This week’s edition of the Press Banner Sports Ticker highlights local prep athletes for their performances during the week of April 8-14.
Editor’s note: There was no Press Banner Sports Ticker for the week of April 1-7 as both Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley high schools were on Spring Break.
Preps of the Week
Boys: San Lorenzo Valley High junior Keenan Buntz had two of his best outings at Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club to help the Cougars boys’ golf team beat Aptos and Soquel high schools in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League action. The Cougars’ No. 2 golfer shot an even par for a personal-best 31 to earn medalist honors in a 176-203 victory over Soquel High on April 10. Prior to that, Buntz shot 2-over-par 33 in a 181-186 win over Aptos to help SLV remain undefeated in SCCAL play at 7-0.
Girls: Scotts Valley High junior Taylor Wilson scored two critical runs and had two hits for the Falcons softball team in a 3-1 win over Aptos High in SCCAL action April 9. Wilson also scored a pair of runs and had one hit in a 16-3 crushing victory against Harbor High in league play April 11. Both wins helped Scotts Valley remain undefeated at 5-0 in the SCCAL standings.
Rising Stars
- Scotts Valley High junior Gracie Delgado had one home and three RBIs for the Falcons softball team in a 16-3 win over Harbor High in SCCAL action April 11. Fellow teammate Ellen Eagle had a pair of base hits, including one triple and three RBIs, while Isabella Williams had one double and three RBIs. Jazzy Doubek finished with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored for Scotts Valley.
- San Lorenzo Valley High junior Reagan Atkinson had two base hits, including one double, two RBIs and one run scored for the Cougars in a 10-1 win over Soquel in SCCAL play April 9. Fellow teammate Brooke Reed had two RBIs and one run scored, and Alyssa Struthers had one hit, one walk and two runs scored.
- San Lorenzo Valley High’s James Dahlen shot a 2-over-par 33 for the Cougars boys’ golf team in a 176-203 victory over Soquel High in SCCAL play at Boulder Creek Golf And Country Club on April 10. Fellow teammate Luke Fontinell shot a 34, followed by Mason Atkinson (39) and Wyatt McCabe (39). Leading the Knights were Luke English (36), Luke Battey (38), Cole Christensen (41), Peter Robbeloth (41) and Kyle Lambrechts (47). SLV will try to keep its 7-0 record intact against Scotts Valley at Boulder Creek Golf And Country Club on Tuesday at 4:30pm.
- Scotts Valley High’s Colton Duerson shot 6-over-par 41 to earn medalist honors for the Falcons boys’ golf team in a 230-238 loss to Aptos High in the teams’ SCCAL match on the front nine at Seascape Golf Club on April 11. Cal Rockow shot a 46 for the Falcons, followed by Will Jackson (48), Adrian Creamer (49) and Jack Hipwell (54). Ben Nowark shot a 42 to lead the Mariners, followed by Tyler Grosdidier (43), Shawn Roschelle (47), Luke Garvey and Justin Rifkind (49). Scotts Valley plays San Lorenzo Valley High at Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club, while Aptos hosts Santa Cruz at Seascape Golf Club. Both matches are scheduled for Tuesday at 4:30pm.
- Scotts Valley High senior Henry Spitzer edged Santa Cruz High’s Julian Arulanantham 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 1-0 (10-8) to help the Falcons boys’ tennis team secure a 4-3 win over the Cardinals in SCCAL action April 11. Scotts Valley swept all three doubles matches with senior Jules Dudek and sophomore Aditya Hannon at No. 1, senior Wesley Theissen and sophomore Gabriel Dodge at No. 2, and senior Hunter Young and sophomore Lincoln Verinsky at No. 3. The Falcons (6-1) play at Soquel (4-3) on Tuesday.
- Scotts Valley High junior Sofia Niklaus had five goals, one assist, three caused turnovers and 12 draw possessions, including seven draw controls for the Falcons girls’ lacrosse team in a 15-7 loss to Stevenson School in Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan Division play April 12. Skylar Dufour had a pair of goals, one assist and five draw controls. Dillon Fiorita had one assist and two draw controls, and Stella Cheney had two caused turnovers. Next up, Scotts Valley hosts Salinas High on Wednesday at 4:30pm.
Games to Watch
- Scotts Valley at Santa Cruz, softball – Tuesday at 4:30pm: The Falcons (5-4, 5-0) will attempt to keep their unblemished SCCAL record intact against the upset-minded Cardinals (4-7, 4-2).
- San Lorenzo Valley vs. Harbor, softball – Tuesday at 4:30pm: The Cougars (8-8, 4-2) look to bounce back following last week’s heartbreaking loss to Aptos.
- Scotts Valley vs. Salinas, girls lacrosse – Wednesday at 4:30pm: The Falcons (7-1, 5-1) will host a Cowboys (2-6, 1-5) team that has lost six straight, including an 11-2 defeat to Scotts Valley on March 14.
Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit scores and highlights to jr****@we*****.com. Follow sports editor Juan Reyes (@jmreyes831) on Twitter for scores and news updates.