San Lorenzo Valley High boys golf team found their way back into the win column with a 184-206 victory against Soquel High in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League play on March 26.
Tanner Brewer, a senior, earned medalist honors after he shot a 34 at Boulder Creek Country Club, helping the Cougars get their fourth match win of the season.
Other low scorers for SLV included junior Garret Dahlen with a 36, followed by junior Lochlin Bischofberger (38), Ryder Schram (38), Carson Chubb (38) and Isaac Skinner (41).
SLV head coach Philip D’Andrea said in an email they can feel there is a target on their backs coming in as the defending SCCAL champions. He added the pressure is certainly there but he loves it as a coach, and for the golfers.
“Nothing wrong with good, hard and healthy competition,” D’Andrea said. “It keeps you on your toes.”
The rest of the league, which includes Aptos, Harbor, Santa Cruz, Soquel and Scotts Valley, are gunning for the Cougars.
“You can see it and feel it from the players, coaches and surprisingly the parents too,” D’Andrea said. “Deep stares, crossed arms, serious faces everywhere. It’s great.”
SLV lost some key golfers in James Dahlen, Keenan Buntz and Luke Fontinell due to graduation. The trio dominated the field in 2024 and ‘25, making it easier for then assistant coach D’Andrea to breathe a little more.
In his first season at the helm, D’Andrea said he can feel the weight and pressure for the first time in his four years with the program.
“This is totally a rebuilding year, but so far so good,” he said.
Garrett Dahlen and Brewer have taken charge of the young squad, while Bischofberger continues to step up by keeping the Cougars within reach in each match this season.
Schram is new to the game of golf, yet he earned his way up the ranks to a spot on the varsity team.
“I am very proud of [Schram] and his achievements to compete on a varsity level,” D’Andrea said.
SLV’s newest skipper has been impressed with this group’s maturity level, overall. Despite being on the younger side, D’Andrea said they focus, follow directions and are well mannered.
“It makes it much more pleasant and fun on the day to work with these players four days a week,” D’Andrea said.
D’Andrea also pointed out their camaraderie, saying they are a tight-knit bunch with respect for one another.
“That’s what makes the difference,” he said. “That’s what wins championships. And they definitely have what it takes to do it again and again.”
Next up, SLV (4-2) hosts Scotts Valley in SCCAL play at Boulder Creek Country Club on Thursday at 4:30pm.
Falcons fall to Aptos in SCCAL play: Scotts Valley suffered a 214-229 loss to Aptos in SCCAL play on March 26.
Seamus Drees and Hudson Spielvogel each shot a team-best 45 for the Falcons, followed by Brogan Beasley (46), Gavin Doherty (46) and Adrian Creamer (47).
Scotts Valley plays SLV in SCCAL play at Boulder Creek Country Club on Thursday at 4:30pm.
High school baseball
SV’s win streak snapped by Aptos: Scotts Valley dropped to 2-2 in the SCCAL standings following an 11-4 loss to Aptos on Tuesday afternoon.
Junior Rex Thompson had a pair of doubles and one RBI for the Falcons, while teammate junior Monte Jordan had three hits, one RBI and scored one run. Sophomore Mikey Lyons and junior Owen Martin each had one base hit and scored one run for Scotts Valley, which had its three game win streak snapped.
Next up, Scotts Valley (5-7, 2-2) plays at Harbor on Friday at 4pm.
Cougars lose seventh straight: SLV was narrowly edged by Santa Cruz, 8-6, in SCCAL play Tuesday.
Gus Nunns finished with a team-best four hits and three RBIs for the Cougars, who dropped to 1-13 this season. Teammate Porter Boyd had three hits and a pair of RBIs, while Brody Egner had one double and scored two runs.
Next up, SLV (1-13, 0-4) plays at Aptos in SCCAL play on Friday at 4pm.
High school softball
Cougars extend win streak to two: SLV came out swinging the bats in a crushing 23-7 win against Santa Cruz in SCCAL play Tuesday.
Freshman Skylar Cloyd had two base hits, including one double, scored one run and tallied a team-best four RBIs for the Cougars, who improved to 3-1 in league play this season.
Teammate senior Brooke Reed had a pair of hits, one stolen base, three RBIs and scored three runs, while freshman Ida Robertello had three RBIs and scored three runs for SLV. Sophomore pitcher Bailey Filice recorded the win in the circle, allowing seven runs on six hits while tallying one strikeout.
Grace Purtscher finished with a team-best three strikeouts for the Cougars, who were fresh coming off an 8-4 victory over Scotts Valley in SCCAL play on March 26.
Next up, SLV (6-4-1, 3-1) plays at Aptos in a battle for first place in the SCCAL standings on Thursday at 4:30pm.
Falcons drop second straight: Junior Lorelei Warner had a team-best three RBIs in Scotts Valley’s 10-9 loss to Aptos in SCCAL action Tuesday.
Warner had two hits, including one double and scored one run, while teammates junior Natalie Murray-Skalland and freshman Stella Van Every each had one base hit and a pair of RBIs.
The Falcons trailed 8-3 going into the fourth inning. That’s when they began chipping away at the deficit, scoring two in the fourth and three in the sixth frame. They added one run in the seventh frame but that’s as close as it got.
Junior Chloe Kent had one double and scored one run while tallying three strikeouts in the circle for Scotts Valley, which has dropped two straight in league play.
Next up, Scotts Valley (3-6-1, 2-2) plays at Soquel in SCCAL play on April 14 at 4:30pm.
Boys tennis
Falcons blank SLV in SCCAL play: Raphael Bouchet, Aditya Hannon, Colin Johnston and Simon Papadopolous each won their singles match in Scotts Valley’s sweeping 7-0 win over SLV in SCCAL play Monday.
In doubles action, Nate Wexler and Sam Galli defeated Sawyer Amos and Colten Scarborough of SLV in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 at No. 1. Scotts Valley’s Gary Kuriakose and Aidan Verhulp defeated Everett Calendar and James Collins in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 at No. 2.
SLV defaulted at No. 3 doubles due to having just eight players suit up. The match was originally scheduled for Tuesday but it was pushed back one day with rain predicted in the forecast.
Next up, Scotts Valley (3-5, 3-1) plays at Santa Cruz in SCCAL play, while SLV (1-4) plays at Aptos in league action. Both matches are scheduled for Thursday at 4pm.
Middle school wrestling
SVMS wins CCAL finals: Scotts Valley Middle School capped off a perfect season by winning the Central Coast Athletic League finals on March 27.
SVMS won the team title with a score of 242 points, followed by runner-up Branciforte (168) and Mission Hill (149) in third. New Brighton (109) placed fourth, Shoreline (92) took fifth and San Lorenzo Valley (68) was sixth.
SVMS finished CCAL play with a perfect 5-0 record, and carried the momentum into the league finals. It was their first league title in more than 25 years.
