Soquel Boys and Scotts Valley Girls Capture SCCAL Basketball Titles

APTOS — In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, the boys’ basketball team from Soquel High claimed the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League (SCCAL) title with a decisive 54-32 victory over Aptos High on March 2, 2024. This marks Soquel’s first league championship since 2013, and they achieved it without a single loss this season, a feat last accomplished in 2003.

The Knights, who entered the tournament as the top seed, demonstrated their determination to add the SCCAL Tournament championship banner to their accolades. After a challenging first half characterized by turnovers and a low scoring pace, Soquel rallied to secure the win at Cabrillo College. Senior center Connor Corlett led the Knights with 15 points and an impressive 16 rebounds. Reflecting on the victory, Corlett stated, “This means a lot. We haven’t won in a while. This is just extra; we’re keeping it rolling.”

Soquel finished the season with a record of 21-5, overcoming a 5-3 deficit after the first quarter to lead 20-14 at halftime. Junior Chase Petersen contributed significantly with three 3-pointers, totaling 11 points, while junior guard Cole Christensen added 10 points and senior Miles Johnson chipped in with nine points.

The Knights’ defense played a crucial role in their victory, as they pressed throughout the game, maintaining high energy and control on the boards. This effort marked the tenth time this season that Soquel has held an opponent to 40 points or less, showcasing their defensive prowess.

In his post-game comments, head coach Chris Christensen acknowledged the challenges of last season, where he inherited a team with eight seniors. “The story here is pretty amazing,” he said. “This team has played so unselfish. Our leading scorer averages 12 points and our fifth scorer averages eight. Really, teams can’t take something away.”

Aptos, finishing the season at 13-14, saw their junior forward Levi Race score a game-high 16 points, making all eight of his free-throw attempts. However, they struggled to keep pace with Soquel’s scoring as the game progressed.

Scotts Valley Girls Dominate in Championship Game

In the girls’ championship match, Scotts Valley High continued their strong performance, defeating Aptos High 60-25. The Falcons, who finished as the SCCAL regular-season champions, relied on their defensive strength to secure another significant victory.

Junior guard Hanna Shehorn led the Falcons with 23 points, including an outstanding stretch where she scored 18 consecutive points during an 18-5 run. “I’m happy with how we played out there,” Shehorn noted, reflecting on the team’s performance and their readiness for the upcoming playoffs.

Scotts Valley’s defense proved relentless, forcing over 20 turnovers from the Mariners and limiting their scoring opportunities. Freshman center Isabelle Jas contributed solidly with nine points and 20 rebounds, further cementing the Falcons’ control of the game.

The Falcons, who hold a remarkable record of 24-1 this season, will await their postseason placement following the CCS seeding meeting scheduled for March 6, 2024. Coach Stu Hurvitz expressed confidence in his team’s preparation for the playoffs, emphasizing their aim for a CCS championship.

Fans and players alike eagerly anticipate the upcoming challenges as both Soquel and Scotts Valley gear up to continue their successful campaigns in the postseason.