SALINAS VALLEY — The mark of the New Year means new opportunities for South Monterey County varsity basketball teams. With several local teams not having a great preseason, they still have a chance to win their league and make a run at the regular season.
King City Mustangs
The King City Mustangs boys team won their last game against Greenfield, 76-33, in the North Salinas Bob Steinbach Classic, but their record sits at 3-5. The Mustangs will travel to Soledad on Jan. 4 to start league play and will host Marina on Jan. 6.
The Lady Mustangs have played tough at times this season, but they have come up short with a 2-4 record. Leading scorer for the team is Gisela Contreras. The girls will open the season on Jan. 4 against Pajaro Valley before traveling to Santa Catalina on Jan. 6.
Greenfield Bruins
The Greenfield Bruins boys team will be looking to change the course of their season when league play starts. They finished with a record of 2-8. The Bruins will travel to Watsonville on Jan. 4 and then host Rancho San Juan, who they just lost to by two, on Jan. 6.
The Lady Bruins, who finished preseason at 5-6, can be misleading. After starting with a 1-5 record, they have gone 4-2 since. The girls will start league play by hosting Pacific Collegiate on Jan. 4 and then traveling to Rancho San Juan on Jan. 6.
Soledad Aztecs
In the first six preseason games, the Soledad Aztecs boys team started 4-2, but after a three-game losing streak, they finished with a 5-5 record. The Aztecs will start league play against King City on Jan. 4 and then travel to play their rival Gonzales on Jan. 6.
With many players missing the winter break, the Lady Aztecs currently have a 3-5 record. They were able to win their last game against San Lorenzo Valley, 61-53, in the St. Francis Lady Shark Shootout. The girls will finish the preseason with a game against Everett Alvarez Eagles on Jan. 7.
Gonzales Spartans
The Gonzales Spartans boys team finished with a preseason record of 2-5. The last victory came against Ceiba College Prep, 47-37. The Spartans will open up league play on Jan. 4 at Marina and then host Soledad on Jan 6.
The Lady Spartans, who haven’t been as active, finished the preseason at 0-2. The girls will open league play against Santa Catalina at home on Jan. 4, then travel to Pajaro Valley on Jan. 6.
