2013 HERE THEY COME

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By Robert Balajadia

A new years resolution comes in many facets but the 2012 defending champions in boys basketball, boys and girls rugby, boys tennis, and girls softball are hoping that a new year does not come with a new champion.

2013 defending champs:

Boys Basketball – GW Geckos

Boys Rugby – FD Friars

Girls Rugby – GW Geckos

Boys Tennis – FD Friars

Girls Softball – Southern Dolphins

Ballin’ Geckos

After a 34-year title drought, the Geckos delivered a masterful performance in the 2012 championship game by defeating the Friars 47-29. The Friars pulled off what many considered a big upset by beating the Okkodo Bulldogs in a thrilling semifinals match before getting blown up by the stingy Gecko defense.

Despite losing ball handlers and vicious attacking guards like Valiant Borja and Lance Gogue coach Lawrence Luces believes the offense will find itself since anyone on the team can score.  The biggest issue for him is getting back to the defensive dominance his team put on display last year.

“Getting everyone on the same page is going to be our biggest challenge. I do have five returnees who can start but incorporating all the new guys in our defensive scheme is going to be tough,” Luces stated.

Being the defending champs means no one is going to take them for granted but aside from the fact that every team is out to get GW this year Luces has taken great awareness towards teams poised for a big year.

“FD is definitely going to be a tough team this year because they are always well coached and the St. John’s Knights are also dangerous because they have guys like Archie [Flores] and [Reed] Meyer. If I’m not mistaken, they’ve also added more players.”

Perfect FIN-ish

The Southern Dolphins girl’s softball team went 11-0 in 2012, including winning the championship, making it a year to remember. Beating the JFK Islanders 9-4 cemented their unbeaten streak setting the tone for a run at another title.

A delay in getting the team together has put Coach Roman Aguero in a bind having yet to see his squad practice. Settling in the right state of mind, however, is something he is more than prepared to do.

“I tell the girls that even though you are champs do not take anyone lightly. We are going to get back to the basics with the mindset that anyone can beat us if we don’t play hard,” stated Aguero.

The team flying high on Aguero’s radar as far as possible toughest opponent is the GW Geckos.

FD Rugby Dynasty

The Friars have had the high school rugby scene on lock down winning the past four championships.  A close match between the GW Geckos nearly had the trophy shift hands but a second half comeback secured title number four for FD beating the Geckos 10-7.

Despite a late exit in the 2012 football season, the boys play a different ball game without the pads. Coach Paul Claros is poised to lead the Friars to a fifth title amongst a talented boys league.

Lady Geckos Rugby

2012 third quarter sports turned out great for GW having won two titles in a span of 24 hours.  Just a day after the boys took the basketball crown, the girls took down a tough Southern Dolphins team 14-12 en route to a title of their own.

The lady Geckos have been a staple in the sport, considered to be a threat to win a title every year.  The team will be without key players Kimberly Taguacta and Crystal Aguon this season.

Friars 48 – Love

As far as winning streaks go, the FD Friars dominance over the high school tennis scene has been ultra impressive to say the least.  Beating the Knights in the championship game 31-21 gave the Friars their fourth title in a row also going unbeaten in the four year span.

Friars Kenta Tanimoto and Knights David Okuhama gave fans a battle for the ages as the St. John’s freshman took out the FD senior with a close 8-7 win.

Can the Friars continue their unbelievable winning streak or does a team out there plan to close the book on their dynasty?  One things certain, the Friars have no plans on losing anytime soon.

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