Sports

For the first time in 49 years, the Gavilan College men’s basketball team can call itself champions. The Rams defeated San Jose City College 75-57 last Friday, clinching just their second conference title in program history (the only other title came in 1969). The Rams finished the regular-season at 23-4 overall and 9-3 in the Coast Conference South Division, earning the No. 7 seed in the California Community College Northern California playoffs. Gavilan plays host to No. 10 seed Modesto (20-8) on Friday.

There’s a reason they play these games. On paper, there was really no reason for the host Oakwood High girls basketball team to beat Redding’s Shasta High Tuesday. After all, Shasta is bigger, better, and more experienced in the tough Central Coast Section playoffs. And that’s why they don’t leave the results to stats alone; because on paper, heart doesn’t show up as a stat.

Even though the Sobrato High boys basketball team is having a rough time in the Blossom Valley League’s Mount Hamilton Division standings—the team was 0-14 competing in one of the toughest leagues in the Central Coast Section—it’s players like sophomore Ignacio Bettinelli who give the Bulldogs optimism for the present and future.

After the completion of every game, Live Oak High senior Jaime Martinez joins his teammates in a single-file line for the traditional post-game handshake with the opposing team. Martinez usually receives compliments from the opposing coach, including one who referred to him as sonic—as in Sonic the Hedgehog, the popular video game franchise that featured a protagonist who could run and jump at high speeds.

If the Gavilan College men’s basketball team can win its season-finale against San Jose City College on Friday, it will clinch its first conference championship since 1969 and just the second in program history. The Rams (22-4 overall, 8-3 Coast Conference South) have an excellent chance of doing just that, as they have already beaten San Jose City two times this season.

In her freshman and sophomore years at Live Oak High, senior Grace Smith encountered a unique set of circumstances whenever the Acorns played Leland. The coach on the other sideline was none other than her dad, Terry, who has been instrumental in helping Grace develop into a well-rounded student-athlete.

After leading from the opening tip, the Sobrato High girls basketball team saw Gunderson High roar back to make it 36-36 entering the fourth quarter. With first place in the Blossom Valley League’s Mount Hamilton Division on the line, Bulldogs junior Kianna Maldia knew this was a make or break moment for the team.

There used to be a time when Emmy Goble never said a word on the soccer field. Times have changed for Goble, a Live Oak High senior midfielder who plays a key role for an Acorns team that entered the week at overall and in the Blossom Valley League’s Division.

For the longest time, the Oakwood High boys basketball team could walk into a gym against a league foe and know it was going to win, even if it had an off game. That is no longer the case, as the Hawks are in their first season playing in the competitive Mission Trail League.

Kayla Morales will never be mistaken for a rah-rah type of player. Rather, the Sobrato High senior lets her actions do all the talking. Quiet, unassuming and humble, Morales has been an integral part of a Bulldogs team that is seeking its first Central Coast Section playoff championship in program history.