Pig as prize
San Lorenzo Valley High junior Emily Holmes nailed seven 3-pointers on her way to 21 points and a pig during the Cougars girls basketball team’s Dec. 3 loss to King City High.
But the defeat was an afterthought. Mike Holmes, in an effort to create more excitement in girls basketball, had promised his daughter he would buy her a teacup pig if she scored 20 points in a game.
She did it.
“I’m trying to bring some noise to our girls sports,” Holmes, a parent on the team said.
Although no animals are allowed on the San Lorenzo Valley High campus, Principal Karen van Putten allowed an exception for Louie the pig to attend the girls basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 11. Louie, Mike Holmes said, was just a stand-in until he can order a pig, which must be purchased before it is born, he said.
Athletic Director Mark Mercer is on board.
“We’ve also got the Red Sea to come to girls games,” Mercer said, referring to the loud student cheering section that wears the school colors of red and black. “The last couple of years, it has been just a guys thing, but the girls have responded, and there have been more (fans) every game.”
Mike Holmes also said the entire girls team would earn pedicures by holding the opposition to fewer than 50 points, which they did Tuesday, despite losing 36-26.
Tryout rescheduled
A Dec. 2 tryout for the Scotts Valley based Trouble under-18 girls softball team was rained out and rescheduled for Sunday, Dec. 16.
Pitchers and catchers will try out from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and all other players from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Scotts Valley High School softball field, 555 Glenwood Drive, in Scotts Valley.
Players should arrive 15 minutes early.
The team plays in American Softball Association gold-level tournaments and showcases throughout the region.
For information: Matt Houseman, 461-1557; or www.eteamz.com/troublegold
Warriors 4-1 in Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz Warriors opened their season 4-1 during a season-opening seven-game road trip.
The team, in its first season in the county, will play in Idaho on Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15, before hosting Bakersfield at 5 p.m. Dec. 23 in Santa Cruz.
The Warriors moved to Santa Cruz from North Dakota during the offseason.
A 2,500-seat arena where the team will play its home games is nearly finished at 140 Front St. in downtown Santa Cruz.
The team is scheduled to play games through April, including 24 home games.
For information: www.santacruzbasketball.com
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