Sports

APTOS—Natalia Ackerman knows what it’s like to hoist a Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League and Central Coast Section Division III basketball title in a single season.  But that was so last season. The 6-foot-1 Aptos High senior forward has her eyes set on something bigger for...

St. Francis senior Lawson Orradre is a man of few words. This season, he let his actions speak for itself whenever he hit the football field. The Sharks’ senior recorded a team-high 53 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles in nine games played. He racked up 320...

The Oakland Raiders recently played its final regular season game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. I made the trip to Colorado to watch the “Silver and Black”, which nearly made an exciting come-from-behind victory. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr tried to connect with rookie receiver Hunter Renfrow on a...

Donovan Mendoza, Watsonville, (Jr.): Wildcatz’s junior had a team-high 20 points in a non-league loss to Strathcona Composite High on Monday in the Surf N’ Slam San Diego Tournament. Angelina Cortes, Monte Vista Christian, (Sr.): Mustangs’ senior averaged 17 points per game to help them win the Don...

The Monte Vista Christian girls’ basketball team played host in last weekend’s Don and Martha Price Holiday Classic tournament. However, the Mustangs’ friendly and generous reception came to a limit as they swept through the tournament in winning fashion. They defeated Hillsdale High, 61-40, on Saturday in the tournament...

This year’s high school football season came to an end a little more than a month ago. But the Pacific Coast Athletic League Board of Managers recently announced its final decision regarding placements for next year’s divisions. There was some shifting going around and I’m...

WATSONVILLE—The Monte Vista Christian girls’ basketball team surprised a lot of people after it made a deep run in last year’s Central Coast Section playoffs. The Mustangs were eliminated in the Division IV semifinals. Yet, returning players such as senior guard Angelina Cortes are more...

Kevin Rincon, Pajaro Valley, (Jr.): Grizzlies’ junior recorded a goal in a 2-0 win against Soquel High in non-league play. He has eight goals for the Grizzlies this season. Natalia Ackerman, Aptos, (Sr.): Mariners’ senior recorded a double-double with 16 points and 21 rebounds in...

WATSONVILLE—St. Francis High girls’ basketball coach Randy Braga has a motto that goes “progress, not perfection.” It’s a saying that has stuck with him throughout his coaching career, which has seen success from league championships to Central Coast Section titles. “I don’t expect perfection but I...

Christian Quintero, Pajaro Valley, (Sr.): Grizzlies’ senior led the way with 34 points in a non-league loss against Soquel High in last week’s Scattini Tourney at Palma High. Marissa Martinez, Watsonville, (So.): Wildcatz’s sophomore recorded her first career double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds...