The Annual Triton Family Summer BBQ is on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at Tierra Grande Park in Talega.  5pm.
Hamburgers and Hot Dogs Provided
Varsity team please bring Drinks
JV team please bring Side Dishes (salads/chips/dips)
Sophomore team please bring Dessert
Freshman team please bring paper plates, utensils, cups
**More details to come**

The Triton Varsity Boys Basketball team traveled up to La Canada in the worst weather storm since they have been Tritons.  This did not hinder the effort, enthusiasm or determination against the heavily favored La Canada Spartans.  San Clemente competed in a sea-saw battle through the first three quarter of this game, with lead changing multiple times throughout.  The game was held on the Spartans home court in front of a large, loud crowd.  The tone of the announcer and certain Spartan players were at times antagonistic.  They were trying to intimidate and get into the heads of our players from the tipoff.  San Clemente showed poise, control and just played basketball.  Knowing these experienced Triton players, you would expect nothing less.  At the beginning of the fourth quarter is when the Spartans made their run.  With the Spartan coach gambling on playing their top big man with 4 personal fouls, the Tritons were not able to capitalize.  A couple of key defensive plays and deep threes by the Spartans was enough for them to take control of the game and a double-digit lead.  That lead was just too much for the Tritons to overcome.  The 2017 San Clemente Triton Varsity Players are a special group.  They are a group of selfless, supportive, motivated and caring young men.  They all wanted to make their coaches, teammates, parents, and fans proud.   Those are all traits that will carry them successfully forward in their future goals and endeavors.  We couldn’t be more proud of this group of players.  It has been an incredible ride!  The leading scorer for the Tritons was Blake Birmingham 15, Isaac Rex 12, Michael Moran 10, Kurt Crapo 4, Jacob Nemeth 4, Roberto Medrano 4, Chris Kane 2, Jimmy Varos 2.

The 2017 Triton Varsity Team faced a familiar foe who has beaten them in their previous two CIF Playoff games.  This years matchup had a different result.  The Tritons appeared a little flat in the first quarter.  Downey controlled the pace of the game, hit their threes, and forced the Tritons to work hard to get a good offensive shot.  Then in the second quarter the Tritons started to find their groove.  Their offense started to flow and they were able to get some stops on defense.  They took the lead and unlike  the last four games led at halftime up by 6 points.  They cruised into the fourth quarter up by 5.  If it wasn't for Downey's sharp shooting guards this game would not have been as close as the final score showed.  Two of the key three point shots down the stretch were contested, deep and one luckily banked in. Please support our players and wish them well, as the will play Friday night 7 pm at La Canada High.  Leading the tritons in scoring was Blake Birmingham 26, Kane 9, Rex 7, Moran 7, Nemeth 7, Medrano 7, Crapo 3.

San Clemente, at home on Tuesday in their final league matchup against the Tesoro Titons, showed what they were capable of when they get their act together.  Down early, Coach Schefter once again called timeout half way through the first quarter to get the team back on track.  Down by as much as 12 they were still down 21-10 after the first quarter.  Things didn't get much better in the second quarter.  The Tritons still trailed Trabuco by 10 at the half 35-25.  With more of the same at the start of the third quarter, Coach Schefter called timeout, shifted gears and changed defense.  In what turned out to be a decisive quarter, the young Tritons suffocated the Titons, finishing out a 16-4 quarter and taking the lead from Trabuco 41-39.  The fourth quarter went back and fourth with both teams trading trips up and down the court including three threes from one of Trabuco's big men.  In one of the few, and possibly only, games where the Tritons had an advantage going to the stripe, fouls and free-throws mattered.  While in the bonus, San Clemente went 5-8 from the free-throw line, helping them secure a share of the league title and the win 56-54.  Congratulations boys!  High scorer for the game was Nate Gerkin with 12 points.  Cole Selby was the only other Triton in double figures with 10 points.  Other Tritons tickling the twine were: Harris 8, Carlin 8, Monshietehadi 6, Sherrell 5, Ashe 3, Gibbons 2, Tomlinson 2.

