Local Sports

LOCAL SPORTS League Champions!

Stellar Season for SLV Boys & Girls Basketball

San Lorenzo Valley High School’s Cougars enjoyed hardwood success despite the coronavirus pandemic.

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.

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 LilienthalWynn was the second-leading scorer, making 44 percent of her three-point attempts.

Freshman Maiya Armstrong led in rebounds averaging 6.7 per game. n •••

Photos by Lucjan Szewczyk

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.