The Santa Cruz Warriors are off to their best start in franchise history.
Darius Morris’ stellar play was a big reason for their 7-0 start.
Morris, a high-scoring guard, was named the G League’s Player of the Week after averaging 23.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists over the Warriors’ three wins from Nov. 12-18. He shot 46.3 percent from the field and 52.9 percent from beyond the arc during the trio of victories.
Morris started the season as the Warriors’ sixth man, but was inserted into the starting lineup four games into the year after two-way player Damion Lee was called up to Golden State.
He dropped 25 points in his first start to lead the Warriors to a 109-103 win against the Iowa Wolves on Nov. 10.
Three days later, he scored 25 points in a 115-112 win over the Northern Arizona Suns, and recorded a 19-point, 11-assist double-double in a 97-89 win over the South Bay Lakers on Nov. 16.
In his most recent game, Sunday’s 99-92 win over the Suns, he paced the team with 26 points while hitting four 3-pointers.
Santa Cruz will host the Salt Lake City Stars on Friday at 7 p.m.
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GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
• Locals earn spots on all-league teams – Monte Vista Christian senior Christine Vea and St. Francis senior Kathleen Tripp each earned a spot on their respective Pacific Coast Athletic League Second Team, the coaches from the league’s Gabilan and Mission divisions recently announced.
Vea made the PCAL-G Second Team, and Tripp earned a spot on the PCAL-M Second Team.
Vea, a four-year varsity starter who helped the program win a Central Coast Section title two years ago, helped the Mustangs stay competitive in a powerhouse division.
M.V.C. finished the year with a 13-19 overall record, and advanced to the postseason for the sixth straight season after taking fifth in the PCAL-G.
Fellow Mustang, senior Brityln Coleman, was named to the Sportsmanship Team.
Carmel senior Soana Laolotu and King City senior Grace Shepherd shared PCAL-G Most Valuable Player honors.
Tripp, a four-year member of the Sharks’ varsity squad, shone despite St. Francis’ 7-19 overall record and 1-11 PCAL-M standing.
Her teammate, senior Janessa Yniguez, made the division’s Sportsmanship Team.
Seaside junior Jocelyn Hernandez was named the PCAL-M M.V.P.
