Intro to Winter Sports 2017

Boys’ Basketball

Following their DVL win last season, the boys’ basketball team have high hopes of becoming champions yet again in order to bring LQ another title. “Being in charge, being a leader, and having fun will get us to DVL,” stated point guard Devin Williams (12) who has been playing at LQHS for the past four years.

Captain Christian Sanchez (12) has confidence that he and his teammates will make it to the top. “We have the players to win DVL,” commented Sanchez.

Shooting guard Dominic Escobar (10) stated, “It’s going to be a good season, especially because we still have [a lot] of good players.”

Girls’ Basketball 

The LQHS girls’ basketball team is determined to get to the top, with hopes of winning the DVL title. With more than half of the team graduating this upcoming year, many want to create memories before the season is over.

“I’m excited to play with the girls again and represent the La Quinta Blackhawks one last time,” said Captain Jessie Rios (12). “Aside from winning DVL, my personal goal for this season is to score at least 25 points in every game.”

“More people should come to our games,” Miranda Kelly (11) said. “It’s always a fun atmosphere.”

Girls’ Soccer

The girls’ soccer team will be starting their season with high hopes for another DVL title. Brisa Gonzalez (11), who has played soccer for about 10 years, said, “I am very excited to see what this year has for us; I hope we can get our sixth DVL title in a row.”

Alexis Garcia (12), who has been playing forward on the varsity team since freshman year, said, “I have been playing soccer for 10 years and I train six hours a week. My goal for this year is to get farther in CIF and hopefully win a ring,” Garcia stated.

Senior Mia Ortega is ready to be back in season after being out with a torn ACL for the last eight months. “I am looking forward to having my last season as a Blackhawk; I can’t wait to see what this season has for us,” she added.

Boys’ Soccer

After winning DVL last year, La Quinta boys’ soccer is starting this year a little differently. They recently got a new coach for both JV and varsity teams, but the boys are still striving for the same goal: to win CIF and DVL.

“My plan for the team is to first remind them that what the team did last year means absolutely nothing. This is a new team and we must put the work in to live up to the Blackhawk standards,” said Coach McKee. “A DVL title will be one of many goals, but the players must work hard and come together as a group to achieve them.”

McKee shared that the key players for this season include seniors Logan Prescott, Steven Poole, Marco Arambula and Gustavo Esquivel, as well as juniors Damian Vasquez, Liam Marzano, and Edward Quintero.

Esquivel shared, “I plan on winning DVL with my brothers; we all know what we need to do.”

Boys’ Wrestling

The boys’ and girls’ wrestling team will commence their season on December 2. In the meantime, the team is preparing by practicing different drills and wrestling four times per week. Training and competing in this sport is difficult, especially when most athletes have to adjust their diets in order to enhance their performance.

“Practices are tough and you have to push yourself […] if you want to be successful,” said senior Noel Magallanes. “The way you practice is the way you wrestle in a match.”

Once matches begin, the team competes at different tournaments outside the valley against many different schools.

“Wrestling can be an individual and also a team sport,” said Magallanes. Overall, the team is determined and their goal for the season is to make CIF.  

Girls’ Wrestling

The girls’ wrestling team will begin their matches on December 2. In the meantime, the team has commenced their preseason practices by lifting weights and practicing drills.  

Jamie Aldinez (11) spoke about her goals for this season. “My goal for this season is to win matches and beat a guy,” said Aldinez. “I want to be able to place higher in my matches.”

Aldinez feels confident about how she will perform this season and isn’t intimidated by competing against boys. “I have beat guys in practices before and I am confident I will be able to show this during a match,” said Aldinez.

With twelve girls competing in comparison to nine last year, the team is expected to show strong performances. “Wrestling is an individual but also a team sport,” said Aldinez.

Girls’ Water Polo

The girls’ water polo team will begin their DVL season against Indio on Dec. 14.

Varsity player Karina Maciel (12) stated, “Last year, we were such a young team and our goal was to learn how to work well together as a family. This year, I am looking forward to hopefully getting first in DVL and then in CIF. There are a lot of seniors on the team this year so we are going to make this season the best one yet!”

Savannah Hampton (11) said, “This year, our team is eager to fight for a DVL title because we came short last year. We also look forward to competing for a CIF title. I am especially looking forward to spending more time with all of my best friends!”