The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
The Student News Site of The Webb Schools

Webb Canyon Chronicle
Categories:

VWS basketball foresees a triumphant season after returning from pandemic

Leeann Shu
November 19, 2021
Sunny Yu
Allison Paik (‘22) shoots in the Webb vs. Gary game that took place on November 18th. Webb ended up losing by only one point, a score of 39-40. Also pictured are Leeann Shu (‘22), Pristine Thomas (‘25), and Karma Griggs (‘23) who unfortunately suffered mild injuries from the game and had to sit out for the remainder of the fourth quarter. Despite the one-point difference, the VWS basketball team were very proud of the way they played and hope to bring the same spirits up in their future games.

With the start of the new season, winter sports are in full swing, and the VWS varsity basketball team is especially excited to engage in practices and play games. With a shortened season last year due to the pandemic, the number of games had been cut short to only league games.

Last school year, in order to keep students and schools safe, the California Interscholastic Federation, or CIF, classified basketball as a spring sport with the season beginning in April and ending in late May. Hence, players only receive a short break and do not get much time to practice and train for this upcoming season which begins again in November. 

Now that a more regular school year is resuming, the winter basketball season is back and the team is ready for a victorious season. Compounded by the departures of lead scorers of the past couple of seasons such as Chloe Stewart (‘20), Andrea Phung (‘20), and Dora Csonge (‘21), the VWS basketball team has undergone major changes, with the addition of many new freshmen players, as well as underclassmen athletes stepping up on the court. 

Coach Ronnie Alvarado and Coach Amahl Thomas continue their roles this season as head coach and assistant coach, respectively. There are also four senior returning players: Marie Blake (‘22), Allison Paik (‘22), Leeann Shu (‘22), and Bianca Arteaga (‘22). Returning for her fourth year with VWS varsity basketball, Marie Blake (‘22) has helped lead the team these past two years and is the top returning scorer. 

The VWS team won all league games and the Academy League title in 2019 and 2020; they have, as a result, been placed into a tougher San Joaquin League, comprising of Division 1 schools like Orangewood Academy and Fairmont Prep.  

“We are in the last year of a very tough league,” said Coach Ronnie, head VWS varsity basketball coach. “This year our focus is on building fundamentals and preparing for the years to come.” 

The tough league games this season begin in January 2022, so the team has focused on building and maintaining a strong team chemistry during practices. With an even distribution of both returning and new players, teamwork and collaboration are key to being successful, even despite what the scoreboard says. 

“We have a team full of new players and underclassmen,” Coach Ronnie said. “We are so excited to see everyone meshing together so well. Our girls have been working so hard in practice and our staff is ecstatic to see fearless hustlers.” 

Players also share Coach Ronnie’s enthusiasm about building connections and focusing on effective communication with one another. Seniors are especially excited to take the lead and make the most out of their last basketball season here at Webb. 

“This year, I look forward to making memories with my teammates and showing the underclassmen how to become a leader on the team,” said Allison Paik (‘22), returning three-year senior and co-captain of the team. 

“I’m most excited to just play basketball on the court,” said Erika Malicay (‘25), a starting forward for the team. “I want to be the best I can be and don’t want to disappoint my teammates, I just hope I can do that.” 

The VWS varsity basketball team just had their first home game against Garey High School this Thursday, November 18th where they lost by just one point, the score 39-40. Despite how frustrating it feels, this game only brought the team closer together and set higher goals for themselves in the future, especially now knowing everyone’s full potential and capabilities. 

“Close games, [like the game against Garey] where it’s 39-40 and we need one more point to win are my favorite,” Erika said. “It creates an unbreakable bond with my teammates, and I love it.” 

“Although we lost by one point, our hustle and drive to outplay the other team really shined through,” Allison said. “My goal for all of us is to help one another improve.” 

