Nordhoff Softball Wins Back-To-Back Games

The Lady Ranger Softball team won two much needed games to improve their record to 7-7 on the season, snapping a five game losing streak in the process. Monday's victim was a very solid Oxnard team that sported a 10-7 record on the season. The Rangers won 2-1 in a very tight contest. This afternoon, NHS traveled to take on Grace Brethren and shut out the Lancers 7-0. The Rangers squad will host rival Oaks Christian on Thursday at 3:30pm. See Friday's edition for more details on the Lady Ranger's win streak.

Thacher Loses Thriller To Faith Baptist

Thacher and Faith Baptist locked horns in yet another epic athletic event, this time it was baseball. Faith Baptist jumped all over the Toads in the top of the first inning; the score was 4-0 before Thacher was able to record an out. Thacher would battle back to tie the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the fifth, and took the lead 7-6 in the sixth inning when Griffin Triplett scored the go-ahead run. The celebration was short lived, however. The Contenders capitalized on a couple of Thacher miscues and took a 9-7 lead into the bottom of the seventh. Thacher was unable to rally and the Contenders skipped town with the win. See Wednesday's edition to read more about this exciting game.

Cate Scores Two In Bottom Of Sixth To Beat Toads In Boys' Baseball

Thacher traveled to Carpinteria to take on the Cate Rams in a key Condor League match up. The Toads jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but Cate clawed their way back into the game and tied the game at 3-3 after four innings. Thacher once again took the lead in the fifth before eventually falling to the Rams 5-4. Quinn Hacker had a gutty performance on the mound for the Toads. For more information on this game, check out the Wednesday edition of the OVN.

Rangers Get All Tri-Valley Honors

Five Nordhoff Ranger basketball players were recently recognized by the Tri-Valley League for their outstanding play this season. The players were:

Logan Vogt: First Team
Jon Bower: Second Team
John Espinoza: Second Team
Dan Smith: Honorable Mention
Eric Banks: Honorable Mention

Carney Awarded Coach of the Year Honor

Thacher boys' basketball coach Jason Carney was awarded the CIF-SS Division VA Coach of the Year award this week. The Toads were 14-5 this season. For a run-down of players receiving All-CIF awards, see Wednesday's edition.

NHS Defeats Hueneme 5-1

Brittany Puildo pitched a two-hitter and hit a homerun as the Lady Rangers' softball team beat Hueneme 5-1. Freshman Brook Marquez and Shelbi Stallings also hit homers in the winning effort.

NHS Softball Wins First Game

The Lady Rangers traveled to Santa Barbara to play San Marcos and won 6-0. The Rangers scored six runs on seven hits and did not commit any errors. The Royals committed five errors and the Lady Rangers were able to capitalize on those mistakes en route to their first win of the season. See Friday's edition for additional information.

Are You Ready For Some Baseball?

Local area baseball and softball teams are kicking off their long awaited seasons starting this week. To see previews of each team and who to watch, check the coming editions of the Ojai Valley News. Results and stats will be posted here as they become available.

Poor Third Quarter Does In 'Nova

The Villanova girls' basketball team fell to Village Christian tonight in the CIF-SS Division V semi-final game, 52-31. The Lady Wildcats were within striking range after the first half, but Village Christian outscored VPS 18-2 in the third quarter. See Wednesday's edition for additional stats and information.

Thacher's Championship Run Ends

The Thacher boys' basketball team had their sights set on the CIF-SS Division VA Championship, but that dream came to an end tonight as Rosamond defeated the Toads 47-26. Thacher was unable to get into a rhythm on offense and the Roadrunners' pressure defense forced the Toads into too many turnovers. Rosamond outscored Thacher 16-5 in the second quarter and built on their lead from there. Thacher was paced by Drew Cole and Bennett Kissel with nine points each. See next Wednesday's edition for the full story and additional stats and quotes.

Friday Night Playoff Basketball

The Thacher Toads will take on the Rosamond Roadrunners Friday night at Nordhoff High School in the CIF-SS Division VA semi-finals. Tip off is scheduled to 7:30pm. Come out and support the Toads as they attempt to qualify for the championship game.

Thacher Advances In Style!!

