SALINAS VALLEY — After a year off due to Covid-19, boys and girls basketball has returned with a bang as several teams from South Monterey County are getting some key wins.
Gonzales Spartans
First up, the Gonzales Spartans entered the Mission 831 shootout and went 1-1 in the tournament.
In their first game, they fell to Pacific Collegiate, 66-55. But the Spartans were able to bounce back and beat Pajaro Valley, 66-53.
Gabe Mendez earned first team all-tournament honors.
Lady Spartans will see their first action Dec. 10 at Monterey, while the boys closed out the month against Hollister on Nov. 30.
Soledad Aztecs
The Aztec boys and girls teams from Soledad followed the trend of losing their first game of the season, just like their South Monterey County neighbors.
The boys traveled to Oakwood School and lost 60-51 in their season opener.
The Lady Aztecs started off the season with two home games. In their first matchup, they played North Monterey County but came up short, 42-31.
The girls team had no time to think about the loss because the very next day they had to play the King City Mustangs. The Lady Aztecs bounced back and beat the Mustangs, 54-43.
The Lady Aztecs will be back in action again on Dec. 17 against the Greenfield Bruins, and the boys played Nov. 30 against North Salinas.
Greenfield Bruins
Both Greenfield Bruins teams traveled up south to Templeton to start the season. The boys lost 63-48, and the Lady Bruins fell short by just three points, 50-47.
The Lady Bruins will be back in action Dec. 2, when they enter the Stevenson Invitational. The boys will play again on Dec. 16 against Coast Union at home.
King City Mustangs
With the King City boys not playing until Dec. 7 at Alisal, it’s front and center for the Lady Mustangs to get the season started.
The Lady Mustangs had to travel to Soledad for their first game of the season, during which they came up short, 54-43.
Some of the top performers for the Lady Mustangs were Gisela Contreras, who had 16 points on 5-9 from the field, while Daisy Andrade had 8 points on 4-5 from the field.
The Lady Mustangs were back in action on Nov. 29 at home against Watsonville, the results of which were after press deadlines.
