High School Sports

Aptos senior Nick Tovani had a team-best 20 points for the Mariners boys’ basketball team in their 71-56 loss to Bellarmine in the 76th Annual Carmel Invitational on Dec. 21. Fellow teammate Isaiah Ackerman contributed 12 points, while Ryan Solorio had 10 points for Aptos,...

WATSONVILLE— The Saint Francis High boys’ soccer team struggled throughout the preseason to barely get just enough players on the pitch to begin a match. It’s been quite the challenge for Sharks’ first-year coach Valentin Barrelleza, who saw roster numbers reduced to as little as...

WATSONVILLE—The Monte Vista Christian girls’ soccer team took a big hit on the roster sheet after losing seven starters due to either graduation, students moving out of state or attending a different school.  That’s why it was a relief for first-year Mustangs coach John Martin...

Aptos High senior Eddie Alvarez wanted to prove this past season he was still the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League’s best returning soccer player in 2023-24. Last year’s all-league accolades stated otherwise, but nonetheless the Mariners’ standout was a force to be reckoned with anytime...

WATSONVILLE—Absolute domination was how Monte Vista Christian performed in its season opener against Del Mar with a 27-0 victory. Since then, they haven’t skipped a beat. Mustangs second-year manager Johnny Ramirez said it set the stage for them this season.  “I wanted that game to see where...

SAN JOSE—It seemed like a third time really was the charm for the Monte Vista Christian baseball team after the first two valiant efforts for a Central Coast Section title ended heartbreaks.  Junior second baseman Cannon Silva and his fellow teammates rushed to the middle...

SAN JOSE—Watsonville High senior forward Mateo Arias walked around the middle of the pitch, pumping both fists in the air and yelling “Vamos ” to his teammates. The Wildcatz boys’ soccer team had all the reason to celebrate after the defeating top-seeded Branham High, 2-1,...

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville High coach Roland Hedgpeth is a member on the Central Coast Section boys’ soccer committee board.   On Thursday, the board got together—like they do each year—to discuss division placements, seedings and first round opponents for the upcoming postseason. The Wildcatz earned the No. 2 seed...

One of the best parts of going into a new football season is getting a fresh start and going back to the chalkboard. A clean slate, so to speak.  It’s exactly what St. Francis High senior Mason Borrego and his teammates needed following a mediocre 2023...

This week’s edition of the Pajaronian Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of April 8-14.    Preps of the Week Boys: Aptos High senior Isaiah Work had one double and one RBI to help the Mariners baseball team edge Scotts Valley...