Sports

A year after leading youthful Aptos to a runner-up finish in the SCCAL, Hocom helped the Mariners capture their first outright league championship since 1982 with her brilliance on offense and defense.

A multi-car entourage from the Bay Area football squad surprised Gonzalez in leadership class with the $5,000 grant, a custom jersey and some one-on-one time with linebacker Eli Harold. Gonzalez said she was “stunned” she had beat out dozens of other applicants from 23 high schools across the Bay Area.

Seniors Monserrat Hernandez Marquez, Paige Dueck and Grace Rothman all received top honors after helping the Mariners to their fifth straight Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League title this season.

Tyler Keenan drove in a trio of runs to lead Monte Vista Christian to a 7-4 Monterey Bay League Gabilan division win over Salinas on Thursday in Salinas.

With 110 athletes to choose from, the Mariners once again have plenty of depth, but also carry a few stars that will be in the mix to win league titles.

Monte Vista Christian’s star striker opened up his senior campaign with a hat trick in an upset win over Aptos, and he closed it out by earning Monterey Bay League Pacific division Most Valuable Player honors.

The Pajaro Valley boys’ volleyball team lost their Monterey Bay League Gabilan division opener against Palma on Tuesday night in Watsonville.

A year removed from winning the program’s first league championship, Pajaro Valley is now in the Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan division and is expected to be, at the very least, competitive against the best the league has to offer.