Trito n Basketball Family:
 
                As we enter the last week of the season, teams at all levels are competing at a high level!  It’s great to see us finishing on such high notes as a program.  A few pieces of business to be taken care of at the end of the season:
 
Uniform Turn-In:  After the final games on Thursday, please find time to wash your jerseys and hang dry them.  All uniforms will be turned in on Monday, February 13th at Lunch in my classroom, 403.  This is mandatory  for all lower level players (F/S/JV) in the program.  We will be having a short meeting as well about Spring basketball. 
 
6th Period:  We will resume having regular 6th period basketball class when the Varsity playoff run is complete.  Until that time, the class will remain a 7th period class and we will not meet until the varsity season is over.
 
Spring Sports:  If you play a spring sport (Track, VB, Baseball, Tennis, etc.) you will not be released to your spring sport until your uniform turn in is complete and you meet with Coach Popovich.
 
Spring Basketball:  We will be looking to put together teams to compete in club events/tournaments throughout the spring. If you are looking for the “club experience” but without the club prices, Coach King and Coach Montecinos will be putting some teams together. If you are interested, please let Coach King know by emailing him at mattking1526@gmail.com. 
 
Thanks,
 
Marc Popovich
San Clemente High School
World History/ AP US History
Boys Basketball Head Coach
 
Tritonbasketball.com
​

San Clemente had held El Toro to only 2 points in the first period, as the Tritons had no problem taking El Toro down in an easy win at home. Steals, blocked shots and rebounds led SC to take control early in the game and kept El Toro to only 8 points by the half. SC headed into the second half with a 16 point lead over El Toro, and did not let up, finishing the game 56-37.  Ihani and Smetona led the scoring at home over the cross county league rivals. Tuesday night SC heads into the next game against Tesoro with a crack at the league title...  Ihani 12pts/2rbs, Smetona 11pts/5rbs, Marshall 7pts/3rbs, Ames 6pts/ 2rbs, Barbernell 6pts/0rbs, Herbert 4pts/8rbs, Medrano 4pts/3rbs, Young 4pts/2rbs, Chins 2pts/0rbs, Walker 0pts/6rbs, Lewis 0pts/4rbs

​What comes around goes around. The Triton sophs visited El Toro Friday night in the second of their two league matchups and the Chargers decided to give the Tritons a dose of their own medicine. El Toro came looking for a hard take take down of the Tritons, now tied for first in the league, after their own devastating loss to the Tritons in the first league matchup this season.  San Clemente came out shaky, unable to find their rhythm, so much so that Coach Schefter called timeout after less than 3 minutes into the game.  The Tritons trailed by 2, 13-11 after 1 quarter of play.  Ethan Sherrell once again kept San Clemente alive turning into quite the rainmaker as he exploded for 11 points in the second quarter making it rain from behind the arc.  The Tritons headed into the locker room at half time with a one point lead 26-25.  The struggles continued in the second half as the scrappy Chargers disrupted the San Clemente offense, stole the ball and found open shots.  Tied 37-37 after three, the Tritons looked to find something, anything, to put El Toro away.  It came in the form of missed Charger free throws down the stretch.  El Toro missed 8 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter allowing San Clemente to muscle in for some defensive rebounds and scrap together enough points to secure the win 52-48.  Ethan Sherrell was the high scorer for the game with 16 points (5 rb).  Cole Selby was the only other Triton in double figures with 11 points (6 rb).  Other Tritons helping secure the win: Harris 9 pts/4 rb, Carlin 7 pts/6 rb, Monshietehadi 5 pts/5 rb, Gerkin 4 pts/2 rb

​In front of large and vociferous home crowd, the 2017 San Clemente Varsity beat El Toro 54-46 to clinch their third consecutive League Title.  Prior to the Season most opposing Coaches, Writers and Players had this years Triton team coming 4th place in league.  Our players, coaches and fans believed otherwise and knew that this team would compete.  The core group of this year’s team had played together for a long time.  The have a great cohesiveness and truly are team players.  They care for each other and are all happy for the successes of their teammates.  Each and everyone of player is ready, willing and able to step up.  This is a special group of young men.  The goal now is to finish strongly and move up in the CIF rankings.  This game was a revenge game as the Chargers were the Tritons only league loss this season.  The game was close throughout.  The Chargers had a 5 point lead at halftime.  This game played out similarly to the game vs Trabuco two nights before.  The Tritons then had a shut down third quarter, holding El Toro to only 2 points.  This is when San Clemente took control of the game and the league title.  Once these boys had the lead,  you could feel that there was no turning back.  They cruised to an 8 point victory.  Please continue to support this team.  Our next games are Tuesday 7 pm at Tesoro and Thursday 7 pm at home vs Mission Viejo ( Senior Night).  Leading scorer for San Clemente was Blake Birmingham 19, Moran 13, Kane 7, Medrano 6, Nemeth 5, Crapo 2, Martino 2.

