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SC champs-BOYS and GIRLS – All sports
BOYS – Season records 16-76
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BOYS Lightweight Champs
CCAL league info and champ by school to 76
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TEAM CHAMPIONS, CCS OR NCS PLAYOFFS
TOURNAMENT WINNERS BY TEAMS
(Doc: SC champs-BOYS and GIRLS – All sports)
Explanation of How the Playoffs Are Set Up and What CCS and NCS Stands For
Playoffs were not always done, so a team could win the championship and not go to playoffs as none was available. In the twenties the North Coast section (NCS), went from King City in the South to Mendocino county in the North. In 1942 a Northern section was added to CIF. NCS then included the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey. In the late 1960’S the Central Coast Section (CCS) was formed to cover the counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Monterey. Santa Cruz played in the finals of the first CCS baseball playoffs in 1967 and played in the finals of the first CCS basketball playoffs in 1968. All sports did not start having playoffs at the same time. Some sports would be in playoffs, while others would not.
When the section playoffs started, only championship teams were included and played in the same playoff. There were no separate divisions by the size of schools. This continued until 1980, when second place teams in at least baseball were included, so more teams were eligible to extend their seasons. The teams were seeded by points earned by games won with extra points given by beating a league champion.
The next step was deciding how many teams CCS wanted to allow to participate and each sport could decide. The brackets could involve from 16, 24 or 32 teams. The top two teams are still automatically included in the playoffs, but at large teams were added to fill out the bracket depending on how many teams the sport wanted to have play. For example the 1985 baseball team tied for third place in the SCCAL and had just enough points to be the last team included in the playoffs.
The next step was to have divisions broken up by the size of the schools. Schools were divided into Division I and II. Here again each sport can decide the number of teams allowed. The number of teams in a division is not always the same. For some sports there are five divisions. For football and baseball there are only three divisions. The Cardinal football team in 2008 won the Small Schools championship, a name change, from Division III. Santa Cruz’ school enrollment has dropped to just over a thousand students, which in most sports put them in the third division. Some sports only have two divisions.
All the leagues in CCS are now rated by sport into A, B and C leagues. Along the way points are given depended whether an opponent is a A, B or C rated teams. Playing and beating an A league team is worth more points than beating a B league team. Beating a C league team is worth less than beating a B league team. Just playing an A league team is worth something. A team in an A league could possibly as far down as sixth place in their league and still be eligible for the playoffs, if they had enough points. The team would be getting extra points by just playing a lot of A league games. Another reason would be they are a small school which would put them in a lower division. An example is Sacred Heart Cathedral of the A league Catholic Schools Athletic League has beaten SC in CCS playoffs with a much lower won-loss record.
The number of points given in baseball are 3 points for a win over an A league and one point for a loss. Beating a B league team is worth two points and a loss is minus .5 points. Beating a C league team is worth one point and a loss means zero points. The results of this point system, is the better teams want to schedule up rather than playing lower ability teams. Losing to a A league team is worth the same as beating a C league team and if they beat the A league team they will get triple the points of beating a C league team.
Sports Teams Listed in Alphabetic Order.
All dates are for the year the class graduated, even the Fall sports, which are played in the previous year and basketball, wrestling and soccer overlap two years. For all records in the web site this is how the dates are done.
If nothing follows the date it means the team won the championship. If there was a co-championship or the team finished lower then first place that is listed. If NCS or CCS follows the date, it means the team won the league championship and moved into the section playoffs. If the team did not win league, but placed second, third or more and still qualified for NCS or CCS, the finish in league will precede the playoff section. Any tournaments won will come last.
Every year listed stands for a sole championship season, so champs is not shown. Only other places as second, third are shown. If the team went off to CCS or NCS playoffs that is listed along with how they did, plus tournaments won.
BASEBALL
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1921 |
| 1922 CO-CHAMPS SALINAS |
| 1924 NCS FINALS |
| 1925 NCS lost first game |
| 1928 CO-CHAMPS SALINAS |
| 1933 |
| 1935 |
| 1936 |
| 1937 CO-CHAMPS WATSONVILLE |
| 1938 CO-CHAMPS WATSONVILLE |
| 1939 |
| 1945 |
| 1951 |
| 1957 Monterey Tournament Champions |
