The father and son combination of Lawrence Crawford and Marqus
Crawford of Sobrato boys basketball were named Coach of the Year
and Most Valuable Player in the Blossom Vallkey Athletic League’s
Santa Teresa Division.
By John Power
Special to the Times
Morgan Hill – The father and son combination of Lawrence Crawford and Marqus Crawford of Sobrato boys basketball were named Coach of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the Blossom Vallkey Athletic League’s Santa Teresa Division.
The Bulldogs finished 20-8 in the regular season, advancing into the second round of the Central Coast Section Division III playoffs. They won their first-round game, but lost in the second round to eventual champion St. Ignatius of San Francisco. This was farther than the Bulldogs have ever advanced.
Lawrence Crawford said it is gratifying when a coach is so highly recognized by his peers. He said a coach is only as good as his players.
“You can be a good coach, but if you don’t have talented players you won’t win,” Crawford said.
Crawford said he owes his success to his assistant coaches and to his players, who he praised for executing the fundamentals they were taught.
He was proud of his son, Marqus, who he said has worked really hard in the four years he has been playing basketball at Sobrato and has developed greatly in those years.
Crawford said his son told him that one day he wanted to dunk on Shaquille O’Neal. Crawford told him that he should concentrate first on learning how to dunk against his peers and that is what Marqus has done.
The Bulldogs’ Mubarik Adulah was also honored by being named first team all-league in the Santa Teresa Division. Robert Mercado was named second team all-league. Jeff Mounteer of Live Oak was named second team all-league in the same division.
As for girls basketball, Melissa Cachopo and Shealyn Krunze of Sobrato were named first team all-league in the West Valley Division. Cachopo was also named Freshman of the Year. Megan Gulla of Live Oak was named second team all-league in the Santa Teresa Division.
In boys soccer, Shibin Tharayil of Sobrato was named Junior of the Year in the West Valley Division. His teammates Sam Stoner and Murilo Almeida were named first team all-league. Trevor Newcomb and Shibin Thrayil were named second team all-league. Matt Altamirano of Live Oak was named second team all-league in the Mount Hamilton Division.
In girls soccer, Katie Alton of Sobrato was named Senior of the Year and first team all-league in the West Valley Division. Alanya Bengiorno of Live Oak was named first team all-league in the Mount Hamilton Division. Her teammate Ashley Thomas was named second team all-league.