View Story Comments
Print this Story
More to Discover
More in Showcase
Jaeho Lee (‘28) receives a notification. He goes to a secluded place, opens his phone, and starts deciphering the fourth clue. Having successfully made it to the first three checkpoints, he is now tasked with figuring out the rest of the riddles leading him to the remaining checkpoints. But the clues will only get harder and harder to crack. “Decode the clues or tag as many as possible!” said Kenny (‘25). Soon, the zombies will swarm the checkpoints––Jaeho must think of something quick.
After dark: diving into Webb’s annual Zombie Apocalypse
The numbered phone stand used for Reboot November in South Hutch dorm was an efficient system that helped keep track of participating students. The stand, numbered from 1 to 30, allowed students to place their phones in designated slots, making it easy for dorm prefects to monitor participation. “It’s a simple and effective way to stay organized, even though I didn’t participate, I noticed how the system made it easy for everyone to keep track and to make sure no one missed out on their rewards,” said Jarra Jallow (’25). This process helped maintain order and ensured everyone’s phone was accounted for during the challenge.
Week 3 of Reboot November: can Webb earn a no-school day?
Emily Shao (‘26) is sitting at her desk, surrounded by stacks of articles and open browser tabs, deep in research mode as she sifts through scattered details of the P. Diddy case. With limited reliable sources and countless rumors swirling online, information is difficult to find and even harder to verify. “It's like a reminder that we often don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes, even with public figures we think we know,” Emily said. The search for truth feels like peeling back layers of a story far more complicated than any headline could convey.
Diddy’s arrest sparks new conspiracy theories
Annalise Centeno (’26) and Ella Berg (’26) peacefully sit on Huntington Beach with the company of Dr Nguyen’s corgi, Ein. Although the weather was foggy, the beach was still filled with other corgis and attendees. “I really enjoyed relaxing on the beach near the ocean, along with the company of so many puppies,” Annalise Centeno (’26) said. The event was a huge success.
Webbies embark on Corgi Beach Day
The College Guidance Office, hidden between the trees of lower campus, with a table and chairs outside providing a quiet place to work, is where students receive advice and support while preparing for and applying to college. “I think it's hard because it's two counselors supporting 100 students,” said Emily Thornton (’25). “I think you can feel really unsupported.” Only having two counselors for so many students might lead to a lack of knowledge for students about the college process.
Does Webb put too much stress on college admissions?
A large variety of candies is spilling out of a pumpkin trick-or-treat bucket. As Halloween comes to an end, students count their candies and pick out the ones they like to save while arguing over which one is ultimately the best. “Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because I love candies and watching movies,” said Tychelle Moore Cul-pepper (’27). Students have had a fruitful Halloween this year and continue to look forward to next year’s celebration.
Trick or Treat: Halloween candies ranked by students (and the two that sparked debate)
More in Sports
On October 29th, after an intense game, Webb varsity water polo players participated in the customary post-game high five with the opposing team, Pioneer High School. This game marked the beginning of CIF and ended with a promising score of 13-4. “Coming in as the underdogs brings a thrill of uncertainty to the playoffs and knowing we're playing our best is encouraging,” Neil Xu (‘27) said. As the team steadily progresses through CIF, their advancement raises the question: how did the team get here despite not participating in any league games?
Varsity water polo strives for CIF victory
Varsity girls' tennis had their senior night match last week. Claudia Yang (‘25), Jasmine Beseth (2’5), Saira Bhagat (‘25), Penelope Sugihara (‘25), and Lindsey Azurin (‘25) can be seen posing with their fellow seniors. The Gauls overall performed well and won against Pacifica Christian.
Girls’ tennis dominates their senior night
It is 4:55 PM. Webb’s two upper tennis courts nestled in between the Jameson, Kirkhill, and Appleby dorms, glowing beneath an October sky washed in crimson. Soon, darkness will settle, and with daylight savings pushing sunset an hour earlier, dwindling light will make it tough for the players to carry on. “A few small lights would a nice addition,” said Larry (‘26).
From classrooms to courts: Webb's vision for enhancing sports infrastructures
The fall sports teams are kicking off their season with strong performances. For instance, the football team showcases resilience in a tough match, the girls' cross-country team poses after a tiring race, and the boys' cross country and water polo teams practice for their next league game. “It was wonderful seeing huge improvements from everyone on the team,” said Dorothy Ma (‘25), a girls’ cross country runner. As these teams advance in their season, they are looking forward to hopefully seizing a spot in league and in CIF playoffs.
Better together: Fall sports 2024 updates
Starting pitcher and fourth in the batting lineup Ayan Kaushal (‘24) receives wise words from catcher Mikey Pino (‘26) to help kick off the game with a quick inning. Kaushal, this year's baseball team captain, communicates with his catcher with confidence and calmness to ensure that all throw calls are understood and the inning goes by smoothly. The WSC Gauls played a strong first playoff game against Calvary Chapel, winning in the last inning 4-3.
Webb Baseball Erupts with a Comeback Season
Sophomore catcher Mikey Pino (‘26), who has already logged 17 hits and 16 runs with a season batting average of .436, extends his arms as he drives the outside pitch to right field for a double, putting the team in a great position to score. “I have felt really good in the box while hitting,” said Mikey Pino (‘26), “Recently I feel like I cannot get out, I feel amazing”
Webb baseball charges ahead in playoff run
About the Contributors
Leeann Shu
Leeann Shu, Chief Copy Editor
You might usually associate a Leo with being supercilious, selfish, and self-centered, but Leeann Shu (‘22) exemplifies the opposite of these traits. Leeann is supportive, trustworthy, humble, and sociable. In her free time, Leeann enjoys relaxing with friends, and this year, she hopes to re-bond with friends that she has not seen or talked to for a while. At school, Leeann actively interacts with the community by taking various leadership roles: a day student prefect, an admission fellow, chief editor of the yearbook, and Chief Copy Editor of the Webb Canyon Chronicle. As Editor of Technology last year and a head editor this year, she continues writing for the WCC because of her enthusiasm for the publication and writing. Her personality contributes to her success in the newsroom because journalism requires her to be a risk-taker while searching for interviewees, and an active listener to understand other’s thoughts. This year, her goal is to assist younger members of the WCC as they grow and shine in their writing. In addition to helping others, she wants to have more confidence in herself and seek more opportunities to utilize her writing skills for the betterment of the publication. Not being afraid of any type of failure is what she will keep in mind to help her progress toward her goals.  Favorite song: "Laugh Now, Cry Later" by Drake
Sunny Yu
Sunny Yu, Editor-in-Chief
Sunny Yu (‘22) is a prime example of the protagonist personality. As a natural leader, she is active, thoughtful, caring, and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the WCC, a member of the Chapel Council, the captain of the varsity cross-country team, and a founding member of Webb’s Breakfast literary magazine. Sunny is also vocal and passionate about the enforcement of social justice and representation of marginalized groups: at the WCC, she utilizes journalism as a tool to shed light on many controversial issues, never shying away from the ability to make a lasting impact. During the weekends, you can often find her on a run to “The Spot,” a smoothie shop, playing soccer on Chandler, and occasionally annoying the library staff for borrowing too many books, such as her favorite, Waiting for the Barbarians, a wonderful allegory on human relationships. As a protagonist, she finds joy in guiding young journalists to grow into their best selves. This year, Sunny hopes that the WCC can continue covering important topics and spark conversations while bringing people laughter and keeping them informed. Favorite song: "Sunflower Feelings" by Kuzu Mellow