| 1960 |
| 1961 |
| 1962 CO-CHAMPS MONTEREY |
| 1963 |
| 1967 CCS REGION IV CHAMPS. CCS THIRD |
| 1968 CCS REGION IV CHAMPS CCS FINALS |
| 1969 CCS REGION IV CHAMPS CCS FINAL |
| 1970 CCS REGION IV CHAMPS CCS FINALS Salinas Tournament champions |
| 1971 CCS lost first game |
| 1972 CCS lost first game |
| 1973 PAL Tournament champions |
| 1975 MBL NORTH DIVISION TITLE |
| 1976 CCS REGION IV CHAMPIONS CCS FINALS |
| 1979 CCS lost first game |
| 1980 Second CCS lost first game |
| 1981 Second CCS QUARTER FINALS |
| 1983 CCS QUARTER FINALS Third seed in CCS playoffs |
| 1984 Third CCS lost first game |
| 1985 Three way tie for third SC in the CCS final four. SC lone remaining public school. Players say they are public schools champions. Only school at this point to play in four final fours in the single Division format. |
| 1989 CO-CHAMPS SOQUEL CCS lost in first round |
| 1992 Second CCS DIVISION II FINAL |
| 1993 Tied for second CCS DIVISION II QUARTERFINALS |
| 1998 CCS DIVISION II SEMI-FINALS |
| 2001 CCS DIVISION II SEMI-FINALS |
| 2002 CCS DIVISION II SEMI-FINALS |
| 2003 CCS DIVISION III CHAMPIONS |
| 2004 CCS DIVISION III FINALS ? |
| 2005 CCS DIVISION III SEMI-FINALS |
| 2006 Third CCS lost first game. This is sixth year of nine the team has made CCS playoffs |
| 2007 CCS DIVISION III QUARTERFINAL |
| 2008 Second CCS DIVISION III FINALS |
| 2009 Second CCS 0-1 |
| 2010 Third CCS 1-1 |
BASKETBALL BOYS
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1916 Co-Championship with Watsonville |
| 1917 NCS 1-1 |
| 1918 CO-CHAMPIONS WITH MONTEREY NCS FINALS |
| 1920 |
| 1922 |
| 1927 |
| 1929 TRI-CHAMPIONS WITH PACIFIC GROVE AND MONTEREY. LOST TO PG IN THE PLAYOFFS TO GO TO NCS |
| 1933 CO-CHAMPIONS WITH SALINAS. LOST IN PLAYOFFS WITH SALINAS. NO NCS |
| 1935 |
| 1936 CO-CHAMPION WITH WATSONVILLE |
| 1939 |
| 1940 |
| 1942 |
| 1953 TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS CONSOLATION WINNER at UC Berkeley |
| 1959 TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS SEVENTH PLACE out of eight teans |
| 1965 CO-CHAMPIONS WITH NORTH SALINAS, SC WON PLAYOFF To go the CAMDLLIA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS, which included Valley teams and those not involved in the UC BERKELY EVENT AND LOST THREE GAMES |
| 1967 |
| 1968 FINALS OF FIRST CCS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT. WON DADS CLUB |
| 1969 FINALS OF CCS TOURNAMENT. WON DADS CLUB |
| 1979 fourth. WON DADS CLUB |
| 1980 5-5 middle of league. CCS FIRST ROUND |
| 1985 CO-CHAMPIONS WITH APTOS. CCS DIVISION II SEMIFINALS |
| 1986 SECOND. CCS DIVISION II SEMIFINALS |
| 1988 CCS DIVISION III FINALS. NORCAL 0-1 |
| 1989 CCS DIVISION III FINALS. Newell took sabbatical |
| 1990 CCS DIVISION III QUARTERFINALS |
| 1991 THIRD. CCS DIVISION III FIRST ROUND |
| 1992 SECOND. CCS DIVISION III QUARTERFINALS |
| 1993 TIED SECOND. CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS |
| 1994 CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS. |
| 1995 SECOND. CO-CHAMPION WITH HARBOR. SC WON LEAGUE PLAYOFF. CCS DIVISION III QUARTERFINALS |
| 1996 CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS. WON DADS CLUB TOURNAMENT |
| 1997 CO-CHAMPS WITH SLV. CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS. |
| 1998 TIE FOR FOURTH. CCS DIVISION III, FIRST ROUND |
| 1999 CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS. |
| 2000 CO-CHAMPS WITH APTOS. CCS DIVISION III QUARTERFINALS |
| 2001 CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS. SC seeded fourth |
| 2002 TRI-CHAMPIONSHIP WITH MVC AND SOQUEL. CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS. |
| 2003 CO-CHAMPION WITH SOQUEL. CCS DIVISION IV SEMIFINALS. |
| 2004 CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS. Won Dads Club and Palma tournament |
| 2005 CCS DIVISION III CHAMPIONS. NORCAL CHAMPIONS. STATE DIVISION III CHAMPIONS. First ever county team to win a state title. Three preseason tourneys won: Dads, Palma and St. Francis for first time. Last season for coach Pete Newell Jr. |
| 2006 CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS. |
| 2007 middle of league 6-6. CCS DIVISION III QUARTERFINALS. |
| 2008 SECOND. CCS DIVISION III QUARTERFINALS. |
| 2010 CO-CHAMPIONS with St. Francis. CCS DIVISION IV QUARTERFINALS |
BASKETBALL GIRLS
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1975 Won Army, Navy, Seaside high tournament. Second season after non league short season |
| 1976 |
| 1977 CO-CHAMPIONS WITH APTOS. IN FIRST EVER CCS GIRLS BASKETBALL SC WON THE CCS REGION IV 2-0. IN THE FINAL FOUR CAME IN THIRD |
| 1981 CO-CHAMPION WITH APTOS. CCS 1-1, SEMIFINALS |
| 1983 CO-CHAMPION WITH APTOS. CCS DIVISION II SOUTH FINALS. RANKED IN TOP TEN OF CCS |
| 1984 CCS SEMIFINALS. Won 22 straight games |
| 1988 SECOND. CCS 1-1 |
| 1989 THIRD. CCS 1-1 |
| 1991 SECOND CCS 1-1 |
| 1992 SECOND CCS 1-1 |
| 1993 CO-CHAMPION WITH HARBOR. CCS FINALS |
| 1995 CCS FINALS |
| 1996 CCS 1-1 |
| 1997 CCS 1-1 |
| 1998 CO-CHAMPIONS WITH MONTE VISTA CHRISTIAN. CCS 1-1. Was seeded second. |
| 1999 CCS DIVISION II, 1-1. WON PIONEER TOURNAMENT |
| 2000 ? |
| 2001 ? |
| 2002 ? |
| 2003 ? |
| 2004 ? CCS |
| 2005 SECOND. CCS 1-1 |
| 2006 CO-CHAMPIONS/SOQUEL. CCS 1-1 |
| 2007 SECOND. CCS DIVISION III FINALS. NORCAL 0-1 |
| 2008 6-6 MIDDLE. CCS FINALS. NORCAL 0-1 |
| 2009 CCS DIVISION III CHAMPIONS. NORCAL 0-1 |
