Sea Kings Are Kings Again

A tip of the cap to the Palos Verdes boys tennis team. It pounded West Torrance, 18-0, on Wednesday to earn its third consecutive Bay League title.

“We feel good winning it three years in a row,” Palos Verdes coach Danny Moscovici said. “It’s well deserved. My guys are playing together and playing very solid tennis.”

No. 1 singles player Jeff Hawke has figured prominently in the Sea Kings play, as well as No. 2 Erik Lim and No. 3 Jake Douglas, who is a freshman.

The Sea Kings also have gotten a big boost from their top doubles team of senior Chase Ruth and freshman Tony Dellovade.

“They have been a big key for us,” Moscovici said of Ruth and Dellovade.

As expected, Palos Verdes moved up to No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section rankings this week. The Sea Kings received the bump after defeating former No. 2 seed Corona del Mar at Palos Verdes on April 19. Palos Verdes caps it regular season in a match Monday at home against Mira Costa. It starts at 2:30 p.m.

Sportsmanship award lands again at Peninsula

Peninsula High was awarded a CIF Southern Section Sportsmanship honor for the second time in the past four seasons. The school also captured one during the 2007-08 season.

The award is given annually to the top school in sportsmanship in each league in the Southern Section. Each league’s member schools vote on it.

“It shows that our peers think highly of us in the ream of sportsmanship,” said Peninsula athletic director Wendell Yoshida. “It’s a good reflection of our school, our athletes, coaches, administrators and our community. Anytime your peers pick you for an honor, it’s great.”

Peninsula senior Michele Charles, a soccer and track star and the student body president, will represent the school and accept the award during a brief ceremony before Monday’s Dodgers-Cubs game at Dodger Stadium.

Softball showdown: Peninsula-Mira Costa

Friday’s softball contest between the Panthers and Mustangs is a huge one in the Bay League race. Peninsula (8-11 overall, 5-0 in league) continues to be the story so far, staying unbeaten after a 4-0 decision over Redondo on Wednesday.

Meanwhile Mira Costa, Redondo and Palos Verdes are tied for second at 3-2, so the contest is a must-win for the Mustangs if they expect to contend for the title.

Peninsula has made a major turnaround since stumbling to a rough nonleague start, losing 11 of 13 before winning its last six, five in league.

Mira Costa, which is ranked No. 9 in the CIF’s Division III rankings (Peninsula is unranked), is coming off a 2-0 loss to Palos Verdes on Wednesday after hammering Redondo, 16-4, last Friday. Game time is 3:15 p.m.