10T. Pioneer
12. San Marcos
13T. Big Bear
13T. Whitney
15T. Faith Baptist
15T. Northview
Division 5AA
1. California Lutheran
2. Pilibos
3. Pasadena Poly
4. Webb
5. Heritage Christian
6. Loara
7. Mesa Grande Academy
8. St. Genevieve
9. Bishop Diego
10. University Prep
11. Rosemead
12. Rubidoux
13. Downey Calvary Chapel
14. Westridge
15. La Reina
16. Workman
Division 5A
1. Silver Valley
2. Bell Jeff
3. Desert Christian Academy
4. Mary Star of the Sea
5. Woodcrest Christian
6. Sherman Indian
7. Trinity Classical
8. Riverside Prep
9. The Archer School
10. Ontario Christian
11. Connelly
12. Boron
13. Lone Pine
14. Saddleback
15. Carpinteria
16. Arrowhead Christian
Division 6
1. Rolling Hills Prep
2. Santa Clarita Christian
3. Grace Brethren
4. Lancaster Baptist
5. Western Christian
6. CSDR
7. Desert Christian/Lancaster
8. Eastside Christian
9. Coastal Christian
10T. Lucerne Valley
10T. Tarbut V’Torah
10T. Santa Rosa Academy
13. Academy for Careers and Exploration
14. Trona
15T. Lycee International
15T. Sacred Heart of Jesus
15T. Linfield Christian
