This week’s edition of the Pajaronian Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of Feb. 19-25.
Preps of the Week
Boys: Aptos High junior Lucas Zuniga competed in the 285-pound weight class at this year’s California Interscholastic Federation State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield on Feb. 22-24. Zuniga lost in a pair of highly contested bouts, starting with a loss by fall to Chad Troxler of Liberty High. Zuniga then went the distance with Gabe Rodriguez of Chico High but lost in a 3-1 decision in the consolation bracket. Zuniga finished with a 28-11 overall record this season.
Girls: Aptos High senior Janie Houser (125 pounds) went 3-2 with one win by fall at this year’s CIF State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield on Feb. 22-24. Houser split her matches on the opening day but then bounced back with two wins in the consolation bracket before dropping a 9-3 decision to Mason Harsch of Monte Vista High. Houser finished with a 40-12 overall record this season.
Rising Stars
- Aptos High junior Isaiah Ackerman had 13 points for the Mariners boys’ basketball team in a 47-43 loss to Burlingame High in the Central Coast Section Division III quarterfinals on Feb. 20. He finished with a team-best 18.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for Aptos this season.
- Aptos High freshman Gabby Wickham had 27 points and six rebounds for the Mariners girls’ basketball team in a 52-40 win over Del Mar High in the CCS Division III quarterfinals on Feb. 20. She finished with a team-best 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game for Aptos this season.
- Monte Vista Christian junior Tyson Shaw had two hits and an RBI for the Mustangs baseball team in a 2-1 loss to Sequoia High in non-league action Feb. 23.
- Monte Vista Christian junior Sophia Canobbio batted 4-for-4 with one home run, four RBIs and three runs scored for the Mustangs softball team in a 21-7 win over Redwood Christian School in non-league action Feb. 24. Fellow teammates Sophia Cortes, Kayla Fullalove-Silviera, Juliana Lopez, Julliette Skipton and Ava Alvarado each had a pair of base hits.
- Watsonville High pitcher Ben Miller recorded four strikeouts and allowed two runs on three hits in six innings on the mound for the Wildcatz baseball team in a 3-1 loss to Pacheco High in non-league play Feb. 23. Fellow teammate Hayden Henry had one double and an RBI, while Brody Legions recorded one base hit and a run scored for Watsonville (0-1), which will host Seaside on Monday at 3:30pm.
Games to Watch
- Aptos at St. Francis, baseball, Friday at 3:30pm: A friendly non-league battle between the Mariners and Sharks will feature two of the best local programs in the area.
- MVC vs. South Tahoe, softball, Friday at 3:30pm: See if the Mustangs’ offense can continue cooking after scoring 21 runs in a win over Redwood Christian School.
- Watsonville Tournament No. 1, softball, all day Saturday: The Wildcatz will host their first tournament of the season featuring local teams such as Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley high schools.
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.
