SALINAS VALLEY — South Monterey County high school boys’ and girls’ basketball teams began the Pacific Coast Athletic League division schedule last week.
The Greenfield boys have the best overall record with 7-6 and are 1-2 in the Cypress Division, and the Soledad girls improved to 12-3 overall and are 2-1 in the Gabilan Division.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Greenfield began the week with a 63-49 home win against North Salinas, then dropped an away game with Soledad and a home game with Gonzales.
On Jan. 6, the Bruins’ Christopher Morris scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win over North Salinas. Johnny Miranda scored 18 points with eight rebounds, and Naythen Hernandez just missed double figures in scoring with nine points and added eight assists and eight rebounds.
At Soledad on Jan. 8, the Bruins were beaten 60-38 by the Aztecs. Morris led Greenfield in scoring with 17 points. Pablo Morales led Soledad with 15 points and Pedro Morales added 13 points. Anthony Medina, Anikan Taverez and Bryan Villegas combined for 22 points.
Last Friday at home, Gonzales downed the Bruins by a 69-62 tally. Miranda led Greenfield with 18 points, Morris scored 11 points and Omar Flores scored nine points and added nine rebounds.
Gonzales had four players score in double figures, led by Alejandro Anguiano with 17 points. Jayden Vasquez, Andre Gonzales and Fernando De Leon scored 14 points apiece for the Spartans.
Soledad beat Gonzales 68-41 on the road on Jan. 6. The Aztecs were led by Pablo Morales with 26 points, Villegas with 13 points and eight points each by Pedro Morales and Anakin Tavarez.
Last Saturday, Soledad lost 69-61 to the St. Francis Sharks. Pablo Morales scored 18 points and Pedro Morales scored 12 points. Tavarez and Villegas combined for 25 points.
In games this week, Soledad hosted Pacific Collegiate on Tuesday night and plays at King City on Thursday; Greenfield plays at St. Francis in Watsonville on Thursday; Gonzales hosted St. Francis on Tuesday night; and King City played at North Salinas on Tuesday.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Soledad High girls went 2-1 to start the Gabilan divisional play.
On Jan. 6, the Aztecs defeated the visiting Monterey Toreadores 69-58. Delylah Ocampo had a game-high 30 points and added six steals and three assists. Justina Botello scored 10 points with eight rebounds and three steals. Valeria Segura came back after a two-week injury and finished with 10 points, five blocks and five rebounds, and Aliyah Velarde contributed with eight points, five blocks and five rebounds.
On Jan. 8, the Aztecs were edged 49-48 by the Alisal Trojans in Salinas. Segura led Soledad with 17 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots, while Botello scored 10 points and Ocampo had nine points.
Last Friday in the final game of the week, Botello and Ocampo scored 21 points apiece and combined for 12 rebounds in the 56-40 win over the Hollister Haybalers. Segura had 19 rebounds, scored nine points and handed out three assists.
Gonzales returned to the hardwoods after a month off and began Santa Lucia divisional play with a 70-0 win over Notre Dame on Jan. 7, followed by a 44-9 victory against Ceiba.
Angelina Navarro led the Spartans with 20 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists and six steals against Notre Dame. Jackie Camacho scored 10 points, with five steals and six rebounds, and Maryanne Camarena scored 14 points and had 12 steals and nine rebounds.
Against Ceiba, Navarro had another double-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and five blocked shots. Camarena added eight rebounds, five steals, five rebounds and six assists. Ailette Reyes scored six points with eight rebounds and four assists, and Priscilla Hurtado had six points, seven rebounds and three assists.
King City High girls began the week with a 61-35 setback against St. Francis on Jan. 6. Amity Hearne led the Mustangs with 16 points and 18 rebounds. Hearne is currently the No. 1 rebounder in the Central Coast Section.
Two nights later, the Lady Mustangs traveled to Santa Cruz and beat Pacific Collegiate 39-35. Katia Slama led King City with 18 points and Janesa Lopez finished with 17 points.
Last Friday in Monterey, the Mustangs routed Santa Catalina 64-12. Crystal Paramo led King City in scoring with 17 points and Slama had 14 points.
The Greenfield Bruins lost their first game in the Cypress Division 49-36 to Palma in Salinas last Monday. Aleena Salas scored 12 points and added seven rebounds.
On Jan. 8, the Lady Bruins crushed host Seaside, 42-16. Lesley Santiago led Greenfield with 19 points and 10 rebounds and Jenny Villa scored eight points with six steals.
The Bruins edged Pajaro Valley on the road last Friday, 27-26. Santiago led Greenfield with 12 point and 16 boards.
In girls’ basketball games this week, Soledad plays Thursday in Watsonville; Gonzales is on the road this week against York on Monday and Oakwood on Friday; King City played at Palma on Tuesday night and plays at Seaside on Thursday; Greenfield hosted Santa Catalina on Tuesday night and plays at St. Francis on Thursday in Watsonville.