| 2010 CCS DIVISION IV CHAMPIONS. NORCAL 0-1 |
| CROSS-COUNTRY BOYS |
| Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year |
| 1973 FIFTH. CCS SEVENTH |
| 1977 |
| 1978 |
| 1979 THIRD. CCS REGION IV SECOND |
| 1980 CCS EIGHTH PLACE OUT OF 100 SCHOOLS |
| 1982 FOURTH. QUALIFIED CCS REGION IV |
| 1985 THIRD. CCS ? |
| 1986 SECOND. CCS REGION IV, SECOND |
| 1988 FOURTH. QUALIFIED CCS DIVISION II SUB-SECTION. SEEDED HIGHEE THAN ANY OTHER SCCAL SCHOOL. |
| 1989 THIRD. COMPETED AT CCS AS INDIVIDUALS |
| 1991 CCS REGION III FIFTH. NATE JOHNSON picked up points for SC at the CCS Division III finals taking third place and also at the State Division III meet taking fifth place |
| 1994 THIRD. CCS DIVISION III WITH NINE RUNNERS. |
CROSS-COUNTRY GIRLS
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1982 SECOND 5-1 LEAGUE. MADE CCS FIRST TIME EVER. PLACED THIRTEENTH |
| 1985 FOURTH. LYNETTE MUNGAI TO CCS |
| 1986 ONLY TWO GIRLS ON TEAM. ANNA LOCKS TO CCS REGION IV |
| 1987 FOURTH. MUNGAI TO CCS |
| 1988 INCOMPLETE. JENNIFER CAMERON TO CCS |
| 1989 INCOMPLETE. CAMERON AND MARI LONG TO CCS |
| 1991 3-3. CCS DIVISION III SUB-SECTION FIFTH |
| 1992 THIRD. FIRST TIME SINCE 1982 THE TEAM QUALIFIED FOR CCS |
| 1993 SECOND. CCS THIRD |
| 1995 SECOND. CCS FINALS TENTH |
| 1982 5-1 IN LEAGUE. MADE CCS FIRST TIME EVER. PLACED THIRTEENTH |
FOOTBALL
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1924 CO-CHAMPS/HOLLISTER |
| 1928 |
| 1944 |
| 1957 |
| 1959 |
| 1963 |
| 1968 |
| 1993 CCS FINALS |
| 2005 CCS SMALL SCHOOLS DIVISION |
GOLF BOYS
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1941 NCS AND STATE |
| 1942 |
| 1946 |
| 1947 |
| 1951 |
| 1952 |
| 1955 |
| 1989 THIRD. TWO GOLFERS COMPETED AT CCS INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION |
| 1991 SECOND. CCS FINALS TEAM PLACED SEVENTH OUT OF EIGHT TEAMS |
GOLF GIRLS
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
TEAM STARTED IN 2000
| 2005 SECOND. CCS SIXTH |
| 2006 Top CCS Golf team with a GPA average of 3.9 |
| 2010 CO-CHAMPIONS with Harbor |
BOYS SOCCER
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
STARTED PLAYING IN SCCAL ACTION IN 1975
| 1978 CCS REGION IV 1-1 |
| 1981 CCS 0-1 |
| 1982 CCS 1-1 |
| 1983 SECOND. CCS 0-1 |
| 1984 SECOND CCS1-1 |
| 1989 CCS DIVISION II SECOND PLACE |
| 1991 SECOND. CO-CHAMPION OF CCS DIVISION II SOUTH (MBL, MTAL, SCCAL) |
| 1992 SECOND. CCS DIVISION II 0-1 |
| 1993 TIE FOR SECOND. CCS DIVISION II 0-1 |
| 1995 CO-CHAMPION WITH WATSONVILLE. CCS ? |
| 1996 SECOND. CCS 1-1 |
| 1997 CCS DIVISION II, LOST TO WATSONVILLE IN FINALS. SC SEEDED FIRST |
| 2001 5-6-1 MIDDLE OF LEAGUE. CCS DIVISION II CO-CHAMPION WITH GILROY |
| 2002 CCS DIVISION II CO-CHAMPION WITH PIONEER. FOUR OT’S |
| 2003 CCS DIVISION II CHAMPION. 4-0 SOLE CHAMPS FOR FIRST TIME |
| 2004 CCS DIVISION II CHAMPION |
| 2005 ? |
| 2007 CCS ? |
| 2008 SECOND. CCS DIVISION II 0-1 |
| 2009 CCS DIVISION II, 0-1 LOSS TO CHAMPION PIONEER. First SC team to go undefeated in league since 1981. |
| 2010 SECOND. CCS DIVISION II CHAMPIONS |
GIRLS SOCCER
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1986 TEAM STATED PLAYING SOME GAMES, NOT IN LEAGUE, NO RECORD |
| 1994 THIRD. CCS DIVISION III NINTH PLACE |
| 1995 CCS DIV. III LOST FIRST GAME IN CCS PLAY 0-1 ON SUDDEN DEATH KICKS |
| 1997 SECOND. CCS DIVISION III 1-1 QUARTERFINALS. |
| 1999 SECOND. CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS |
| 2000 SECOND. CCS DIVISION III CHAMPION |
| 2001 FOURTH. CCS DIVISION III FINALS |
| 2002 THIRD CCS DIVISION III CHAMPIONS |
| 2003 CCS DIVISION III CHAMPIONS |
| 2004 ? ON PLACE. CCS DIVISION III LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 2005 ? CCS DIVISION III LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 2007 CCS DIVISION II CHAMPION |
| 2008 CCS DIVISION II SEMIFINALS |
| 2009 CCS DIVISION II FINALS |
| 2010 SECOND. CCS DIVISION II FINALS |
SOFTBALL
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1974 TEAM WAS FORMED. No records of games. |
| 1975 |
| 1976 |
| 1977 FIRST CCS SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS. CCS REGION IV CHAMPS, CCS FINAL FOUR |
| 1978 CO-CH APTOS |
| 1980 CCS REGION IV 1-1 |
| 1981 SECOND. CCS SOUTH DIVISION II SEMIFINALS |
| 1982 CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1983 CCS SOUTH DIVISION II FINALS |
| 1988 CO-CH SLV. CCS SOUTH DIVISION II SEMIFINALS |
| 1989 CCS SOUTH DIVISION II SEMIFINALS |
| 1995 CCS SOUTH DIVISION II, LOST IN FIRST ROUND. CHAMPIONS OF TWO TOURNAMENTS, DEL MAR AND MIGUEL MEMORIAL OF SAN JOSE |
| 1996 Won league, but do not have CCS games. Had to have played in CCS. Won Live Oak Tournament |
BOYS SWIMMING
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1960 FIRST OFFICIAL LEAGUE TEAM (Had teams in the past even when SC did not have a pool, but the teams were not in the CCAL) |
| 1965 WON MBL RELAYS |
| 1979 |
| 1986 THIRD. INDIVIDUALS TO CCS FINALS AT STANFORD |
GIRLS SWIMMING
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
1974 STARTED
| 1980 FOURTH. FOUR GIRLS QUALIFIED FOR CCS |
| 1982 (NEW PART OF CCS THE SOUTHERN LEAGUES (no playoff information) |
| 1983 (no playoff information) |
| 1984 UNDEFEATED DUAL MEETS. (no playoff information) |
BOYS TENNIS
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year. Only league championship and section participation years are listed.
