Published March 5, 2025
BY AVERY PALSHAW
Soaring through league, boys’ basketball takes on playoffs
Boys’ basketball found success through driving to the hoop and implementing a strong press defense this year. (photo by ROB ASHE)
After placing first in the Gabilan Division for the second consecutive year, the Carmel High School boys’ basketball team fell short 63-66 in the Central Coast Section DIV championship game against King’s Academy, earning a spot in the DIII NorCal championships.
In their CCS run, the players defeated Soquel 47-42 in the first round of playoffs Feb. 25 and advanced to beat Half Moon Bay 71-47 in the second round at home Feb. 27. Seeded seven in NorCal DIII boys’ basketball tournament, Carmel was set to play Central from Fresno County on Tuesday.
In preparation for playoffs, the team focused on improving on the same strategies they had been utilizing throughout the season, along with practicing specific situations that may occur during a game.
Going 17-6 overall and 12-2 in league, head coach Kurt Grahl attributes the boys’ ability to remain calm to the team’s general success in tight games.
“[The players] don’t panic when things aren’t going well,” says the coach of over 30 years. “They focus and execute when things aren’t going well, which makes us pretty resilient.”
As for the players, guard Warren Blut averaged 19.7 points per game and led the team with 434 points, 78 assists and 44 blocks during the regular season. Grahl mentions that Blut’s ability to beat defensive traps and maneuver past opponents took a lot of pressure off the rest of the team. On the defensive side, small forward Brooklyn Ashe had an immense 216 rebounds and 38 blocks throughout the 2025 season.
Girls’ basketball rebounds in 2025 under new coaching staff
The girls’ basketball program is projected to grow over the next few years with many upcoming players. (photo by AMERY GILL and NICOLE TAPSON)
After a 1-22 overall record last year, varsity girls’ basketball made tremendous strides this season, ending with a 5-7 Mission Division record and an 8-12 record overall. Incoming head varsity coach Alan Shipnuck, working alongside assistant coaches Kelli Palshaw and Abe Stallcup, emphasized a tight press defense and innovative offensive plays to lead the team to a productive season.
The coaching staff notes that the depth of the team, from sharp inside shooters to pesky, quick defenders, helped the girls battle through difficult opponents.
“We’re building our skills, we’re building our basketball knowledge, but we also have multi-sport athletes who know how to compete,” says Shipnuck.
Despite falling short of playoffs by a slim margin, the majority of their losses were nail-biter games, including a two-point loss to Monte Vista Christian and a four-point loss to Palma. Their most impressive win was against the second-best team in their division, North Monterey County, where the girls won by 10.
The girls’ basketball dynamic will likely continue to evolve in the near future, with six senior members graduating this year.
With a winning record, varsity boys’ soccer placed second in the Cypress Division. (photo by AMERY GILL)
Boys’ soccer shoots for success, falls just shy of playoffs
CHS boys’ soccer may have fallen short of making CCS playoffs by a hair, but head coach Scott Hirschfield says the upperclassmen-heavy team developed their skills significantly over the course of the season.
Closing with an 11-6-1 overall and 8-4-0 league record, the boys made clear improvements from their 5-10-3 season last year. Not only did the group come to compete, but they finished second out of seven teams in the Cypress Division.
Hirschfield says the team’s toughest opponent was Gonzales due to their physicality and technical abilities. While the boys lost 0-2 at Gonzales, they beat the first place team 1-0 at home.
Notably, this team had nine shutout games with only 12 goals scored on them over the course of the entire season. Junior Rigo Carrera and freshman Miro Balaban were top scorers, and sophomore Georges Guerree led with eight assists.
Valuing unity and communication, girls’ soccer completes battle in league
Excelling in communication, the girls’ soccer team played fluidly together. (photo by DARREN JACKSON)
Finishing with a 5-8-6 total record and a 4-4-4 league record, the varsity girls’ soccer team battled against many tough, evenly matched opponents this year. Because the Mission Division only allows the top two teams to move on to CCS, the fifth place team completed their season Feb. 14, tying 0-0 against Pacific Collegiate.
Head coach Steven Russell says that the team’s main focus from the beginning of the season was creating a lively team chemistry, as that translates to greater success and enjoyment on the field.
“Regardless of what happens during the game or what happens on the scoreboard, it’s all about playing for each other and developing as a team,” explains the girls’ varsity coach of three years.
The team often had to overcome missing key elements on the turf. Russell notes that several players faced a number of injuries throughout the season, from concussions to high ankle sprains, yet that did not deter the athletes from being fierce competitors.
A key element on the defensive side, junior goalie Adalyn Clark had an impressive 128 saves in goal, giving her the third highest ranking in Monterey County for girls’ soccer. Starting sophomore Eva Sedillos led the team with 12 goals, while junior and attacking midfielder Ryan Lott led the team in assists, ending with six.
In spite of rebuilding year, wrestling program continues to expand
Senior Zackary Lander was a key member of the Carmel wrestling team this year, going undefeated in his matches. (photo by PETER NOTO)
Predominantly composed of younger athletes, the Carmel High School wrestling team concluded a difficult season in the Mission Division, but advanced in technical skills and team environment. Though the team did not win any meets this season, new head coach Shadd Madsen is hopeful that next year’s incoming freshmen will be able to fill out the team’s numbers and contribute to their future success.
“My goals as a coach are to continue to grow this team and to improve our numbers,” says Madsen. “We are looking for more athletes and would encourage them to come out and give wrestling a try next year.”
Zackary Lander, varsity captain and sole senior, had a winning personal record and served as a role model to younger wrestlers, and sophomore Skyler Madsen placed fourth in the Pacific Coast Athletic League. Sophomores Dominik Ranansky and Alexander Noto-Hagan both ended with winning personal records.
Coach Madsen guided the team with help from assistant coach Jason Gorman and volunteers Josh Bailey and Pete Devlamic.
Avery Palshaw was a third-year varsity basketball player this season.
