Sports

Aptos High exploded for six goals in the first quarter, including four in the first four minutes, and the Mariners’ stingy defense clamped down on Carmel High’s usually potent offense to take control of the league with a 15-3 blowout win on Wednesday night at Trevin Dilfer Field in Aptos.

And it’s arguably the biggest reason why the No. 3-seeded Hawks, powered by an airtight defense and an on-fire attack, will play at top-seeded San Marin High tonight for the NorCal Division V championship.

And top-seeded South San Francisco High, with enough heart and passion to make NBA great Kevin Garnett seem tame, took full advantage to dethrone the defending Central Coast Section Division III champs, 66-50, and win the program’s first-ever section title at Piedmont Hills High.

Jessica Rodriguez, a sophomore already committed to play at NCAA Division I UNLV, was recently named the Monterey Bay League Gabilan division’s Pitcher of the Year by the coaches of the seven-team league.

The Seahawks (1-5, 0-1) lost three fumbles and threw an interception in the first half and the Mustangs (6-0, 2-0) turned all four takeaways into scores to take a 33-2 lead.

The Aptos High Mariners have had a whole week to prepare for their Monterey Bay League Gabilan division debut against the Palma High Chieftains and they without a doubt needed the extra time to sort out their shortcomings over the first three weeks of the season.

Christian Quintero poured in a career-high 46 points to lead No. 10 Pajaro Valley over No. 7 Mills, 75-67, and into the quarterfinal round of the Central Coast Section playoffs for the first time in program history.

Kelly Taylor scored five goals, including the game-winner with 1:48 left to play, to lift the Aptos High Mariners girl's water polo team to a 10-9 win over the Christopher High Cougars on Thursday in Monterey Bay League Gabilan division play on the road.