| 1918 |
| 1919 |
| 1921 |
| 1922 |
| 1923 |
| 1924 |
| 1925 Hyman Wiezel, STATE singles Champion |
| 1926 |
| 1927 |
| 1928 |
| 1930 |
| 1931 NCS third |
| 1934 |
| 1935 |
| 1936 In 1936 and 37 Art Melliar and Fred Vanselus won the STATE doubles championship |
| 1937 |
| 1938 Bill Ashton and Jim O’Hara were STATE doubles champions |
| 1939 |
| 1940 Tennis was recognized as a major sport |
| 1941 Three way tie SC, Salinas and Monterey |
| 1942 |
| 1955 |
| 1958 |
| 1975 IT HAS BEEN SEVENTEEN YEARS SINCE THE LAST CHAMPIONSHIP |
| 1976 BEAT SALINAS IN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS Beat Salinas in playoffs |
| 1977 CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1978 CCS ? |
| 1980 CO-CHAMPIONS WITH APTOS. CCS ? |
| 1982 CCS REGION IV FINALS |
| 1983 CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1984 CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1985 CO-CHAMPIONS WITH APTOS. CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1986 CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1987 CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1988 CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1989 CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND. SEEDED FOURTH |
| 1990 CCS 1-0 |
| 1992 CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1993 CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1994 CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND. EIGHTEENTH TITLE IN 21 YEARS |
| 1995 CCS 1-1. FIRST TIME SC WAS ABLE TO WIN THE FIRST ROUND OF CCS. (MOST ALWAYS GOING AGAINST THE NUMBER ONE SEED.) IN SCCAL PLAY SC WAS THE CHAMPION EVERY YEAR BUT 1981 AND 1991. END OF DENNIS MULLEN ERA |
GIRLS TENNIS
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1974 FIRST SEASON |
| 1980 CO-CH APTOS. CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND. DOUBLES TEAM THIRD CCS |
| 1982 CCS REGION IV FINALS |
| 1984 CO-CH APTOS. |
| 1985 CCS 1-1. FIRST TIME A BOY OR GIRL TEAM HAS WON THE FIRST CCS MATCH |
| 1986 CCS LOST FIRST ROUND |
| 1987 CCS SEMIFINALS Barbara Bernard and Gwyn Adams |
| 1988 |
| 1989 |
| 1994 CO-CH APTOS. CCS LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1995 CO-CH APTOS ? |
| 2007 CO-CH APTOS. CCS ? |
| 2008 ? (TWO YEARS CHAMPS BUT NO INFO ON CCS) |
| 2009 Undefeated league Champions |
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
1916 SC has won the league track title eleven times in the previous twelve meets, which goes back to 1904.
| 1918 |
| 1919 |
| 1920 This is only the third time in sixteen years the Cards did not win. |
| The governing body of California high schools. |
| 1923 NCS FOURTH WITH 17 POINTS |
| 1924 NCS FOURTH |
| 1927 |
| 1928 |
| 1929 |
| 1932 FOURTH. NCS 14 POINTS. STATE 12 P0INTS |
| 1933 THIRD. NCS 18 POINTS |
| 1940 THIRD. BUT LOST NO DUAL MEETS. NCS 3 POINTS |
| 1941 THIRD. NCS 1.5 PINTS FOR TWELFTH PLACE |
| 1942 SECOND. NCS 4 POINTS FOR TENTH PLACE |
| 1947 CO-CHAMPIONS WITH PACIFIC GROVE. NCS 32 POINTS AND STATE |
| 1949 SEVENTH. NCS ONE POINT |
| 1950 SEVENTH. NCS 3 POINTS AND STATE |
| 1951 FOURTH. NCES 10 POINTS AND STATE |
| 1952 FIFTH. NCS 10POINTS ANS STATE |
| 1958 SIXTH. NCS |
| 1962 FIFTH. NCS 4 POINTS |
| 1966 FIFTH. CCS DIVISION III FOURTH. STATE |
| 1967 THIRD CCS DIVISION III 10 [POINTS. STATE. WON DADS RELAYS |
| 1968 FIFTH. CCS REGION III SECOND PLACE. STATE. Over the last five seasons the team has broken all but three school records. This year three track men have received college scholarships. |
| 1969 FOURTH. CCS SECOND PLACE |
| 1970 SEVENTH. CCS 5 POINTS |
| 1977 THIRD. CCS |
| 1978 FOURTH. CCS |
| 1980 FIFTH. TWO RUNNERS TO CCS |
| 1986 KURT HODGES WENT TO STATE |
| 1988 THIRD. CCS REGION IV TO CCS FINALS |
| 1989 THIRD. CCS REGION IV TO CCS FINALS |
| 1990 SECOND. CCS REGION IV. CCS THIRD. DUAL MEETS 6-1 |
| 1991 SECOND. CCS REGION IV FIFTH. DUAL MEETS 6-1 |
| 1992 SECOND. CCS ? . LEAGUE DUAL 5-1 |
| 1993 CCS SOUTH TRIALS AND CCS FINALS. LEAGUE DUAL 6-0 |
| 1994 CCS? LEAGUE DUAL 6-0 |
| 2010 CCS and STATE |
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1974 FIRST YEAR OF GIRLS ONLY TRACK. IN PRIOR YEARS GIRLS HAVE COMPETED WITH THE BOYS . |
| 1977 FOURTH. CCS ? |
| 1978 THIRD. CCS ? |
| 1981 SECOND. CCS? |
| 1987 THIRD. CCS REGION IV NINTH |
| 1988 FOURTH. CCS REGION IV CHAMPIONS |
| 1989 CCS REGION IV ? |
| 1990 THIRD. CCS REGION IV CHAMPIONS, TWO OUT OF LAST THREE YEARS. DUAL 7-0 |
| 1991 SECOND. CCS REGION IV THIRD. DUAL 7-1 |
| 1993 THIRD. CCS ? |
| 1994 SECOND. DUAL RECORD 6-0. CCS ? |
| 2010 CCS |
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
NONE
VOLLEYBALL GIRLS
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1991 TIE SECOND. CCS LOST FIRST GAME |
| 1994 FOURTH. CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS 1-1 |
| 1995 TIED THIRD. CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS 1-1. Won own Invitational Tournament |
| 1996 FOURTH. CCS DIVISION III, LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1997 ? CCS DIVISION III, LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1998 TIED SECOND. CCS DIVISION III, LOST IN FIRST ROUND. School record for matches won. Ranked fourth in Monterey Bay Area |
| 1999 7-7 middle of league. CCS DIVISION III, LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 2000 Tied for fourth. Won Santa Paula Tournament |
| 2002 CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS |
| 2004 ? CCS DIVISION III SEMIFINALS |
| 2006 THIRD. CCS DIVISION III, LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
WATER POLO BOYS
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1990 THREE WAY TIE FOR SECOND. CCS DIVISION II, LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1993 SECOND. CCS DIVISION II, LOST IN FIRST ROUND |
| 1999 SECOND. CCS DIVISION II SEMIFINALS. WON OWN INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT AND WATSONVILLE’S |
| 2000 SECOND. CCS DIVISION II, LOST IN FIRST ROUND. SEEDED FIFTH. WON INDEPENDENCE OF SAN JOSE TOURNAMENT |
| 2005 ? MADE CCS |
| 2006 LOST ONLY TWO GAMES |
WATER POLO GIRLS
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
In 1995 the girls played a short schedule as a club sport. Some girls have been playing on the boys team 1996 was the last year as club sport
| 1997 CCS 1-1 SEMIFINALS |
| 1999 SECOND. CCS AS TWELFTH SEED. |
| 2001 SECOND. CCS PLACED TWELFTH. CLOVIS MEET WAS EIGHTH OF 32 TEAMS. WON THEIR DIVISION OF WILLOW GLEN SCRAMBLE |
| 2006 Beat Soquel for the first time. Second year in a row was tops in CCS water polo with a GPA of 3.84 |
| 2007 CCS ? |
| 2008 CCS ? BEST TEAM EVER |
WRESTLING
Every year listed without with out showing the league standings, means it was a championship year.
