Aptos hires alum Johnny Velez to lead wrestling program
Aptos High last week announced that Johnny Velez was named the new head coach for both the boys’ and girls’ wrestling teams.
The 31-year-old Aptos High alum is replacing long time coach Rudy Guzman who retired at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Guzman was an...
Falcons return to the gridiron in preparation for redemption season | PCAL football preview
There’s no need to disguise it.
As usual, the Scotts Valley High football team plans to play smash mouth football this upcoming fall season by running up the gut with power backs such as senior Eli Velez.
Velez, a senior, carried most of the workload last...
Falcons athletic director Louie Walters reflects on championship banner year
Louie Walters has been Scotts Valley High’s lone athletic director since the school first opened in 1999.
From state wrestling champions to undefeated league seasons for the football program, he’s seen just about everything. However, the 2023-24 school year was what Walters considered a unique...
Longtime Watsonville High wrestling coach Steve Okamura dies
Steve Okamura was a big contributor for kickstarting the annual Apple Cider Classic wrestling tournament at Watsonville High in 2010.
The longtime Wildcatz wrestling assistant coach also helped pave the way for dozens of girls who were hesitant to step on the mat in a...
SV’s Quinn Turowski named the Press Banner’s Boys Athlete of the Year
Scotts Valley High graduate Quinn Turowski has always been competitive in anything he does.
Whether it's making a move to grab the last slice of pizza or being involved with the go-ahead score, winning was always the driving force behind it all.
“I'm a competitor and...
SV’s Danica Kelley, Ashlyn Boothby named Press Banner’s Girls co-Athletes of the Year
In a way, Scotts Valley High graduates Danica Kelley and Ashlyn Boothby are on a collegiate path similar to a pair of former student-athletes who once ruled the campus.
Boothby is set to compete for the Stanford University cross country and track teams, following in...
Scotts Valley’s Blake LaRiviere named league’s top player | All-SCCAL baseball
Blake LaRiviere had the initial plan of playing for both the Scotts Valley High football and baseball teams to close out his senior year with a bang. Instead, he decided to opt out of the football season so he could focus on baseball and...
Scotts Valley’s Wilson recognized as league’s top player | All-SCCAL softball
Scotts Valley High junior Taylor Wilson earned the league’s top honors as the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League’s Player of the Year for the 2024 season.
“This award means a lot to me because it was my goal from the beginning of the season and...
Scotts Valley baseball advances to Division IV semifinals | CCS playoffs roundup
The season continues for the Scotts Valley High baseball team following a gem performance on the mound from senior Blake LaRiviere.
The ace hurler tossed six innings allowing just two runs on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts for the Falcons in a...
Scotts Valley takes down SLV to capture SCCAL crown | High school softball
Scotts Valley High junior pitcher Sofie Seese last week put on another strong performance in the circle to help the Falcons capture the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League crown for the first time in seven years.
The ace hurler allowed four runs (two earned) on...
Scotts Valley Unified School District’s financial review shows surprise revenue gains
Back when Scotts Valley Unified School District officials were charting a course for the 2023-24 school year, they figured they’d bring in $26.2 million...