The Hart Middle School cheer squad was crowned grand champions at the United Spirit Association Championships in Sacramento this weekend. That means they earned the highest score of all 32 teams in nine divisions–including Amador Valley and San Ramon Valley and other high school squads. To make that victory even sweeter, the 20 seventh and eighth grade cheerleaders also won first place in the junior high school show cheer division.
Hart’s girls basketball triumph over 16 Bay Area teams The Hart Middle School eighth grade girls basketball team emerged as the champions of the 12th Annual SANCRA Basketball tournament sponsored by the city of Palo Alto. The tournament is held annually and represents 16 teams from all over the Bay Area.
The Huskies swept four-straight games en route to the tournament title. On Saturday, they opened with a 49-5 victory over Selby Land Middle School of Atherton and then beat James Madison of Oakland 38 -16. In Sunday’s semi-finals the Huskies, after falling behind early 8-6, rallied and defeated Campbell Middle School 27-12.
In the finals, Hart faced Cunha Middle School from Half Moon Bay, which was the runner-up team in the competitive Palo Alto Middle School Basketball League and had averaged 45 points a game in the tournament.
“We had seen them play their semi-final game and were impressed with their offensive sets and their size, so we wanted to create some turnovers early and then convert those turnovers into points,” Hart Coach O.C. Schott said, “Fortunately, we were able to do that and everything else fell into place the rest of the game. I give the players all the credit, they picked the right time to play a perfect game.” Hart went to record a 38-12 victory to take home the championship.
Anissa Mendez was awarded the tournament MVP and Andrea Tanada picked up a first team all tournament award. The Huskies defense was led by Annie Amos, Maddie Biehl, Vivian Climent, Kristen DesPrez, Marianna Irby, Courtney Kyer, Alex Matsu-Buen, Kara Schott, and Alex Villanueva.
Hart now resumes play in the local Tri-Valley Athletic League where they will play out the remaining seven games of the regular season and then participate in playoffs.
CCOP wins tough match-up
CCOP (#7009) played one of their best games of the season against a tough opponent and brought home a well earned victory. CCOP was down by one point at the half, then took the lead in the third quarter–and battled to the end, with both teams fighting for the win. The high scorer was Marisa Victor with 10 points, playing a very physical game. CCOP’s record now stands at 6-4, which will the team hopes will earn them a spot in the CYO championships. Final score: CCOP: 32, St. Isadores (#7006): 30.