Those that decided to take a drive to Malibu tonight to catch the Thacher Toads take on the Malibu Sharks were treated to a good old fashion high school basketball game. The Thacher boys' team pulled out a thrilling road win, 46-38. Malibu got out to a quick 11-3 lead, but the Toads caught up and went into halftime with a three point lead. The game was in doubt right up to the finals seconds, but Thacher was able to advance on to the semi-finals. Drew Cole was the hero for Thacher as he scored 17 points, and really kept his team in the game early on.

Thacher will advance to take on the winner of Villanova and Rosamond. The semi-finals will take place on Friday night. Check Friday's edition for the exciting recount of Thacher's win and more information on their semi-final opponent.

Lady Rangers Fall To Notre Dame

The NHS girls' basketball squad fell short in their bid to advance in the CIF-SS playoffs tonight when they lost to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks 51-40. The Rangers played hard and cut the Knights' lead to single digits a couple of times, but the outside shooting of Notre Dame ultimately did in the Rangers. The Knights were led by Alexis Glassman who scored 20 points. Chloe Bunker continued her terrific play as she scored 19 points and grabbed 11 boards. See Wednesday's edition for more stats and quotes from head coach Ted Cotti.

Toads Advance To Quarterfinals

Call them the Road Warriors. The Thacher boys' basketball team traveled to Kern County to take on Kern Valley and left with a 49-36 win." We spent four hours on a bus and it showed in our play early," said head coach Jason Carney. With the score 16-12 at half time, the Toads opened up on offense and began to pull away. "Chris Thomas and Drew Cole were huge for us tonight," said Carney. Thomas finished with 18 points and Cole added 15. Carney added, "Our half court defense was stellar, as it has been all season."

The Toads will hit the road once again on Tuesday to take on Malibu in a quarterfinal match up. Thacher defeated Malibu earlier this year in an intense game.

Thacher Whips San Fernando Valley Academy

The Thacher boys' basketball team defeated San Fernando Valley Academy 62-34 tonight in their first round playoff game. The Toads jumped all over the Huskies early and the game was over by the half. Chris Thomas led the Toads with 17 points. See the Wednesday edition for the full story and more stats as well as Thacher's second round opponent.

Rangers Are Champs!

The NHS girls' basketball team earned the title of 2007 Tri-Valley League Co-Champions tonight with a 45-31 win over Bishop Diego. The Lady Rangers will share the title with Oaks Christian because both teams were 10-2 in league play.

The Rangers were slow out of the gate tonight, but rallied behind junior Allie Clifford and her 23 points. Clifford also added 10 rebounds. Senior Megan Swann had 10 assists and nine steals in her final regular season home game. Swann eclipsed the 1,000 career point mark late in the third quarter tonight as well. Nicole Bergmann added 14 points.

The drawing for the CIF playoffs will take place this weekend. Nordhoff's opponent will be reported late Sunday afternoon.

Rangers Win Thriller

The Nordhoff boys' basketball team won a hotly contested game against Tri-Valley League rival Bishop Diego 56-54 tonight. The game was in doubt right up to the final buzzer. The Rangers had the 56-54 lead when the Cardinals' Jeremy Kjar was fouled with :01 remaining in the game. Kjar missed the first of two free throws putting an end to Bishop Diego's comeback attempt.

The Rangers were led in scoring by Logan Vogt (15 points), Garrett Graham (13 points), Dan Smith (10 points), and Eric Banks (nine points). Ian Kretzer added 10 rebounds and guard John Espinoza dished out eight assists.
The Rangers will play their final home game of the season Monday night against a very good Oak Park team.

Remembering The Steamer

You are invited to leave a recollection of our late legend and friend, Bud Furillo.

Previously posted comments can be seen at:
OVN Postings: Remembering The Steamer

Pulido Student Of Month

Danielle Pulido, a sixth-grader at Meiners Oaks Elementary School, was honored as the Physical Education Project Student of the Month. She was given a $50 savings bond and was recognized at the Rotary Club of Ojai meeting. Pulido's principal, Rotarian Marty Babayco, introduced her. Both parents — Joe Pulido, a police officer, and Dana, an elementary school teacher — were there.