News at Buckley

Middle School Fall Sports Wrap Up

Our Buckley Lower and Middle School Athletics teams concluded their seasons prior to Thanksgiving break. As always, fall season was filled with excitement, heartache, nail-biting finishes, and championship wins. We fielded 16 teams in girls basketball, flag football, swimming, girls tennis, and cross country, and participated in both the Delphic and San Fernando Private Schools League.

 
In girls basketball Coach Conley and Coach Klay had a wonderful time with a very successful fifth grade group. While the girls lacked a little experience they developed tremendously over the course of the season. Their work ethic and passion for the game was infectious and it was so much fun to see such a highly competitive group of girls play. Both teams dominated in all their games and the teams had a combined 11-0 undefeated record!
 
Our fifth grade boys flag football team, under the leadership of Coaches Lotts and Pearce, had a very competitive year. It’s always fun watching fifth grade teams compete for Buckley for the first time! In the boys' first game, a 12-8 loss against Laurence, they showed they were going to be a competitive and entertaining team to watch. They proved that point in outstanding wins, 26-0 over Laurel Hall and 20-12 over VBS.
 
Our sixth grade class fielded two teams in flag football and two teams in girls basketball. Coach Philman coached the red girls basketball to a highly successful season which finished with a championship match. The team lost only once in league play, a tough match up with Country School, and after an impressive semi final victory over VBS the girls got their rematch with Country. In an extremely close game where the lead changed from team to team, Buckley found themselves down 14-11 in the last 20 seconds. Incredibly Buckley scored a free throw then hit a game tying basket in the dying seconds. The teams continued their battle well into overtime but sadly Buckley fell just short in the second overtime period.
Coach Klay’s grey girls basketball team also had a successful season, highlighted by a highly exciting 11-10 win over VBS in the Buckley Gym. Like their peers, the team advanced to playoffs but unfortunately lost a tough match up to eventual champions Akiba.
 
In flag football, Coach Hamilton led the 6th grade red team in a dominating season. The team played some powerful football and totally overwhelmed their opponents with excellent skill and strong play calling. Their performances concluded with playoff success and another league championship after a 21-6 win over Wise School. Coach Pearce’s grey team had a competitive season. Many of the boys were playing football for the first time and the team showed real growth and improvement throughout the season. The final match up on the last day of the season against VBS was the team’s best performance of the season and showed how far the team had improved throughout the season.
 
In the pool our 5th and 6th grade swimmers performed well under the guidance of Coaches Hehn, Wright, and Kulisek.  The team was a very dynamic group who really improved personal best times throughout the season. Many of the students also swim in the Griffin Swim Club year round and this has definitely contributed to this talented group excelling in the pool.
 
In 7th and 8th grade our girls’ tennis team had another solid season. Playing in the highest division in Delphic League, the team competed against the best local players and Coach Cole was very proud of the effort and progress. The girls battling 4-2 victory over Chaminade clearly demonstrated how far they’d progressed, and this was further highlighted by our doubles team of Zoe S. and Bella S. reaching the semi-finals of the Delphic League Doubles Championships.
 
Back in the pool, our 7th and 8th grade swimmers had the biggest team to date, 35 swimmers strong this fall season. The team performed well in Delphic League and Coaches Hehn, Lotts, and Klay challenged the team to dominate and many students truly exceeded expectations. Leading the way, Alex P. was Delphic League champion in the 25m freestyle, as well as 3rd in the 25m backstroke, while Holden G. placed 3rd in the 100m freestyle. In the relays, Manning H., Victor K., Niko L., and Holden G. placed 3rd in both the 200m medley relay and 200m freestyle relay, while in the 100m freestyle relay Alex P., Andrew K., Max Y., and Max H. finished 3rd.
 
In 7th and 8th grade cross country the students had a very enjoyable and successful season. Coaches Allan and Lotts were delighted with the progress of the team; students running cross country in the fall heat deserve an awful lot of praise and credit for their dedication. The team saved their best performance until the last race, league finals at Pierce College. Out of 165 students Buckley runner Gavin C. finished an outstanding 2nd and team mate Ben B. finished a year best 11th.
 
Our 7th and 8th grade girls basketball program, under the watchful eyes of Coaches Philman and Conley, continues to progress. The varsity team played admirably in a tough league and the 24-6 win over Country showed a lot of character and commitment. Coach Conley’s JV had had a fun season – the girls were very young and inexperienced but had a highly successful season. Wins over Oakwood, Holy Martyrs, and Viewpoint showed that while they were a young team, they could compete with anyone on their day.
 
Our 7th and 8th grade flag football program continues to dominate the leagues. This year, Coaches Hamilton and Holland led the three teams to a combined 18-2 record. Coach Hamilton’s red team excelled with a perfect 5-0 record, including  two spectacular shutout wins over Viewpoint and Oakwood.  Coach Holland’s JV team were very strong in league play, falling only once in a six point loss to Heschel. The Griffins got sweet revenge though, taking down Heschel in the playoff semi-finals. In the Championship game Buckley faced Viewpoint, a team they had narrowly beaten 23-22 in the regular season. The team played a near perfect game and ran out winners 28-12. In the varsity division Buckley started the season with a loss to Viewpoint; not the best way to begin league play but it ended up being the inspiration behind a spectacular season. The team finished league play with a 4-1 record and advanced to playoffs. A dominating 33-6 semi-final victory in the rematch with Viewpoint took the varsity team to yet another final. In dramatic fashion, Buckley led 32-28 against Oakwood – Oakwood had the ball in the final 2 minutes but outstanding defense from Buckley pushed Oakwood back and Buckley gained a safety, the ball back, and a championship won!
 
Fall season flew by and we are now into winter sports practices. The boys play soccer and basketball, while the girls play soccer and softball. Tryouts are presently taking place and teams are being formed. League play begins when we return from winter break in early January.
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