Scotts Valley Middle School’s eighth-grade girls’ basketball team capped off an incredible season by finishing with an unblemished 17-0 overall record.
The Dolphins defeated Pacific Collegiate, 52-35, in the Central Coast Athletic League postseason tournament at Moreland Norte Dame School in Watsonville on Oct. 17.
Isabelle Jas was named the most valuable player, while Stella Van-Every earned all-tournament honors.
“I wasn’t expecting it, but I knew we were going to do really well,” Scotts Valley head coach Jerry Fusari said. “Super proud of the girls’ accomplishment and knowing that they all bought in.”
Scotts Valley also won the Holy Cross Sienna House tournament after defeating Holy Cross, 33-21, in the championship game on Oct. 23. Fusari said the championship score was the closest any team came within reach of them this season.
“If I was on the girls team this year, I would’ve been the sixth tallest player,” said Fusari, who also used to coach at Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley high schools. “And they’re multiple sport athletes.”
Other members on this year’s Dolphin girls’ team include Cali Spadaccini, Emilija Sutic, Zad Mohamed, Ada Tanner, Kate Brinly, Mila Randuch, Julianne Nivelle, Lily Deane and Emma Gilbert.
“They just were seasoned and everybody knew what was going on,” Fusari said. “Normally teams have maybe two or three girls that can play. We had eight, nine girls that can really play.”
Fusari also led the eighth-grade boys’ team to a 9-2 overall record, which was a huge turnaround for them after winning just one game last season.
“We stuck to our bread and butter, which was a 2-3 zone [defense],” Fusari said. “And we did one and outs where we just got the rebound after their shots and didn’t give them second chances.”
The Dolphins won the CCAL postseason Ed Kelly Classic following a 41-32 win over San Lorenzo Valley at Moreland Norte Dame School on Dec. 13.
Crosby Yatson, who was averaging a little more than 20 points per game, was named MVP, while fellow teammate Carson Solbes was named to the all-tournament team.
Allen Denworth was a rebounding machine and Maddux Bailey also played a huge role on the court. A pair of guards in Solbes and Eli Cox stepped up, as well.
“We had a healthy Crosby [Yatson], and he was injured all last year with his knee,” Fusari said. “And then some of the guys who were a little bigger that can play. It was a big surprise.”
Others on the Dolphin boys’ team included David Padilla, Casey Raffo, Daniel Young, Carson Samuels-Findley, Rishabh Patel, Nikolay Chekin and Stuart Griffth-Jones.
“I think both teams, we were together. We’re representing our school, Scotts Valley,” Fusari said.
Both the girls’ and boys’ teams play each other in the upcoming Jam fundraising event at Scotts Valley Middle School on Jan. 31.