| 1953 NCS SECOND |
| 1957 ? NCS 7 POINTS |
| 1958 ? NCS SEVENTH |
| 1959 ? NCS 8 POINTS |
| 1960 THIRD. PLACED AT CCS AND NORTHERN CAL INVITATIONAL |
| 1962 TWO WRESTLERS MADE IT TO THE NORTHERN CAL INVITATIONAL |
| 1965 THIRD. NCS 4 POINTS |
| 1981 CCS REGION IV QUALIFIERS |
| 1982 New section division: CCS SOUTHERN DIVISION. SC WRESTLER TO STATE |
| 1989 TWO WRESTLERS WENT TO STATE |
| 1996 ? FOUR WRESTLERS TO CCS FINALS |
| 1997 FIFTH. THREE WRESTLERS TO CCS AND STAT |
| 2006 ? WRESTLER TO STATE |
| 2007 SEVEN TO CCS |
| 2009 UNDEFEATED IN DUAL MEETS |
SANTA CRUZ RECORDS FOR FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, TRACK AND TENNIS WHICH COVERS THE CCAL AND MBL LEAGUES FROM 1916 TO 1976
(Doc: BOYS – Season records 1916-76)
There is a limit in how many teams can be shown on this chart. Through the forties the teams listed below covered most of the teams at SC. The chart is a good way to see how SC did each year. For example in 1918, SC won all three sports played at the time. In 1928 four sports were champions and the fifth was second. After the forties more teams were added. The girls started competitive sports in the seventies. All of this would not fit on a chart. Each sport has its own individual record on the web site.
Abbreviations: und-undefeated league season; slash marks- co or tri championships; FB-football; BB-basketball. First number listed is the league record, second number is season record. NC is for Northern Coast section playoffs. CCS for Central Coast section play offs. (2) means 2nd in league. C = championship when ran out of room otherwise will be CH
NCS- North Coast Section (was the local Section plus others, before CCS); CCS-playoffs for schools from Monterey county to including San Mateo county. One hundred and five schools and counting);(2 means 2nd place in the league; NC-from Bakersfield to the Oregon boarder; BEST-considered the best team in its era; TOC-tournament of champions; CAMELLIA-tournament of champions in Sacramento; DAD-Dads Club basketball tournament; M-Monterey baseball tournament; S-Salinas baseball tournament; D3-division three; QT-quarter finals of tournament. League records are listed first. Season total listed last. Some years could not find both records.
| YEAR | FB | BB | BASEBALL | TRACK | TENNIS | GOLF |
| 1916 | 3-2 | CH | CH | |||
| 1917 | 5-0 | CH | CH CH | |||
| 1918 | 5-1 CH 8-2 NC FINALS | CH | CH | |||
| 1919 | 3-2 | CH | CH | |||
| 1920 | 8-0 CH NC CH | 2ND | ||||
| 1921 | 2-2 | 5-1 2ND 6-2 | 5-1 CH | 3RD | ||
| 1922 | 3-1 2ND 5-2 | 4-2 CH | 2ND | CH | ||
| 1923 | 4-2 2ND | 2-3 4-4 | CH 4TH CIF | CH C | ||
| 1924 | 2-1-2 | 3-4 | 5-0CH 10-2 NC | CH 4THNC | CH | |
| 1925 | 1-6 | L 2-4 T 6-4 | 5-0 CH | 2ND | CH | |
| 1926 | 1-3 4-3 | 2ND 6-6 | 2ND | CH | ||
| 1927 | 2ND3-1-1 3-3-2 | 3-1 CH | 2ND 3-5 | CH | CH | |
| 1928 | CH | 2ND 5-1 | CH TO NCS | CH | CH | |
| 1929 | 4-2 2ND | 5-1 CH | 2-3 | CH | ||
| 1930 | 4-2 | last | 2-2-1 | CH | ||
| 1931 | 2-2-1 2ND | 3-1 2nd | 3-1 2ND | CH | ||
| 1932 | 4-2 2ND | 5-2 3rd | 4TH | |||
| 1933 | 2-3 | 8-2 CH | 4-0 CH | 3RD | ||
| 1934 | 1-2-1 | 2-4 6–5 | 1-3 | CH | ||
| 1935 | 2-2 | 5-1CH | 5-1CH 8-1 | CH | ||
| 1936 | LAST | 2ND | CH | CH | ||
| 1937 | LAST | 2ND | CH | 4TH | CH | |
| 1938 | 3-1-1 2nd | 7-3 2nd | 4-1-1 CH | CH | ||
| 1939 | 3-1-1 2nd | 12-0 CH BEST EVER | 5-2 CH 6-2 | 2nd | CH | |
| 1940 | 0-6-1 | 12-0 CH15-2 | 5-2 2nd 6-2 | |||
| 1941 | 3-1 2ND | 7-3 3RD | 3-6 | TRI-CH | CH | |
| 1942 | 1-3 1-5 | 5-1 CH 7-1 | CH | CH | ||
| 1943 | NO LEAGUE | CITY LEAG | ||||
| 1944 | 3-0 CH 5-0 UND
BEST EVER |
2-2-1 | 3RD | |||
| 1945 | 3-2-3 2ND | 2ND | 5-0 CH | 4TH | ||
| 1946 | 3RD | 1-6 | LAST | CH | ||
| CH(1952) |
| YEAR | FOOTBALL | BASKETBALLL | BASEBALL | TRACK |
| 1947 | 1-5 LAST | 3-4-1 | 2-4 4TH | |
| 1948 | 2-2 3RD 4-2 | 5-3 2ND | 2-4 4TH | |
| 1949 | 4-3 | 4-4 2ND 11-10 | 8-12 | |
| 1950 | 4-3-1 2ND | 1-7 | 3RD | 7TH |
| 1951 | 2-4 3RD | 0-6 6TH 6-11 | 4-2 CH 12-3 | 4TH |
| 1952 | 4-1-1 2ND | 1-5 4TH 11-8 | 3-3 3RD 4-8 | 9-3 |
| 1953 | 2-4 3RD 3-5 | 5-1 CH 17-6 BEST | 1-5 LAST 5-7 | 9TH |
| 1954 | 4-2 2ND 4-4 | 2-4 3RD 12-11 | 3-3 2ND 5-6 | 7TH |
| 1955 | 1-5 LAST 1-8 | 0-6 LAST 4-14 | 1-5 LAST 2-14 | 5TH |
| 1956 | 0-6 LAST 0-8 | 2-4 3RD 4-15 | 0-6 LAST 4-15 | LAST |
| 1957 | 4-1-1 CH 4-4-1 | 4-2 2ND 16-8 | 3-3 3RD 16-9 | 8TH |
| 1958 | 4-2 2ND 7-2 | 7-2 2ND 17-9 | 4-5 3RD 11-10 | 6TH |
| 1959 | 6-0 CH 9-0 BEST | 8-2 CH 15-6 TOC | 7-3 2ND 16-8 | 7TH |
| 1960 | 3-1 2ND 5-4 | 9-3 3RD 13-7 | 10-2 CH
20-3 M |
5TH |
| 1961 | 2-2 2ND 3-6 | 3-5 4TH 11-10 DADS | 12-0 CH 20-2-1 | 6TH |
