SALINAS VALLEY — With game cancellations and rescheduling happening all over the place due to Covid-19, Soledad High’s basketball teams are ready to return after a two-week break. But as one South Monterey County school returns, others are putting their games on halt.
Soledad Aztecs
Both Soledad boys and girls teams will be rushing to the finish line as they will play multiple times a week to make up for some of the postponed games.
The Aztec boys’ varsity team was the first to return to the court, winning their first game back against Greenfield, 72-42, on Jan. 14. Soledad’s Jason Mendoza had a team-high of 22 points.
But Soledad had no time to rest because the very next day they had a game against Carmel High. The Padres were too much for the Aztecs, as they fell 63-42.
Soledad will play at Watsonville on Jan. 18, and then go against Rancho San Juan on Jan. 21.
The Lady Aztecs are finally set to return this week at Gilroy on Jan. 18, and then against Pacific Grove on Jan. 20. They will play again on Jan. 24 against Monterey, followed by a makeup game against St. Francis on Jan. 25.
Gonzales Spartans
All the games for the Gonzales Spartan boys’ varsity team have been postponed.
The Lady Spartans, however, were able to take the court and got their first win of the season against Rancho San Juan, 54-40, on Jan. 11.
Among the team highlights is Gonzales player Angel Martinez, who has been on a roll these past three games, scoring at least 30 points. In her last game, she scored a season-high of 34 points, with 10 rebounds and eight assists.
The Lady Spartans’ next two games will be against Greenfield (Jan. 20) and King City (Jan. 21), both of which are on winning streaks.
Greenfield Bruins
The Greenfield Bruin boys’ varsity team was set to face Soledad last Thursday, but the game was moved back a day.
Greenfield had a seven-game losing streak entering their match with Soledad, a perfect time to get a win against a team that hasn’t been able to practice or play. But the Aztecs came ready to play, beating the Bruins by 72-42.
The Lady Bruins continue to get better, as they won both of their games last week against Pacific Collegiate and Rancho San Juan.
The team’s defense has been in full display. In their two games last week, the Lady Bruins only gave up 33 points, holding the teams to under 20 points in a game.
King City Mustangs
For the second week in a row, the King City boys’ varsity team had a game postponed, leaving them with only one game last week against Watsonville. The Mustangs ultimately lost, 62-48.
The Lady Mustangs only had one game last week against Pacific Collegiate. They won 50-15 and are now on a two-game winning streak.
King City player Gisela Contreras had a game-high of 14 and was 7-10 shooting from the field.
The Lady Mustangs’ game against Rancho San Juan on Jan. 18 was postponed, with their next matches set for Jan. 21 at Gonzales and then against Greenfield on Jan. 24.
