SALINAS VALLEY — With the beginning of the new year, play in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s divisions will begin this week in high school basketball.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
In the final preseason games of the season, the Soledad Aztec and Greenfield Bruin boys’ teams split their final two games. Both teams begin divisional play this week.
Soledad lost last Friday at home 61-30 to the Pacific Grove Breakers, then won on Saturday 74-46 against visiting San Lorenzo Valley.
In the game with Pacific Grove, Pablo Morales scored 17 points and gathered five rebounds to lead the Aztecs against the Breakers.
The following night, Soledad made 17 3-point shots to overwhelm the Cougars. Pablo Morales scored 36 points with 10 made threes. Calvin DeShazo scored 12 points with five rebounds and Pedro Morales added 11 points.
Soledad finished the preseason with a 4-8 record. The Aztecs played at Gonzales on Monday, and will travel to Watsonville on Saturday to battle the St. Francis Sharks.
Greenfield defeated the Harbor Pirates 71-44 last Thursday in the Bruins’ first game of 2025. Johnnie Miranda scored 20 points, David Diaz scored 18 points and Nayte Hernandez added 12 points with 10 assists.
On Saturday in Greenfield, the Harker School Eagles defeated the Bruins by a 60-50 score. Miranda led Greenfield with 15 points, while Hernandez finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Diaz joined his teammates in double figures with 12 points.
Greenfield was the only South Monterey County boys’ team to play in the Central Coast Section playoffs last season and returns to the Cypress Division. Among local teams, the Bruins have the best preseason record at 6-5.
Greenfield began the Cypress Division with a game Monday at home with North Salinas, and will play Wednesday against host Soledad and then host Gonzales on Friday.
The King City boys (1-8) opened the division on Monday at St. Francis and will host Pacific Collegiate on Wednesday night.
Gonzales (2-5) rounds out the four local teams in the Cypress Division that includes North Salinas, Pacific Collegiate and St. Francis. The Spartans hosted Soledad on Monday and will travel to Greenfield on Friday.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
In girls’ basketball, Soledad moved up to the Gabilan Division after winning the Mission Division last season.
The Aztecs finished the preseason with a 10-2 record under first-year head coach Tenisha Hill. Soledad hosted Monterey on Monday, plays at Alisal on Wednesday night and will host Hollister on Friday.
Greenfield (0-5) placed second in the Mission last season and is now in the Cypress Division. The Bruins began the week at Palma on Monday, hosts Seaside on Wednesday and then hit the road at Pajaro Valley on Friday.
King City (1-9) is in the Cypress Division and has a full slate of games this week. The Mustangs hosted St. Francis on Monday, play in Santa Cruz against Pacific Collegiate on Wednesday and then compete against Santa Catalina in Monterey on Friday.
Gonzales (1-0) moved to the Santa Lucia Division from the Cypress and played Notre Dame in Salinas on Tuesday night.
