High School Sports

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley High boys soccer coach Cesar Rojas  wanted to test his players and made it a point to schedule some of the toughest non-league opponents around in the area. The Grizzlies—who have yet to suffer a loss—responded to their first-year skipper by firing right...

SALINAS—The race for first place in the Pacific Coast Athletics League Gabilan Division is not over for the Aptos High football team despite last week’s heartbreaking loss at Rabobank Stadium. The Mariners traveled to Salinas to face off against rival Palma, hoping to stay atop...

WATSONVILLE—It took a while for the Pajaro Valley High girls’ basketball team to turn its season around prior to the start of league play. But once the afterburners came on the Grizzlies have gone full speed ahead, including in Friday night’s 32-25 win against Gonzales...

A plan was set in place this season for St. Francis High senior Eilias Garcia and his fellow teammates on the boys’ soccer team. Since the start of the winter season, they’ve been learning step by step how to execute that plan, and slowly enough...

APTOS—Aptos High football coach Randy Blankenship joined the state’s 300-win club last year, becoming one of a dozen coaches who have reached that feat. Prior to that he brought home four Central Coast Section championships to the Mariners’ program since he arrived in 2010.  But the...

APTOS—Watsonville High senior Lucky McHenry took second place at 285 pounds at the 53rd Pat Lovell Holiday Wrestling Classic at Aptos High on Dec. 22. McHenry, who was Santa Cruz County’s lone finalist, finished 3-1 with three pins. He was pinned in one minute by...

WATSONVILLE—The dream scenario for most softball players is having a chance to win it all for their team with one swing of the bat. Watsonville High junior Abreanna Alba was given that opportunity in Wednesday’s shootout against San Benito High.   “I felt like throwing up, my...

Scotts Valley High junior Taylor Wilson earned the league’s top honors as the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League’s Player of the Year for the 2024 season. “This award means a lot to me because it was my goal from the beginning of the season and...

APTOS—Ever since Aptos High began playing Palma High six years ago, the games have mirrored a sports drama blockbuster that leaves viewers hungry for a sequel. The two Monterey Bay powerhouses put on quite the performance yet again in front of a packed house at...

This week’s edition of the Pajaronian Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of Dec. 19-25.  Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit scores and stats to [email protected]. Follow sports editor Juan Reyes on Twitter @jmreyes831 for score and...