Sports

Santa Cruz Warriors forward Javan Johnson finished with a season-best 22 points in a 121-118 overtime loss to the Valley Suns at Mullett Arena on Thursday night.  Johnson drained six 3-pointers, while teammate Kevin Knox II followed closely behind with 20 points and nine rebounds....

For several local student-athletes, the last 12 months were filled with championship performances, inspirational efforts and unforgettable matchups. Some used their skills on the court, field, pool, track and trails to wow spectators, while others showcased their drive and attitude to inspire young and old.

WATSONVILLE—The Pajaro Valley girls basketball program has been in the rebuilding phase for the past three seasons, constantly improving year after year.  Grizzlies coach Mark Harris is hoping the pieces to the puzzle are in place so they can finally have the breakout season they’ve...

APTOS—Aptos High lost 10 seniors from last year’s boys basketball squad due to graduation including standout guard Cameron Saldaña and center Jack Spinelli, who led them to a Central Coast Section title game just a year ago.  Senior guard Trevor Brady said nobody expected them...

Monte Vista Christian announced the addition of two new head coaches for the upcoming 2024-25 prep sports year.  The school’s athletics website posted in June that Juan Diego Alvarez and Al Toney were brought on board to lead the girls’ soccer and boys’ basketball programs,...

Boys and girls basketball were both split into five divisions, boys and girls soccer were split in four divisions and wrestling found its home with three.

SALINAS—St. Francis High senior Julian Vargas came storming out of the gates at the sound of the pistol, looking to capture his first Pacific Coast Athletic League cross country title.  But it was York School standout senior Michael Julian who crossed the finish line first...

Aptos native Nikki Hiltz captured their third consecutive USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships title after winning the 1,500-meters in 4 minutes, 03.15 seconds at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. on Aug. 2. The 30-year-old former Aptos High standout edged Sinclair Johnson (4:03.77) and Emily...

Watsonville High junior Laya Ruiz had a simple plan going into this year’s cross country season: go big or go home. “I’ve definitely put in a lot more work than I have before,” Ruiz said. Ruiz has won three Pacific Coast Athletic League center meets this...