This week’s edition of the Pajaronian Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of Feb. 12-18.
Preps of the Week
Boys: Aptos High senior Carlos Gutierrez had three goals and four assists in three games played for the Mariners boys’ soccer team. He had a monster game with two goals and one assist in a 5-0 win over Scotts Valley in the teams’ Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League and regular season finale Feb. 14.
Girls: Pajaro Valley High senior Valeria Acosta recorded four goals for the Grizzlies girls’ soccer team in their 5-3 win over Stevenson School in a Central Coast Section play-in game on Feb. 13. She had a team-best 19 goals for PV this season.
Rising Stars
- Aptos High senior Eddie Alvarez recorded two goals and two assists, and senior Andrew Lopez had three goals in three games for the Mariners boys’ soccer team. Fellow teammate Kaleb Plascencia had two goals and one assist, and Damian Garcia had three assists for Aptos.
- Monte Vista Christian senior Jack Ryan had 14 points and fellow teammate Vid Levak added 10 for the Mustangs boys’ basketball team in their 51-36 victory over San Jose High in the opening round of the CCS Division IV playoffs on Feb. 16.
- St. Francis High freshman Maya Calfee had 26 points and senior Nehaeh Litel added 17 more in a 62-45 win against Pacific Collegiate School on Feb. 13, helping the Sharks girls’ basketball team secure an undefeated season in Pacific Coast Athletic League Cypress Division play at 14-0.
- Watsonville High junior Fernanda Lazo recorded a double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds, while fellow teammate junior Hailey Brooks had six points and 10 rebounds for the Wildcatz girls basketball team in their 36-30 win against Pacific Grove in PCAL Gabilan Division action on Feb. 12.
Games to Watch
- Aptos vs. Burlingame, boys basketball, Tuesday at 7pm: The No. 2 seed Mariners (18-8) are looking for redemption in the CCS Division III quarterfinals against No. 7 Panthers (10-14), who have won four straight postseason games over Aptos.
- Aptos vs. Del Mar, girls basketball, Tuesday at 5:30pm: The No. 3 seed Mariners (18-8) will try to keep a three-game win streak alive as they take on the No. 11 Dons (15-9) in the CCS D-III quarterfinals.
- St. Francis vs. Notre Dame-Salinas, girls basketball, Tuesday at 7pm: The PCAL Cypress Division champion and No. 3 seed Sharks (21-2) will host the No. 6 Spirits (14-10) for a chance to advance into the CCS D-V semifinals.
Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit scores and highlights to jr****@pa********.com. Follow sports editor Juan Reyes (@jmreyes831) on Twitter for scores and news updates.
