UPDATE: The Aptos High boys basketball team faced a tough defeat against Half Moon Bay, losing 55-37 for third place in the 12th annual Aptos High/Santa Cruz Warriors NorCal Invitational at Kaiser Permanente Arena on Wednesday. This loss means Aptos finishes fourth in their own tournament, leaving players and fans eager for improvement.
Senior Gio Garduno-Martin led the Mariners with 16 points, but his efforts were not enough to overcome a challenging start. Aptos fell behind 15-2 after the first quarter and 28-11 at halftime. Despite narrowing the gap to 10 points early in the fourth quarter, they could not secure a comeback. “I was proud of how we competed today against a tough opponent,” said Mariners coach Joseph Smith. “I thought we improved as a team over the course of the tournament.”
The Cougars’ junior Levi Meighan added 10 points to the mix, contributing to Half Moon Bay’s overall performance as they improved to 5-5. Meanwhile, Aptos’ record now stands at 4-8, with their next game scheduled against Watsonville on Friday at 7 p.m.
In other tournament action, Willow Glen secured the championship by defeating Pioneer 63-58, while St. Mary’s of Stockton edged out Los Gatos 76-73 in the consolation bracket. Notably, Willow Glen’s Brayden Gumabo was named tournament MVP, highlighting the competitive spirit and talent on display throughout the event.
As the Aptos Mariners look to regroup, the focus will be on refining their strategy and building momentum heading into their upcoming match. Fans are encouraged to rally around the team as they strive for victory in their next challenge.
Stay tuned for more updates as the basketball season progresses and the Mariners aim to turn their fortunes around.
