Stellar Season for SLV Boys & Girls Basketball
San Lorenzo Valley High School’s Cougars enjoyed hardwood success despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Front row (from left): Makayla Sutter, Jadynne Swint, Emmi Steiger, Ashli Trageser • Middle row: Lillie Trageser, Maiya Armstrong, Lucy Lilienthal-Wynn, Jamie McLean, Hannah Morley • Back row: Emma LaVerne, Abby Lahey, Head Coach Adam Johnson, Coach Shanan McFall, Sophia Lettiere, Alli Morley • Absent: Kiely Jordan
Both the boys’ team and the girls’ team captured the Santa Cruz County Athletic League titles, with banners for their gym, amidst being tested twice a week for COVID-10.
All the tests were negative, said Russell Gross, who coached the boys and personally tested negative 15 times.
The boys’ record was 13-2, including a 10-point victory over rival Soquel.
Success was sweet for Gross, who had coached the boys in middle school and became varsity coach three years ago. The team finished 1-23 his first year and 5-19 his second year.
Front (from left): Niko Iles, Michael Kelly, Jack Gross, Asher Dolinger, Max Baxter, Daniel DuVernois. • Second row: Cameron Gaither, Griffin Davies, Cade Petersen, Marshall Nielsen, Kai Groleau. • Standing: Vincent Verutti, Rider Saunders, Coach Jeff Groleau, Head Coach Russell Gross, Riley Mayo, JJ Jackman.
What led to the turnaround? Three freshmen — very good players — on varsity, and sophomores maturing as juniors, “a good group,” which includes his son, who is a junior.
“They’re a pleasure to coach — they like each other,” he said.
The girls’ team, coached by Adam Johnson and assistant coach Shanan McFall, finished with a 7-0 league record and 8-2 overall.
Freshman Hannah Morley was the top scorer, making 45 percent of her two-point shots, and sophomore Lucy Lilienthal-Wynn was the second-leading scorer, making 44 percent of her three-point attempts.
Freshman Maiya Armstrong led in rebounds averaging 6.7 per game.
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Photos by Lucjan Szewczyk