UPDATE: In a disappointing finale, the Aptos High boys basketball team suffered a 55-37 defeat against Half Moon Bay for third place at the 12th Annual Aptos High/Santa Cruz Warriors NorCal Invitational at Kaiser Permanente Arena earlier today.
The Mariners, now standing at 4-8 overall, struggled to recover from a challenging start, trailing 15-2 after the first quarter and 28-11 by halftime. Senior Gio Garduno-Martin led Aptos with 16 points, while junior Levi Race added 15 points to the scoreboard.
Despite narrowing the gap to ten points early in the fourth quarter, the Mariners could not close the deficit. Coach Joseph Smith expressed pride in his team’s effort, noting, “I was proud of how we competed today against a tough opponent. I thought we improved as a team over the course of the tournament.”
Half Moon Bay’s junior Levi Meighan contributed 10 points as the Cougars improved to 5-5 with this victory. The tournament also witnessed Willow Glen clinching the championship against Pioneer with a score of 63-58.
Looking ahead, Aptos will face Watsonville on January 5, 2024, at 7 p.m. as they aim to bounce back from today’s loss. The stakes are high as the Mariners seek to regain momentum in the upcoming match.
Fans are encouraged to support the team as they continue their season, especially after showcasing resilience throughout this challenging tournament. Stay tuned for further updates as the Aptos Mariners aim to turn the tide in their next game!