The Triton Freshman get a big second half out of their Bigs, outscoring El Toro 31-17.  Leading scorer for San Clemente was Luke Powell 15, Egbert 14, Herrod 5, Regalado 5, Brail 3, Harris 3, Hegewald 2.

Coach Schefter gave a master class in coaching before and during this game.  The boys executed his plan with a vengeance.  After getting blown out in the first meeting, and coincidentally the first league game, against Trabuco, the sophomore Tritons proceeded to rattle off five straight wins by an average of 17 points.  Then it was time for the rematch.  The Mustangs had yet to lose a game all season and were heavy favorites going into the game.  It was considered a good sign that San Clemente only trailed by 5 points 12-7 after the first quarter.  Cole Selby took advantage of situations that were set up for him to be the lone scorer for the quarter.  Then it was time for the shooters. The Tritons tickled the twine in the second quarter with clutch shooting from Ethan Sherrell and Kian Monshietehadi from behind the arc and some extra help from Miguel Ashe and McClay Gibbons.  San Clemente surged to lead at halftime 26-19.  There was tension in the air as there were still 16 minutes of game time left to play.  Trabuco clawed back at the start of the third quarter closing the gap to 2 points before the Tritons were able to drop some key shots from Rian Harris, Caleb Carlin and the ever-steady Cole Selby.  San Clemente headed into the final quarter still leading 44-36.  Then it got louder and louder until Trabuco finally took the lead from the Tritons with less than two minutes remaining in the game.  Late heroics from Ethan Sherrell kept the Tritons alive.  The two teams traded possessions and baskets with a jump ball and two questionable calls going against the Tritons in the final seconds.  But there were still several seconds left on the clock.  A timeout was called.  San Clemente trailed 49-50 with Trabuco taking the ball out of bounds underneath their own basket.  Lock-down defense forced the Mustangs to throw over the top almost to half court where Miguel Ashe was able to tip the ball into the waiting hands of a teammate.  Timeout.  10 seconds left.  San Clemente gets the ball inbounds.  Trabuco fouls.  Less than six seconds left.  San Clemente once more gets the ball inbounds and gets it into the hands of Kian Monshietehadi at half court where he is somehow able to get across half court, split two defenders and make it to the basket, banking it off the glass and into the basket at the buzzer.  Tritons win 51-50.  Cue mayhem.  Cole Selby led all scorers with 20 pts/11 rb.  Ethan Sherrell was the other Triton in double figures with 11 pts/6 rb.  Other scoring: Harris 6, Carlin 5, Monshietehadi 5, Ashe 2, Gibbons 2.

The Triton Varsity took care of business in the most important game of the season.  Both the Tritons and Mustangs came out tight in the first period.   Then the Mustangs took control of the game in the early part of the second period.  With seconds remaining before halftime San Clemente cuts the Mustangs lead to 5 points.  Trabuco Hills student body had an extended half time show that left little time for warm ups.  This actually may have cooled down the hot shooting Mustangs.  San Clemente came out strong in the third period led by Isaac Rex and took an 8 point lead early, forcing the Mustangs to call a timeout to regroup and slow down the Triton offense.  San Clemente never looked back en route to the 59-50 win.  Leading scorer for San Clemente was Blake Birmingham 21, Rex 9, Moran 9, Medrano 8, Kane 5, Nemeth 3, Crapo 2.

The Freshman Team had a huge game by sharp shooting Caiden Donham.  Donham connected on 5 three pointers in the game on route to a season high 24 points. Also scoring for the Tritons was Cuevas 12, Garff 6, Anawalt 2, Sroka 2, King 2, Colbert 2.

