Teammates to rivals. As simple as that. Growing up in or around Palos Verdes, many current Sea Kings have competed on various teams with teammates from all around. However, with the beginning of high school, many of these teammates were forced to part ways as their high school careers began. Although these players won tournaments and had great times with their former teammates, now that they’re in high school, they may be key rivals.
Palos Verdes Sea King William Yoon, a sophomore, spent his early years playing for HAX club basketball team with former teammates and best friends, Darian Williams, Elijah, and Kari White. While William has the opportunity to play alongside many new teammates, he has also been faced with the fact that he now plays against — and not with — his old teammates. Now they go to Redondo and William loves playing against them as much as he loved playing with them. “It was nice to catch up with my teammates after the game even though we lost by a lot. It was a competitive and a good moment,” said William. Although William and his teammates parted ways, he keeps only good memories behind in his mind.
The Palos Verdes Sea Kings recently played their rivalry football game against the Peninsula Panthers, which brought back many memories. Several members of both Palos Verdes and Peninsula played on the PV Cougars Pop Warner football team before their high school careers began.
Joseph McGuiness, a member of the Palos Verdes junior varsity football team stated, “I enjoyed having [my friends[ on my team, but it is great playing against them because I feel like our team has the upper hand.”
Peter Henkhaus, a sophomore Sea King lacrosse player, is great friends with his former teammate Koby Tseng, but now that Koby goes to Peninsula High school the only time they see each other is when they play against each other. The two played with one another on club teams, and even planned to play together in high school, as Tseng originally went to Palos Verdes High. However, prior to his first lacrosse season, Tseng transferred to Peninsula High. One of Peter’s most memorable moments with Tseng was winning 8 consecutive games in a tournament with their team West Coast Starz and LA Lazers. “It’s a weird feeling seeing your former teammate with a different jersey on. Although it felt uncomfortable at first, I was able to get my game on and get the win over his team.”
Not all athletes are forced to say goodbye to their past teammates, and some lucky individuals have the opportunity to continue to play with their teammates who go to different high schools. Sophomore Joe Capris has played on many club baseball teams but his most memorable team is the Garciaparra Baseball group. Since many of his teammates go to different schools, he is able to play against them, as well as play with them. He has teammates like Kenneth Haus who goes to Peninsula, Will Procter who goes to Loyola, and Kyle and Blake Hammerstein who go to Mira Costa. His most memorable moment with his teammates was their trip to Arizona. Now that they play against each other, Joe thinks about the good times he has had with them. Many Sea King athletes now must try their hardest to defeat the same players that they once worked so hard to help win. This can bring mixed reactions and emotions, as some players are disappointed to part ways while others are excited to compete against their good friends. Athletes must find a way to remain friends with their past teammates, but not let it get in the way of their competitiveness.