| 1962 | 3-1 2ND 6-3 | 6-2 2ND 11-8 | 9-3 CH 19-5 M | LAST |
| FOOTBALL | BASKETBALL | BASEBALL | TRACK | |
| 1963 | 4-0-1 CH 7-0-1 | 7-3 3RD 12-9 | 13-2 CH 21-4 TOC | LAST |
| 1964 | 0-4-1 0-8-1 | 9-3 2ND 16-8 | 8-4 2ND 16-8 | 5TH |
| 1965 | 0-5 LAST 0-9 | 9-3 CH 17-9 | 7-5 3RD 13-12 | 3RD |
| 1966 | 1-3-2 5TH 3-4-2 | 8-6 3RD 11-10 | 6-3 3RD 13-9 | 5TH CCS D3 4TH |
| 1967 | 2-56TH 2-7 | 12-2CH DADS 19-6 CAMELLA (8 | 6-1 CH RAIN 19-7 CCS 3RD | 3RD |
| 1968 | 7-0 CH 9-0 | 13-1CH DAD 22-2 CCS(2 | 11-2-1 CH 17-10 CCS(2 | 5TH |
| 1969 | 5-1-1 2ND 6-2-1 | 12-0 CH 28-2 CCS(2) (2)2ND | 13-3 CH SAL 1ST CCS(2) | 3RD |
| 1970 | 4-5 3RD 5-5 | 3-15 LAST 6-20 | 17-1 CH 28-3 CCS(3 (3) | |
| 1971 | 0-9 0-10 | 5-13 5TH 9-14 | 14-3 CH 19-9 CCS QT | |
| 1972 | 0-8 10-0 | 11-7 3RD 13-8 | 15-3 CH 21-7 CCS | 7TH |
| 1973 | 3-4 3RD 4-4 | 11-4 3RD 19-6 DADS | 9-6 2ND 12-12 | |
| 1974 | ||||
| 1975 | 2-6 LAST 2-7 | 1-12 1-23 | 11-4 WON MBL 18-10 NORTH | |
| 1976 | 0-8 0-9 | 4-7 6-14 | 11-6 CH 21-11CCS (2 |
NOTE: Tennis won in 1955, 1958, 1975. 1976 and won 19 out of 21 seasons starting in 1975.
BOY BASKETBALL DIVISON III STATE CHAMPIONS 2004-05 BOYS VARSITY
(Doc: Article – boys bb state champ 2004-05)
BASKETBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS, CCS CHAMPIONS,
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONS AND STATE CHAMPIONS OF DIVISION III.
SC defeated the CCS division I champion Serra and division II champion Palo Alto during the regular season. These two teams were also in the Northern Cal finals in their divisions.
Game Scores, League Record and Overall Record
Practice games: St. Joseph Notre Dame of Alameda 67-54. SLO tournament: Garces of Bakersfield 71-50, SLO 57-51, Santa Margarita 52-53 for second place. Dads Club: Harbor 47-17, Paso Robles 80-64, St. Francis of Mt. View 49-36. Champions. Palma tournament: Seaside 72-46; North Salinas 81-68, Palma 59-49. Champions. St. Ignatius 72-40, Serra 63-46. St. Francis of Mt. View tournament: SLO 67-42, University of Irvine 71-49, Palo Alto 70-58. Champions. Special one day Martin Luther King event between the best teams in the area, SC beat Bishop O’Dowd 63-57 at St. Mary’s College. Practice record 15-1.
League: Harbor 56-38, 59-29; Aptos 73-54, 72-56; Watsonville 78-31, 64-21; Soquel 62-38, 75-22; Scotts Valley 91-48, 75-30; SLV 57-40, 77-46. League record 12-0 for championship. League playoffs: Scotts Valley 75-39, Aptos 75-46. CCS playoffs; El Camino of South San Francisco 88-46, St. Ignatius 45-33, Burlingame 56-42. Champions. Northern California tournament: St. Mary’s of Stockton 75-40 at Cabrillo College, Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland at Santa Clara University 52-39. Compolinda of Moraga at Arco Arena in Sacramento for the Northern California Championship. State Championship at Arco Arena against St. Augustine of San Diego 67-56 for the State Championship. Overall record 36-1.
Information from an eight page Sentinel Commemorative Section March 23, 2005.
Junior Achievement In Santa Cruz. By Tom Moore, new sports editor for the Sentinel.
Junior Russell and Pete Newell Jr. That’s what I’ll remember. Every game I attended, people tried to describe Russell’s 5-6 breath taking style. Newell went so far as to compare him to Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird and Albert Einstein all in one sentence, I think.
I’ve seen some basketball, played some, but I have never seen a player control the space between the circles the way Russell did. He made people do things. He saw into the future on the floor, saw what was unfolding and changed it to his advantage before anyone else knew what he’d done. Junior can just play.
People told me Newell was eccentric and I wrote that early in the season.What the #$@* do you mean, writing that I’m eccentric,Newell yelled at me the next day. “People say that about you,” I said, not exactly sure if he was mad, serious or joking, as is usually the case with Newell. “Maybe because I don’t wear socks,” Newell said. Uh-huh.
I saw him berate players with a fury. I puzzled over substitutions. I saw him teach on the court. I never doubted he had a purpose and I think he saw a big picture. I almost believe he orchestrated 30 years to build to a moment in the third quarter of the state championship game, trailing by eight points, in order to have one stretch of near perfect, feel good, Russell powered, team oriented community galvanizing basketball. I’m glad I got here in time to see it. Enjoy the Sentinel’s look back at the season.