Triton Frosh get a fast start from their starting lineup.  They Jumped out to a 39-17 halftime lead, then never looked back.  Leading Scorer for the Tritons was Spencer Egbert with 17 points, Hegewald 8, Harris 8, Powell 8, Harrod 5, Hollibaugh 3, Regalado 3, Cuevas 2, Rex 2.

Andrew Herbert has a break out game on the road against Trabuco Hills High School scoring 22 points.  Herbert lit up the score board early in the game knocking down 18 points in the first half. SC lead by 8, heading into the half and continued that lead throughout the rest of the game. The Tritons were able to maintain their lead the entire game, keeping the Mustangs at bay with strong defense, ball control and consistence shooting. Herbert 22pts/7rbs, Smetona 12pts/1 rbs, Walker 11pts/ 9rbs, Ihani 7pts/2rbs, Medrano 6pts/2rbs, Marshall 4pts/4rbs, Young 4pts/1rbs, Ames 4rbs

JV has two scorers in double digits to pull out a WIN over Aliso Niguel at home 48-47. Marshall and Smetona each score 14 points to lead all scorers and secure a much needed win. SC out scored Aliso 18-10 in the first period but was only able to score 2 points in the second, which lead them heading in to the half down by 3 points. With Aliso in foul trouble most of the fourth period SC was able to hold on to the lead and finish a close game at home. Aliso got lucky and hit a couple of last second 3's to tie the game up. With 2.7 sec left in the game Ihani was fouled and sent to the line where he hit one of his two free throws, "the game winner" which kept the game from going into OT... Marshall 14pts/5rbs, Smetona 14pts/3rbs, chin 6pts/2rbs, Ihani 5pts/0rbs, Ames 4pts/4rbs, Herbert 3pts/4rbs, Walker 2pts/2rbs

​An exciting home game, where Anthony Smetona puts the team on his shoulders to led all scorers with 23 points in last night game against Tesoro. Smetona had a break out game last night and would not be denied as he drove paint to score for his team. The Triton's had strong defense in the paint and great rebounding but Tesoro offence was consistent throughout the night scoring 14 points in each of the four periods of play. Triton's had trailed by two points heading into the half but missed on several scoring opportunities early in the 3rd, only scoring 9 points in that period. Tesoro got into foul trouble midway through the fourth period but the Triton's failed to capitalize on that opportunity. Triton's fall to Tesoro 51-56 in a game that came down to the wire. Smetona 23pts/4rbs, Marshall 11pts/9rbs, Young 5pts/2rbs, Ihani 4pts/0rbs, Herbert 3pts/1rbs, Walker 2pts/12rbs, Ames 2pts/6rbs, Medrano 1pt/0rbs

​The Triton Sophomores visited the Aliso Niguel Wolverines Friday night in a league rematch.  The first half showed no signs of a repeat runaway as the Tritons took a meager 1 point lead into halftime 24-23.  San Clemente found their groove in the third quarter keeping Aliso to only 4 points while rattling the iron for 17 taking a comfortable 41-27 lead into the fourth quarter.  The Tritons hold off the Wolverines 52-37. Nate Gerkin was the leading scorer with 14 points and was the only Triton in double figures.  Contributing to the win were: Ashe 9, Selby 8, Harris 6, Monshietehadi 4, O'Connor 3, Gibbons 2, Carlin 2, Tomlinson 2, Sherrell 2

​The Triton Varsity got a big win in a crucial league matchup Friday Night on their home court.  Sending the visiting Wolverines back to their pack in the league standings.  While the Tritons took over sole possession of first place in the South Coast League with a 4-1 record.  Both teams were pumped up for this game.  The Tritons came out strong and had a large double digit lead going into the second half.  The Wolverines bit back with a strong third quarter outscoring San Clemente 22-8. Chris Kane came off the bench and had a huge all around game for the Tritons.  The Wolverines scratched and clawed their way back.  However, they were denied victory by the Triton defense as time expired.  This win gives the Varsity sole possession of first place in the South Coast League.  Please come and support this team.  Next game is Wednesday 7pm at Trabuco Hills.  The Tritons Leading Scorer was Chris Kane 15, Birmingham 13, Nemeth 6, Crapo 5, Medrano 5, Moran 4, Rex 2.

