BOYS?BASKETBALL

Claremont boys basketball showed composure and a fluid offensive unit at last weekend’s Sonora Tournament, finishing with 2 wins and a loss. First the Wolfpack beat Downey in double overtime 86-80, and then followed up by beating Diamond Bar 44-32. In the Pack’s final game against King, they could not recover from a rough 2nd quarter. Claremont lost 65-61 to close out the weekend. Top performances in the game were from Omar Mahmoud, who had 21 points and 4 assists, and Max Allen, who scored 14 points. The Wolfpack will travel to Ontario on Wednesday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m.

GIRLS?SOCCER

Claremont girls soccer split their tournament games last weekend, falling short of winning the Claremont Holiday Classic. The Wolfpack defeated Ramona Convent by a 6-0 score line. Claremont moved on to play Orange Lutheran, who have won 5 games on the trot. The Wolfpack allowed 2 first-half goals on the way to a 3-0 loss. The Pack’s next tournament is in San Gorgonio, which begins Wednesday, December 26.

WRESTLING

Claremont wrestling took 4th place at the Gabrielino 10-team Tournament last weekend. The Wolfpack won 8 individual medals, with Anthony Dominguez and Derek Russell winning 1st and 2nd place in their respective weight classes. Claremont will host South Hills today, Wednesday, December 19, at 5 p.m., in their first league test of the season. Claremont also sent female wrestler Clarissa Garcia to a meet in Azusa. Garcia performed well in the all-girls 152 pound weight class, winning 2 matches on her way to a second place finish at the tournament.

Webb wrestling has improved its early-season form. After losing their first few matches, the Gauls bounced back with an easy 57-13 win over Duarte, and another landslide win against St. Paul, 51-24. Bobby Gonzales and Lucas Pagac won key matches to solidify Webb’s first win of the season. Webb travels to Whittier Christian this Wednesday, December 19 at 4 p.m.

WEBB?SOCCER

Webb boys soccer put in a combined 7 goals against Don Bosco and Crean Lutheran, and allowed none. The Gauls beat Don Bosco 3-0, and Crean 4-0 to stay undefeated on the season. Webb’s first real test is against defending Prep League champion Chadwick this week, then the Gauls close out 2012 at St. Michael’s on Thursday, December 20 at 3 p.m.

Vivian Webb girls soccer won a tough road game against Big Bear, but lost its first league game to Mayfield. McKenna Lamb scored a clever individual goal to give VWS the 1-0 victory against Big Bear. Against Mayfield, the Gauls gave up a goal in each half, and dropped the game 2-0. Vivian Webb closes out the year with league matches against Chadwick, and at home against Flintridge this Thursday, December 20 at 3:15 pm.

CHS baseball alum signs for pro team

Claremont High baseball player Matt Anderson (class of 2009) made a leap in his career last week, signing a deal to play with the Seattle Mariners.

Anderson made the switch to the varsity level his sophomore year in high school, playing catcher and infielder before trying out pitching. Anderson’s versatility on the diamond meant that he played a number of different positions before finding the one most conducive to his team’s success.

At Chaffey College, Anderson quickly became indispensable. He was voted MVP at the third base position. After his first year, Anderson made the conversion to pitcher. He then transferred to Long Beach State for his final years of eligibility, spending most of the time pitching.

Anderson went undrafted by Major League teams, and began playing collegiate summer ball for the Palm Springs Power. It was here that Anderson’s stock rose dramatically, including pitching a no-hitter and an 18-strikeout game, among other impressive performances. Mariner scouts liked his “stuff” after putting a radar gun on one of Anderson’s fastballs, and gave him an offer to play rookie ball in Arizona.

He begins spring training with his new team in February.

—Chris Oakley

sports@claremont-courier.com