CALIFORNIA’S FINEST
DIVISION III STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, SANTA CRUZ 67, ST. AUGUSTINE 56
Cardinals Overcome Foul Trouble, Injury And 8 Point Deficit To Win
It was a game of ups and downs that ended on the ultimate high for SC boys basketball team and it ended, fittingly with the ball in the hands of senior point guard Junior Russell.
Russell scored a game high 27 points despite playing on a tender ankle and injuring his left knee late in the first quarter. The Cardinals beat previously undefeated St. Augustine of San Diego 67-56 in the Division III State championship game Saturday, March 19 at Arco Arena home of the Sacramento NBL team.
Russell dribbled out the final seconds and then triumphantly threw the ball high overhead, setting off a celebration on the arena floor that ended with a Santa Cruz dog pile at center court.
“It’s been a goal of mine since the eighth grade, to win the state championship,” Russell said, who scored 11 points in a decisive 20-2 run by the Cardinals (36-1) that started with them trailing the Saints 49-41 and ended with Santa Cruz up 61-51 with 2:35 to play in the game.
The win capped a remarkable 30th and final season for coach Pete Newell, Jr., who goes out having won his first Central Coast Section title, earning his first wins in the Northern California regional playoffs, and claiming the first-ever boys basketball state championship for a Santa Cruz County team.
As always, Newell gave all the credit to his players. “These kids set as a goal the state championship” Newell said. “I don’t think I in my heart believed that, (but) they had this tremendous belief in themselves and each other. As a great an achievement as it was to win the state, to win it with this group of young men makes it even more special.”
Russell missed his entire sophomore season with a knee injury, then played last year with a torn ACL, but Newell knew having him on the floor this season gave his team a chance to do special things. At the start of the season Newell told his team, “The keys are in Junior’s hands and he’s going to drive it as far as he wants to go.” I have a lot of confidence in his abilities. I know he has a burning desire to compete at the highest level.”
The Cardinals jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead, but momentum appeared to shift when Russell hobbled off the court after missing a shot and landing awkwardly with 2:36 left in the first period. He didn’t stay out for long, though, returning just 15 seconds later.
:For Junior to score 27 points in the championship game on a knee that was very painful for him is tremendous,” Newell said. “There was no way other than amputation that Junior was going to go out of the game.”
The Saints didn’t go away either, and after trailing throughout the first half, they took their first lead at 35-34 early in the third quarter on an Andre Hardy jumper.
At that point the fouls started stockpiling against the Cardinals, and the foul total reached 10-1in favor of St. Augustine when Cliff Sammet picked up his third with 2:29 remaining in the third. Along the way, junior center Chris Sharp fouled out and senior guard Swift pick up his fourth, sending him to the bench for the final 4:37 of the period.
“I felt we were getting cheated a little bit,” Swift said. “I was a little bit heated. Coach talked to me and told me to calm down, come back in the game and try to do what I can the help win a state championship.”
Swift scored six of his seven points in the fourth quarter when the Cardinals changed their offense to feature him at the high post. But the biggest play of the game came at the end of the third quarter.
Battling back from the 49-41 deficit, the Cardinals went in to the final period down just three, 49-46, when Russell buried a 3-pointer as the quarter buzzer sounded after Sammet came up with a steal and passed ahead to him.
“That came off a great play by Cliff,” Newell said. “It was a huge momentum lift for us to go into the fourth quarter, Junior making that shot”. From there, it was all Santa Cruz.
Michael Norteye gave the Cardinals the lead back at 50-49 when he snuck in a basket down low between a pair of taller defenders. Swift followed with a pair of baskets sandwiched between a Jesse LoBue jumper on the right wing. Russell capped the 20-2 outburst with a layup on a 2-on-1 break after another steal by Sammet.
LoBue finished with 15 points and five rebounds, and Sammet added nine points and game highs of 13 rebounds and six blocked shots. Sophomore guard Robert Hayes led the Saints with 20 points in a thrilling match-up with Russell, and senior forward Hardy added 19 points and 10 boards.
“Him and our guy really went at it,” Saints coach Mike Haupt said of Russell and Hayes. “That kid (Russell) looks like a man.”
He sure played like one Saturday.
POST SEASON AT A GLANCE
SCCAL TOURNAMENT
The Cardinals cruised through the SCCAL unbeaten 12-0 for the second straight season, then prepped for their CCS Division II playoff run with two easy wins in the SCCAL post-season tournament.
SC ran past Aptos 75-46 in the SCCAL championship game, getting a game high 23 points from senior forward Cliff Sammet and 18 from senior point guard Junior Russell at Cabrillo College
The Cardinals played both SCCAL tournament games without versatile senior guard Austin Swift, out for precautionary reasons after suffering a concussion when his parked car was struck by another vehicle, but Swift said he’d be ready for the CCS playoffs.
As for the Cardinals’ state of mind heading into CCS play, where they’d lost in the semifinals the past four seasons and seven of the last nine, Sammet foreshadowed what was to come.
“I don’t really care about our history,” he said. “We just need to come out with confidence and play hard for four quarters. If we do that, we’ll be on our way.”
CCS FIRST ROUND
SC 86, El Camino-South San Francisco 46.
Top seeded SC jumped out to a 28-8 first-quarter lead and was never threatened by El Camino at Piedmont Hills High in San Jose.
Russell led 12 different Santa Cruz scorers with 21 points, Sammet added 13 and Swift returned to the lineup to score 11.
“We know we weren’t going to beat them on athleticism,” said El Camino forward Jeff Ramirez. “That’s the best team I’ve seen all season.”
He wasn’t the first, nor would he be the last, opponent to say so.
The attention immediately turned to getting past the CCS semifinal “jinx”, something Newell said had “taken on a life of its own.”
CCS SEMIFINALS
SC 45, St. Ignatius of San Francisco 33
The Cards did indeed get over their CCS semifinal hurdle, but not without some anxious moments, at least in the first half.
St. Ignatius, Newell’s alma mater, took the shot clock down under 10 seconds whenever possible before taking a shot in order to slow the pace of the game, and the tactic worked well in the first two quarters. Santa Cruz trailed 12-8 after one quarter and went into halftime up just one at 15-14.
But Russell came out and buried two big baskets to start the third, a jumper from the left wing and a 3-pointer, and the Cardinals were on their way to the CCS championship game for the first time since 1988. Santa Cruz outscored St. Ignatius 16-5 in the quarter. Russell finished with a game-high 18 points at Piedmont Hills.
“Junior’s two baskets there were HUGE with four capital letters,” Newell said. “The biggest thing was to let go of the frustration and take care of the ball better.”