The San Clemente Triton Sophomores visited the Tesoro Titans Wednesday night for the first of their league matchups. San Clemente held Tesoro to only two points in the first quarter and eight in the second for a stingy ten points. The Tritons took advantage of success outside of the paint going into halftime with a 29-10 lead. That momentum carried into the second half and was enough for the win as the Tritons take down Tesoro 53-38.  Rian Harris lead all scorers with 15 and was the only Triton in double figures.  Additional scoring provided by: Tomlinson 7, Gerkin 6, Sherrell 6, Carlin 5, Shelby 4, Gibbons 3, Monshietehadi 3, Ashe 2, Butts 2

The Triton Freshman fight their way back but fall short in loss. San Clemente’s scoring leader Luke Powell 17, Egbert 16, Herrod 5, Regalado 5, Hollibaugh 4, King 2, Rex 1.

The San Clemente Freshman struggle to score in the second half, shooting only 29.2% for the game.  This Triton team also struggled with costly turnovers.  Aliso Niguel was able to capitalize with easy baskets off of those turnovers.  Leading scorer Brennan Garff 12, Colbert 9, Torticill 9, Donham 6, Anawalt 3, Cadoff 2.

San Clemente gave Dana Hills more than they could handle when they visited Dana Point on Saturday evening.  Both the Triton offense and defense seemed to be working as San Clemente took the first quarter 17-11 then pinned the Dolphins down to only 3 points in the second and went into half time leading 34-14.  There was no looking back.  The sophs continued to roll, riding the Dolphins to a 63-33 win.  Ethan Sherrell was the leading scorer for the night and the only Triton in double figures with 10 points.  In all, 12 players got on the books.  Additional points were provided by: Tomlinson 8, Gerkin 8, Hamro 6, Harris 5, Gibbons 5, O'Connor 5, Selby 5, Ashe 4, Monshietehadi 4, Butts 2, Glasgow 1

JV had held Dan Hills to 1 point in the first period and only 3 points in the 3rd period. Everyone had played in this game as the entire team had a chance to score a couple of points. JV looks to get back into form for upcoming games this week. Chin 8pts/1rbs, Walker 7pts/11rbs, Ames 7pts/2rbs, Marshal 6pts/5rbs, Herbert 5pts/1rbs, Smetona 4pts/2rbs, Ihani 4pts/0rbs, Young 3pts/3rbs, Lewis 2pts/6rbs, Lee 2pts/0rbs, Medrano 1pts/0rbs, 

​San Clemente faced down a challenge from El Toro Wednesday night as they hosted the Chargers in their first league match up.  As has been the case in most, if not all, of the soph's games, the first quarter was tight with San Clemente taking a 1 point 15-14 lead into the second quarter where they were able to hold the Chargers to only 6 points.  They led 31-20 at halftime.  That second quarter surge was the difference as the rest of the game was pretty even.  San Clemente brings in another league win 57-44.  Nate Gerkin was the high scorer with 13 points.  Caleb Carlin and Kian Monshietehadi were the other Tritons in double figures, each with 10.  Additional scoring was supplied by: Selby 9, Harris 6, Tomlinson 6, Ashe 3

​In a relatively low scoring game JV can't seem to find its rhythm. JV started out with sloppy play in the first, but was able to smooth things out late in the second and ended up with a 6 point lead at the half. El Toro came out hard in the 3rd out scoring SC 15-7 and taking the lead heading into the fourth. SC struggled back late in the fourth, to within 2 points, with time running out SC was unable to close the gap as time expired,  SC let's one slip through their fingers and losses to El Toro 43-45. JV in now 1-2 in league and 17-3 for the season. Ihani 9pts/3rbs, Marshall 8pts/7rbs, Smetona 8pts/6rbs, Chin 7pts/0rbs, Herbert 3pts/2rbs, Walker 2pts/12rbs, Medrano 2pts/1rbs, Egbert 2pts/1rbs, Lewis 1pt/1rb, Young 1pt/2rbs