After an engaged 80-minute battle from the beginning to the final whistle, the Aptos and Watsonville boys’ soccer non-league match ended in a scoreless draw on Wednesday evening.
The Mariners possessed the ball about 60 percent of the game, creating seven shots on goal but fell shy on the finishing.
The Wildcatz also took six shots on goal, but Aptos senior goalkeeper Noah Curran made some great saves in the box to keep them off the scoreboard.
Aptos head coach Roberto Zúñiga said taking six corner kicks and not finishing was taking a toll on the players. The Mariners kept driving to assert dominance creating last minute opportunities but they ran out of time at the end.
“I’d like to highlight our defense, and our center defensive midfielder Nami Banks for his resilience in a tough match, and for his support of the team as a whole,” Zúñiga said. “As a senior and team captain, Nami [Banks] leads by example and is the backbone of this very young team.”
Next up, the Mariners (4-1-1) travel to Southern California for the SoCal High School Classic Tournament from Dec. 27-28 and 30. They will play San Dieguito Academy of Encinitas on Dec. 27 at 6pm.
Watsonville (0-1-4) plays at North Monterey County on Friday at 5:45pm.
Girls soccer
Pajaro Valley 4, Monterey 2: Valeria Acosta had three goals for the Grizzlies in their victory over the Toreadores in non-league action on Wednesday.
Scarlet Gomez recorded a pair of assists for Pajaro Valley, while teammate Leslie Carrisoza had one goal and one assist. Kendra Rivas Vazquez had eight saves for the Grizzlies—winners of five straight.
Pajaro Valley (5-1) hosts cross-town rival Watsonville (1-1-2) on Saturday at noon.
Pajaro Valley 2, Soquel 1: Leslie Carrisoza and Denise Magallon each had one goal for the Grizzlies in their non-league win over the Knights on Monday evening.
Fellow teammate Valeria Acosta was credited with one assist, while goalkeeper Kendra Rivas Vazquez had 10 saves for Pajaro Valley.
Watsonville 1, Scotts Valley 1: Jackeline Cano recorded the game-tying goal late in the second half to help lift the Wildcatz to a draw against the Falcons in non-league action Wednesday night.
Lauren Lima put Scotts Valley on the scoreboard with a goal scored in the 20th minute. Fellow teammate Jordan Ericson was credited with the assist.
Watsonville (1-1-2) plays at Monte Vista Christian on Friday at 4:45pm, followed by a showdown at cross-town rival Pajaro Valley on Saturday at noon.
Boys basketball
Monte Vista Christian 76, Harbor 62: Nico Down had a team-best 25 points to go along with four steals, four assists and four rebounds for the Mustangs in their non-league win over the Pirates on Tuesday night.
Fellow teammate Matteo Vidal had 18 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, while Braden Dobler contributed 14 and 14 rebounds for MVC (5-3), which hosts St. Francis (6-1) on Friday at 7pm.
North Monterey County 78, St. Francis 69: Nash Horton and Jacob Jimenez each had 19 points for the Sharks in their loss to the Condors in non-league play Monday night.
Isiah Villalobos added 12 points for St. Francis (6-1), which plays at Monte Vista Christian on Friday at 7pm.
Girls basketball
Watsonville 59, North Monterey County 29: Junior Leilani Yasin had 17 points, 18 rebounds, five blocks, four assists and three steals for the Wildcatz in a decisive win over the Condors in non-league action Tuesday night.
Freshman Isabella Alvarez added a team-best 20 points for Watsonville, which is off to its best start in school history with an 8-1 overall record. The win also extends their win steak to seven—the longest since 2013.
The ‘Catz are currently on a 10-day break in preparation for the West Coast Jamboree on Dec. 27.
NBA G League
San Diego Clippers 120, Santa Cruz Warriors 108: The Santa Cruz Warriors dropped the final game of the Tip-Off Tournament to the San Diego Clippers at Kaiser Permanente Arena on Dec. 15.
Two-way center Quinten Post led both teams in scoring with 24 points, and forward Kevin Knox II followed closely behind with 20 points, five rebounds, and two steals.
Forward Gui Santos, on assignment from Golden State, finished the night with 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Forward Jackson Rowe notched 15 points and nine rebounds in his first game back from injury, and forward Blake Hinson rounded out the scoring for the Sea Dubs with 13 points off the bench.
The Santa Cruz Warriors will travel to Orlando for the G League Winter Showcase from Dec. 19 to 22.
