BREAKING: The Aptos High boys basketball team has finished in fourth place at the 12th annual Aptos High/Santa Cruz Warriors NorCal Invitational held at Kaiser Permanente Arena on January 4, 2023. In a crucial match, Half Moon Bay defeated Aptos with a score of 55-37, securing the third-place win.
Senior Gio Garduno-Martin led the Mariners with 16 points, but the team struggled early, trailing 15-2 after the first quarter and 28-11 at halftime. Despite narrowing the gap to just 10 points in the fourth quarter, they could not close the distance. Mariners coach Joseph Smith expressed pride in his team’s effort against a formidable opponent, stating, “I thought we improved as a team over the course of the tournament.”
Half Moon Bay’s junior Levi Meighan contributed 10 points to help his team clinch the victory. The tournament showcased intense competition, with Willow Glen defeating Pioneer 63-58 in the championship match and St. Mary’s of Stockton narrowly beating Los Gatos 76-73 in the consolation championship.
In recognition of their outstanding performance, Brayden Gumabo from Willow Glen was named tournament MVP, with other all-tournament honorees including Derek Quan from Pioneer and Cole Dobbins from St. Mary’s.
Aptos, now with an overall record of 4-8, will look to bounce back as they face Watsonville (3-5) this Friday at 7 p.m. The upcoming game represents a crucial opportunity for the Mariners to regain momentum after their recent tournament performance.
In girls basketball, Aptos High’s team also battled hard, ultimately losing to Branham in the seventh-place match, despite a thrilling finish where Eliya Chavez hit a buzzer-beater to send the game into overtime. The Mariners prevailed in the extra period, ending with a 41-38 victory.
As the basketball season continues, fans and players alike are eager to see how the Aptos teams will recover and adjust in their forthcoming games. The community remains supportive, rallying behind their teams as they aim for success in the weeks to come.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest developments in local high school sports.
