SALINAS VALLEY — With just three games left in the regular season, the Soledad High boys basketball team has a one-game lead in the Cypress Division of the Pacific Coast Athletic League.
The Aztecs control their own fate as they played at home with Monte Vista Christian on Monday (after press deadlines), are on the road Wednesday night against North Salinas and complete the regular season on Friday at home against King City.
The Monte Vista game was huge, as they defeated Soledad, 92-82, last month in Watsonville. The Aztecs were in first to start the week at 10-1, while Monte Vista and North Salinas are in second place at 9-2.
“We have a big week coming up this week,” said Aztec head coach Nick Twitchell. “We are currently in first play and face both of the teams that are one game behind us in Monte Vista Christian and North Salinas. Our team is incredibly excited for this opportunity to compete for a division championship.”
The Aztecs put themselves in the position to win a title by receiving a forfeit win from Pacific Collegiate, followed by a win against the Greenfield Bruins. Pedro Morales led Soledad with 31 points and has 1,000 career points. Jeronimo Morales added 14 points and Marcos Landa had eight points and nine rebounds.
The King City Mustangs are in fourth place in the Cypress Division at 6-5 and are 11-9 overall.
Last week King City beat Greenfield, 55-53, with Johell Carrillo scoring 23 points and 17 rebounds for the Mustangs. Fernando Camacho scored 17 points, including two 3-point baskets.
King City ended the week with a 58-42 victory at home against Gonzales. Carrillo had a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, Alexis Alvarado contributed with 14 points and Emiliano Perez added nine points.
“The past two games, this group is really about unselfish play, trust in one another, and heart,” said King City head coach Jordan Ramirez. “If we keep bringing that same team first energy, winning the next three games is absolutely within reach, and with it a real shot in the playoffs.”
Greenfield’s Kenny Pajas had 15 points and Johnny Miranda had 13 points, while Omar Flores scored nine points and Azael Martinez had eight points in the King City contest.
In the Soledad game, Miranda led the Bruins with 22 points and Martinez had 10 points. Flores finished with eight points and Nate Trujillo put in seven points.
“We are a young team trying to find our identity and win close games,” said Greenfield coach Mark Hadden. “We have lost six games by eight points or less.”
Greenfield is 3-8 in the Cypress Division and has a 7-14 overall record.
Gonzales is 5-6 in the Cypress Division and 9-12 overall.
The Spartans began the week with a 70-65 loss to North Salinas at home. Alex Hernandez led Gonzales with 19 points, Fernando De Leon added 16 points and Joshua Mariscal joined his teammates in double figures with 14 points. Fernando Barragan just missed double figures with nine points.
In remaining games this week: the Spartans will host Seaside on Wednesday night and play at Pacific Collegiate on Friday; Greenfield will host Monte Vista on Wednesday and host Seaside on Friday; and the Mustangs host Pacific Collegiate on Wednesday and face Soledad on Friday.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
In the Cypress Division, the King City girls are in third place at 8-3 (13-8 overall), Greenfield is 3-8 (4-14 overall) and Gonzales is 1-10 (1-12 overall). Soledad is in fifth place in the Gabilan Division at 4-7 and 12-7 overall.
The Lady Mustangs played two games last week, defeating Greenfield, 44-16, and won at Gonzales, 48-12. In the Greenfield contest, Dania Rodriguez scored 10 points, Alizah Carrillo added nine points and Mikayla McLane finished with seven points.
Carrillo scored 14 points in the Gonzales game with three 3-point baskets and four steals, and Crystal Paramo scored 11 points and eight rebounds. Mikalya McLane added seven points.
Priscilla Hurtado led Gonzales in the King City game with five points and 10 rebounds and Camilla Ramirez added four points.
In their first game of the week, the Spartans lost 52-34 to North Salinas. Hurtado scored eight points with eight rebounds and Ramirez was active with six points and eight rebounds. Carmen Sanchez and Aalyse Martinez had four points each and Maryanne Camarena was a standout on defense.
In the remaining Cypress games: King City plays at Pacific Grove on Wednesday night and will host Marina on Friday; Greenfield plays at Pajaro Valley on Wednesday and will host Seaside on Friday; Gonzales hosts Seaside on Wednesday and travels to Santa Cruz on Friday to play Pacific Collegiate.
The Soledad girls lost a pair of games last week to the Alisal Trojans, 44-29, at home, and fell 48-33 to the Salinas High Cowboys.
Delylah Ocampo had nine points with seven rebounds to lead Soledad against Alisal. Aliyah Velarde scored eight points and Atiana Landeros had seven points and six rebounds.
At Salinas High, Ocampo scored 15 points with nine rebounds and Xochitl Orozco contributed with eight points.
“We played hard and kept games competitive but ultimately came up short,” said Aztec coach Kevin Pena. “We were led by our defense and guard play, particularly Aliyah Velarde and Delylah Ocampo who has grown into an excellent leader. As a captain she has continued to demonstrate that she is willing to lead by example.”
On Wednesday night, the Aztecs will host Watsonville before playing at Monterey on Friday.
