CAT WALK HARD—Newbury Park High girls’ basketball junior Kai Mekari drives to the hoop during the Panthers’ 59-35 win against Colton on Feb. 27 at home. Photos by MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers
Call ’em the Comeback Cats.
Without any transfers or impact newcomers, Newbury Park High’s girls’ basketball team surged to a 26-7 overall record at press time. The Panthers reached the CIF-Southern Section Division 4AA playoff semifinals and were cruising in a catwalk after a 59-35 opening round win against Colton in the state tournament on Feb. 27 at home.
Last year, the Panthers staggered to an 8-20 record.
“They’re a little older, a little wiser— and a lot tougher,” 13th-year head coach Darren Burge said. “It’s fun to see them progress and have some success.”
The Comeback Cats, who marched on a historic 20-game win streak this season, are savoring their first winning season since 2019.
They found a way to advance deep this postseason without Kierabella Coletta- Todd, the Acorn Newspapers Most Improved Player. The junior forward, who averages 19.8 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, suffered a season-ending injury in the first quarter of the regular season finale against Conejo Valley rival Thousand Oaks on Feb. 1.
BIG GAME— Newbury Park junior guard Skylar Komatsu averages 10.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 steals for the Panthers. Komatsu also patrols center field for the school’s softball squad.
Cut the kugel, here’s the truth: Newbury Park topples Canyon in the section Final Four and wins a CIF title with a healthy Coletta-Todd operating in the paint.
Credit the young Cats for responding brilliantly.
“It’s all about teamwork,” said Skylar Komatsu, a junior guard who also roams center field in softball. “Without Kierabella, it’s hard, she’s our only big. We learned to move the ball. We’re all small, so we use our speed to our advantage.”
Burge called Komatsu the ultimate competitor.
“Her motor is just unstoppable,” the coach said. “You always get great defense out of her. She’s always attacking, and that sets the tone for everyone else.”
Komatsu averages 10.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 steals per game while notching a 3.4 GPA. Her mom, Tanya Wismann, is the girls’ flag football coach at Simi Valley and former girls’ basketball skipper at the school.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL—Newbury Park junior guard/forward Dana Cruz, center, battles for a rebound against Colton during the CIF State Girls Basketball Championships Division IV tournament this week. The Panthers played visiting West Ranch on Feb. 29, but a final score was not available at press time.
Komatsu said she loves playing in big playoff games.
“I know some people don’t like getting jitters, but I like having those jitters,” the guard said. “Having all those people there to support you, playing with your best friends—it’s so exciting. Win or lose, it’s going to be fun.”
Kimiko Carmer, a junior guard, has a high basketball IQ. She averages 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.3 assists per game.
What’s the key with this group?
“It’s chemistry,” Carmer said. “We’ve been able to play with each other for a couple years. Now, we’ve learned each other’s skills . . . We try to play our best no matter who our opponent is. We want to play our best for ourselves. And our defense is something we take pride in. Offense is a big part of the game, but our defense is definitely our strength.”
Carmer is one of the most versatile athletes in the region. The four-sport star also competes in flag football, beach volleyball and indoor volleyball, all while registering a 4.5 GPA. The Super Cat’s older brother, Max Dufresne, a 2018 Newbury Park grad, won a national club volleyball title at UC Santa Barbara.
Greta Heath, a sophomore guard who averages 10.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game, has picked up the slack with Coletta-Todd on the mend. Heath, a flag football quarterback who threw a Hail Mary touchdown in the inaugural Ventura County tournament in the fall, is simply immune to stress, her coach said.
“She plays for the love of the game,” Burge said of Heath.
Heath talked with the Thousand Oaks Acorn about this special postseason run.
“We were all really nervous about the playoffs,” Heath said. “We made it pretty far, and we were all surprised. We’re happy. . . . We built so much trust, even in the last couple weeks of the playoffs, because we had to rely on each other more.”
Kai Mekari and Dana Cruz, both juniors, are vital starters.
“Kai Mekari has a great feel for the game . . . When she’s talking on defense, we’re a different team and we’re all together as one,” Burge said. “Dana Cruz has all the weapons. She has a great shot, can handle the ball and always seems to snag important rebounds for us.”
Ojal Hanwat, Ria Dudhia and Leila Nedelman fortify the rotation. Hanwat and Dudhia are the only seniors on the roster. Julianna Bohl, Giulia Willy, Brenda Cabrera Lopez and Carmen Orduno contribute for Newbury Park. Carrick “Legend of the Thunderdome” DeHart, who starred for the UC Santa Barbara men’s basketball team, is an eighth-year assistant coach. Evi Orologas is a varsity assistant.
“Our team is so fun,” Komatsu said. “We’re so vocal with each other. Our team is so exciting.
“We bring joy to the court.”