The Liberty Charter High School girls basketball team does things a little different. But those differences have assisted the Lady Lions to the top of their game — and the top of the San Diego Section Division V-AA rankings.
“Our goal is to plan, prepare and play to win every game,” Liberty Charter coach Sewell Dunton said. “However, our purpose is greater than our goal; and that is to develop young women of excellent character both on and off the court.”
Top returners include junior guard Angie Carreon, junior center Kay McHenry, junior forward Naomi Rodriguez, sophomore forward Laura Rodriguez and sophomore guard Nitya Gutierrez.
Carreon returns as a second team all-league performer. She was the Alpine school’s athlete of the month for December.
Impact newcomers include freshman guard Maddi Avant and senior guard Kaiya McKay.
“Our specific goal this year is to win league and go deep into the playoffs,” Dunton said.
“We are well on our way to achieving that goal. Our current record is 13-0 and we are ranked No.1 in CIF Division 5-AA. We are in the midst of a rare streak. There are 116 varsity teams in San Diego County, but at this point we are the only undefeated team.
“More importantly though, is that we have great team chemistry, and the girls are improving their skills each week through hard work and dedication.”
The Lady Lions competed in the Frontier-Sierra League and have quickly bounded out to a 3-0 league record with wins over Preuss/UCSD (38-23 on Jan. 15), Gompers Prep (49-14 on Jan. 20) and High Tech High Chula Vista (54-39 on Jan. 22).
The three league wins are part of an overall 13-game winning streak to tip off the season. Chula Vista Learning Community Charter rounds out the five-team league.
Home games are played at Joan MacQueen Middle School on Tuesday and Thursday. Regular season games extend through Feb. 12.
Foothills Christian (12-6) and San Diego Academy (7-5) following Liberty Charter in the division rankings. Calipatria (3-11) amd West Shores (5-4), Bonsall (5-7), High Tech High North County (2-11) and Ocean View Christian Academy (3-9) and CVLCC ((3-9) and Borrego Springs (2-6) fill out the top 10.
The top 12 teams in the division qualify for next month’s San Diego Section playoffs.
“One thing that is unique to our program is that we teach a character lesson at every practice,” Dunton said. “We believe that athletics is the last classroom of the day. We also started a tradition that we call the fifth quarter. After every home game we gather both teams in the center of the court; invite parents and fans to gather around; and the players and coaches give shout-outs to the other team — complimenting them on their play, effort and sportsmanship.
“We always close that out with a ‘family’ cheer on three. Our attitude is that we are not competing ‘against’ another team, but rather with the other team. The true competition lies in how much better we can become as basketball players and good people.”
Hear them roar
Though not undefeated, the Liberty Charter boys basketball team also occupies the No. 1 ranking among the section’s Division V-AA teams. The Lions (12-5) entered the week 5-0 in the Frontier-Patriot League standings.
Top performers include senior Duke Dengerink (13.2 points per game), sophomore Iden Naami (10.9 points per game), junior Henry Applequist (9.7 points per game), senor Max Gutierrez (8.8 points per game) and junior Jayvin Cousins (6.9 points per game).
Dengerink leads the team in rebounds (4.4 per game) while Applequist leads the team in assists (3.2 per game) and Naami leads the team in steals (1.4 per game).
National City’s San Diego Academy follows Liberty Charter in the division rankings at No. 2 with a 9-6 overall record. Next up are No. 3 Warner (16-4), No. 4 Calvin Christian (10-7) and No. 5 Horizon Prep (17-5) – all teams with winning records.
There are 18 teams in the division, 12 of which make the playoffs. Postseason play should be interesting with so many talented teams, the Lions obviously included.
Santa Fe Christian (19-2), Victory Christian Academy (16-4), San Marcos (16-5), Francis Parker (12-9), La Costa Canyon (16-6), Mira Mesa (16-6), Mission Bay (14-8) and Olympian (17-4) entered the week as the eight Open Division hopefuls.
The remaining Division I title could be up for grabs between Cathedral Catholic (14-8), Torrey Pines (11-10), Madison (15-6), St. Augustine (11-11), Bonita Vista (16-6) and Christian (14-8). It’s a stacked field.
Division II leaders include No. 1 Poway (15-7), No. 2 Rancho Bernardo (13-9), Nov. 3 Scripps Ranch (12-11), No. 4 Westview (14-8), No. 5 Helix (13-10), No. 6 Patrick Henry (15-7), No. 7 Pt. Loma (13-7) and No. 8 Mater Dei Catholic (9-9).
East County teams in prime position to vie for division titles include No. 2 West Hills (16-6), No. 5 Valhalla (15-7) and No. 7 Santana (13-8) among Division IV teams as well as No. 6 Grossmont (9-9) and No. 7 El Cajon Valley (10-9) among Division V teams.
