Torrance, CA (August 25, 2020): With the 2010's over, we look back on an impressive and historic decade in BMHS athletics. Perhaps the highlight of the decade was boys' basketball capturing the 2016-17 CIF-SS and State Open Division titles. In arguably the toughest playoff braket in the nation, the Knights knocked off some of the top teams in the state on their way to a #2 national ranking. Ethan Thompson '17 became the first player in school history to be named California's Mr. Basketball. Also in the decade, Thompson's brother, Stephen, Jr. '15, became the school's career scoring leader with 2,246 points and led BMHS to a CIF-SS Open Division title in 2014-15. In 2013-14, Bishop captured the Division 4 state title in historic fashion. In their 85-44 win over Moreau Catholic, BMHS broke the state record for largest margin of victory in a state final (41), a record that still stands.
Another highlight of the 2010's was the dominance of the boys' & girls' tennis teams. The boys' rolled to nine league titles and ten playoff appearances. The standout player of the decade was Jinta Sasamori '20, who won three league singles titles. The girls' impressed even more, capturing the league title every year (they have actually won 14 straight league titles). In 2018, the girls' captured the program's 2nd CIF-SS title with a magical run through the playoffs. Several athletes won multiple individual league titles. Nnena Nadozie '17 won two singles titles; Samara Guillory '21 teamed up with Cameron Banks '20 to win two doubles titles; and Banks captured a third doubles title with Adela Henry '17.
Other programs also were impressive. Girls' basketball won three CIF-SS titles in a four year span. The boys' and girls' volleyball programs continued their excellence by making the playoffs every year. The boys' made three CIF-SS finals appearances and in 2018, Daniel Matheney '18 was the first male volleyball player from BMHS to be named All-American. Boys' golf and football also had great success. Both programs won five league titles and made the playoffs eight times. Golf had seven individual league champions; football had eleven league MVP's.
There were also amazing individual performances. Danielle Shanahan '13 became the first runner in school history to win a CIF title in cross country. On the track in the spring, she won the CIF-SS title in the 3200m in school record time (10:25.40). She also set the school record in the 1600m (4:49.71). Other individual school records were set, or tied; some stood for many years. Brendan Marafino '16 broke the record for passing touchdowns in a game with five against Verbum Dei in 2015. In 2018, Matthew Origel '19 tied the mark against Garey. In 2010, Nolan Plummer '11 broke the single season rushing record with 2,241 yards. This year, Khylee Pepe '21 tied the girls' basketball record for points in a game when she scored 41 against West Torrance. On the diamonds, baseball's Elijah Tolsma '20 set a record for lowest ERA (0.22 in 2019) and softball's Andrea Guzman '16 set the batting average mark for a season (.640 in 2016). In boys' track, Bernard Amofa '17, Daniel Kelly '17, Mark Ogbunamiiri '17 & Dhahran Woods '16 broke the 4x100 relay record with a time of 42.57 in 2016.
Another highlight of the 2010's was the dominance of the boys' & girls' tennis teams. The boys' rolled to nine league titles and ten playoff appearances. The standout player of the decade was Jinta Sasamori '20, who won three league singles titles. The girls' impressed even more, capturing the league title every year (they have actually won 14 straight league titles). In 2018, the girls' captured the program's 2nd CIF-SS title with a magical run through the playoffs. Several athletes won multiple individual league titles. Nnena Nadozie '17 won two singles titles; Samara Guillory '21 teamed up with Cameron Banks '20 to win two doubles titles; and Banks captured a third doubles title with Adela Henry '17.
Other programs also were impressive. Girls' basketball won three CIF-SS titles in a four year span. The boys' and girls' volleyball programs continued their excellence by making the playoffs every year. The boys' made three CIF-SS finals appearances and in 2018, Daniel Matheney '18 was the first male volleyball player from BMHS to be named All-American. Boys' golf and football also had great success. Both programs won five league titles and made the playoffs eight times. Golf had seven individual league champions; football had eleven league MVP's.
There were also amazing individual performances. Danielle Shanahan '13 became the first runner in school history to win a CIF title in cross country. On the track in the spring, she won the CIF-SS title in the 3200m in school record time (10:25.40). She also set the school record in the 1600m (4:49.71). Other individual school records were set, or tied; some stood for many years. Brendan Marafino '16 broke the record for passing touchdowns in a game with five against Verbum Dei in 2015. In 2018, Matthew Origel '19 tied the mark against Garey. In 2010, Nolan Plummer '11 broke the single season rushing record with 2,241 yards. This year, Khylee Pepe '21 tied the girls' basketball record for points in a game when she scored 41 against West Torrance. On the diamonds, baseball's Elijah Tolsma '20 set a record for lowest ERA (0.22 in 2019) and softball's Andrea Guzman '16 set the batting average mark for a season (.640 in 2016). In boys' track, Bernard Amofa '17, Daniel Kelly '17, Mark Ogbunamiiri '17 & Dhahran Woods '16 broke the 4x100 relay record with a time of 42.57 in 2016.