Claremont High School girls basketball lost what looked like an easy win against Glendora on Friday night at CHS. The Pack led the momentum, and the scoring, throughout the first half but Glendora showed their ability to catch up tying Claremont at the half and going ahead when it really counted to win by a score of 44-41.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Boys basketball had a tough go of it over the weekend. In Friday’s league opener on the road, the Pack lost to Ayala 74-62. The Wolfpack played well in the first half, trailing by one basket, 34-32, at the buzzer.

However, Ayala kicked it into high gear in the second half, outscoring Claremont by 10 points to seal the win. Senior Quincy Hailes led all Wolfpack scorers with 16 points, while sophomores Tyler Fraser and Davis Haley chipped in 12 and 10 points each.

On Saturday, the Pack traveled to Serra High in Gardena to play in the Serra Cavalier Classic versus Palos Verdes Peninsula High. In a déjà vu of the Ayala game, the Wolfpack played well in the first half but faded in the second for a final score of 65-54. High point honors went to junior Nakia Harris-Neal with 16 points, while sophomore Tyler Risher contributed 14 points.

Claremont reversed its fortune as they returned to league play at home on Wednesday against Diamond Bar. Sophomore Kyle Scalmanini led the charge with 18 points, followed by Harris-Neal’s 16 points, as the Pack decisively defeated the Brahmas, 75-50. Other top scorers include Davis Haley and Quincy Hailes, who each had 10 points. Harris-Neal had a great night, adding eight assists and five rebounds to his game stats. Scalmanini had six rebounds and four assists.

Next up is a home game Friday against Glendora.

WRESTLING

Wolfpack wrestling had its season opener Thursday at home against Ayala. CHS for the first time in many years fielded all three levels for competition with a Frosh/Soph, junior varsity and varsity team. With only five returning varsity wrestlers out of 14 weight classes, the Pack was no match for Ayala and lost 18-58. Many first-year wrestlers received a taste of varsity and junior varsity intensity. First-year senior wrestler Peyrun Em Twogood received a bye and is looking very promising for CIF contention.

Dina Marron at 132 took a fifth place medal at the Bonita Girls Bearcat Tournament over the weekend. With 197 girls in 14 weight classes competing in the tournament, she went 3-1, which is a fine result.

Wrestling had their second Palomares League match Thursday at CHS.

MORE GIRLS BASKETBALL

Claremont girls basketball lost their league opener to Ayala on Friday night by a score of 60-24. The Pack hosted Diamond Bar on Wednesday and had a better game, but still came up short at 44-29.

GIRLS SOCCER

Girls soccer lost their season opener to Ayala on Friday in overtime. Claremont scored first with a goal by senior Ryley Settles, with an assist from junior Karsyn Jordan, but Ayala tied in the second half that forced the game into overtime. Ayala found the net once more and captured the win 2-1.

The Pack followed up their disappointing start to league play with a 2-1 win over Diamond Bar on Wednesday at CHS. In a repeat of the Ayala game, the teams were tied at one goal apiece at the end of regulation. However, this time it was the Pack that scored in overtime. Goals came from Settles, who also had an assist, and Katie Weaver.

BOYS?SOCCER

Boys soccer may be the only Claremont team that defeated Ayala last week. The Pack scored a decisive victory over the Bulldogs with three goals, all in the second half, and shut out the competition for a final score of 3-0. The night’s top performance came from Justin Munevar who had one goal and one assist. Also scoring were Mateo Pacheco and Jack Kolodge.

Diamond Bar was more of a challenge for the boys, who were stuck in a 1-1 tie after regulation time and two overtime periods. Claremont’s goal came from Mauricio Aguilar with an assist from Eli Andrade.

—Steven Felschundneff

steven@claremont-courier.com