SALINAS VALLEY — High school basketball teams across South Monterey County are getting in games before Christmas, and the season is rolling now that they already have a couple matches under their belts.
King City Mustangs
One of the trends to start this season was that every team has struggled early, and the King City Mustangs are no different, having dropped their first two games.
The good news for the Mustangs is their offense is heating up. Their ability to hit that outside shot has them 3-2 in their past five games.
So far this year, the Mustangs have four players that are averaging double figures.
Bryce Blair is scoring 15 points per game; Raul Garcia, who missed a couple games early on, is averaging 13; Adan Garcia-Loa, who had a 27-point game this season, is averaging 13; and Jjey Martinez, who had a 21-point game against Pacific Grove, is averaging 12 points.
Greenfield Bruins
After starting the season with a two-game losing streak, the Greenfield Bruins have won three of their last four games.
Bruins player Anthony Martinez has been the offense’s spark this year, scoring 15 points per game, which includes a season-high 22 points against Anzar.
Already one can notice the progression from last season. The Bruins only won four games, and this year they are already at three wins.
The Bruins will have a chance to test how far they’ve come when they play this Friday against Seaside, who usually puts out a good team that chases league titles every year.
Gonzales Spartans
This season the Gonzales Spartans have decided to challenge themselves with a loaded preseason schedule.
So far, the Spartans have played Soledad, Salinas High, Palma, Seaside and Harbor. All those teams are expected to contend for a league title in their divisions.
The good news for Gonzales is that once league play starts on Jan. 3, the competition does get easier.
Soledad Aztecs
Soledad was on a hot streak to start the season 4-0, with three of those wins won by more than 20 points.
But since the hot streak, the Aztecs have dropped three of their last four games to Carmel High Padres, Everett Alvarez Eagles and Antelope High.
This past Saturday, the Aztecs snapped their three-game losing streak by beating River City High School from Sacramento, 48-47. Soledad’s Jason Mendoza scored a team-high of 22 points in the contest.
Coming up next for the Aztecs is a long trip to Arizona, where they will participate in a tournament before Christmas.
