On Saturday, the Aptos High girls’ basketball team surprised Santa Cruz — 10-0 in league — to earn the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League tournament championship, and a banner to hang In the gym.
The outcome was stunning as Aptos had lost twice to Santa Cruz during the regular season, finishing in second place with an 8-2 record.
Asked what made the difference in this championship played at Cabrillo College, the Mariner girls had a one-word answer: Defense.
Sophomore Abby Sherwood, who is 5-10, scored 11, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked six shots. She was named Player of the Game by MaxPreps.
Freshman Gabby Wickham, a sparkplug who has been averaging 18 points per game, scored 11, added eight assists and five rebounds.
Laurel Southall, a senior, scored 9.
Berkeley Ashby, a junior, scored 6 and grabbed seven rebounds.
The Mariners keyed in on Tiera O’Connor, a sophomore who has been averaging 11 points per game. This time, she scored 6.
Ava Lord, a senior who also plays volleyball, led the Cardinals with 11.
Aptos is 18-8 overall and Santa Cruz is 20-6, with Central Coast Section playoffs starting Feb. 16.
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Aptos Boys Runnerup
Defense was the name of the game for the boys’ championship, too, with Santa Cruz topping rival Aptos, 43-36.
Aptos’ Johnny Cornejo taking a shot under duress.
The Mariners led 12-9 after the first quarter but the Cardinals pulled ahead by halftime, 23-17.
Santa Cruz avenged an end-of-the-season 46-45 loss to Aptos, bringing their record to 21-5.
Aptos is 18-8.
For Aptos, senior Mateo Calfee scored 17, mostly on driving baskets.
Johnny Cornejo, a senior, scored 7.
Junior Isaiah Ackerman, who had been averaging 18 points per game, was double-teamed whenever he had the ball. He scored 4.
Senior Lawrence Ingram IV scored 5.
For Santa Cruz, senior Ben Dotten scored 15, with 7 coming on free throws, an grabbed 10 rebounds, and Kirby Seals, a junior, scored 12.
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TOP PHOTO: Aptos High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball team celebrates it’s SCCAL Championship. From left: Coach Bruce Funk, Libby Reynolds, Abby Sherwood (next to Libby), Berkeley Ashby, (in front of Abby), Guin Lines and Laurel Southall holding banner, Sam Wickham, Eliya Sanchez, Gabby Wickham, Lillian McGee, Sophia Pursley, Grace Townsend, Angelina Arreola.