Newell was as vocal and animated during the game as he had been at any point in the season. “If this was going to be our last game, I didn’t want to go quietly into the night.”
CCS FINAL
SC 56, Burlingame 42
In a much anticipated rematch with Burlingame and star senior guard Drew Shiller, who upset the Cardinals in the 2004 CCS semifinals, the Cardinals took the drama out of the game from the outset with a dominating display defensively en route to their first-ever CCS title. They did so in front of an overflow crowd of 2,100 at Foothill College. Thousands of fans were turned away at the door, but many stayed and watched the game through the open doorways, even breaking into “S.C.” chants on occasion.
Santa Cruz limited Shiller to just two first-half points and led 25-7 at intermission after forcing the Panthers into 11 turnovers and a bevy of difficult shots.
“That was as good as it gets,” said Newell of the defense in the first half. “They couldn’t get an open look. We contested every dribble and almost every shot.”
Afterward, several Cardinals expressed gratitude in giving Newell and Santa Cru High the school’s first CCS boys basketball title.
“I wanted to win this for Coach Newell especially and all the players before me, guys like my brother (Ian),” said Swift, who scored a team-high 16 points. “We wanted to do it for all the guys that never got to feel what it’s like to win a section championship.”
NORCAL FIRST ROUND
SC 75, St. Mary’ of Stockton 40
Playing before another standing room only crowd, this time at Cabrillo College, the top-seeded Cardinals played the part by overwhelming St. Mary’s in their Northern California Regional opening-round game.
The Cardinals trailed through most of the first quarter but buried the Rams with a 41-14 advantage over the next two periods.
The Russell-Swift backcourt was brilliant, combining for 39 points, 17 assists and 12 steals.
St. Mary’s coach Ken Green walked away an another big fan of the Big Red Machine.
“They’re the best team in the state in Division III,” Green said. “There’s no way we could simulate what they do in practice. They bring height, athleticism and they have great coaching.”
Gaining more and more confidence in the starting lineup after beginning the season as reserve, junior forward Jesse LoBue continued his late-season scoring trend with 10 points.
NORCAL SEMIFINALS
SC 52, Bishop-O’Dowd of Oakland
This game was a rematch of January 17 meeting at Saint Mary’s College that the Cards won 63-57, one of only five games SC played all season decided by fewer than 10 points.
Playing before a heavily pro-Santa Cruz crowd at Santa Clara University, the Cardinals again took control of the game in the third quarter after leading by one, 26-25, at halftime.
Russell deflated the Dragons with three steals on three straight O’Dowd possessions, earning a standing ovation from the Cardinal faithful. He led four Cardinals in double figures with 19 points as Santa Cruz earned a much-anticipated trip to Sacramento’s Arco Arena for the NorCal championship game.
“We’ve talked about it (playing at Arco) since freshman year,” Sammet said. “It’s going to be an amazing atmosphere, an experience we’ll never forget.”
NORCAL FINAL
SC 46, Campolindo of Moraga 44
SC found itself in an unfamiliar position, trailing at halftime 25-23 against number three seeded Campolino, which upset number two seeded Sacramento in its semifinal game. The Cardinals appeared to deliver another third-quarter knockout blow with a 17-6 scoring edge.
But the upstart Cougars had other ideas. Led by senior point guard Chris Blackwood (game high 17 points), Campolindo whittled away at the lead until it stood at just two, then got the ball back with 22 seconds left and a chance to tie or take the lead with a 3-pointer.
The Cougars’ Pete Gierlach appeared to be open in the left corner baseline, but 6-foot-6
junior center Chris Sharp sprinted out to get a hand in Gierlach’s face, and his 3 landed well short and into the hands of Sammet.
Sharp scored the biggest basket of the game on a set play for him inside with 1:17 remaining, giving the Cardinals a four-point cushion at that point, 46-42.
“I was pretty surprised,” said Sharp, who scored six points, of getting his number called at such a critical point in the game. “That was the first time we had a set play for me in awhile.”
Russell led the Cardinals with 14 points but went just 5-for-18 from the floor in his first experience playing at Arco. He said afterward he was looking forward to another game there for the state championship the following Saturday.
“Next time, I’ll know how it feels to play hers,” he said. “I wasn’t nervous. I think maybe I was just too pumped up.”
Who could blame him? There was a lot to be excited about.
AROUND SANTA CRUZ
At press time, plans were being made for an awards banquet with public participation and discussions were under way regarding a city proclamation and a parade. Comcast cable KRUZ Channel 4 will televise replays of SC games through Sunday. Starting Friday with the Stat championship game; Saturday: Road to State: NorCal semifinals at 2pm; NorCal Championship at 5pm and State championship at 8 pm.
FINISHING IN STYLE
Newell Goes Out With A State Title
Happy Ending. Pete Newell Jr. goes out in style, guiding the team to the county’s first state title in his final game.
Pete Newell Jr. has always thought of himself as and underclassman. Until now.
“As a coach, I‘m always like a sophomore or a junior. I’ve always got next year. The seniors never do,” Newell said.
This year, Newell’s final of 30 seasons coaching the Santa Cruz boys basketball team, he has graduated.
When the Arco Arena crowd chanted, “We want Pete!” the Pistol reluctantly shared the spotlight with his state championship team, having coached his final game.
Newell has not kept track of his career record. He hasn’t celebrated round number wins. For the record, he finishes with a mark of 554 wins, 326 losses at Santa Cruz. Including a year at Salesian and a year at Serra in the early 1970’s, Newell’s career high school record is 590-342.
Since 1974, when he was hired here, he has become part of the Santa Cruz community.
Newell turned 61 years old this season. He’s not a conventional coach and the unconventional city of Santa Cruz seems to have suited him. He entered high school basketball coaching, leaving an assistant’s job at the University of the Pacific after losing two recruits and feeling he was more interested in teaching, getting away from the pressures of win-at-all-costs.
He had advice from his father, Pete Newell St., the Hall of Fame coach at Cal. And for reasons consistent with the original decision, he’s going to go a different direction next year.
“It’s been increasingly more difficult to teach the morning after games,” Newell said. “You have to have energy and have to have the proper rest. I made the decision before last season. I had a feeling this would be a special year. I didn’t know it would be this special.
“When I was in my late 40s, I said that when I was in my 50s, I’d be coaching girls.”
And he has. He coaches the seventh and eighth grade girls at Holy Cross. He says if his players at Santa Cruz High feel like he was more patient with them this year (they do), they have the Holy Cross girls to thank.
He says there’s no ego involved in coaching the girls, that there’s more teaching, more learning. He remembers his father telling him that John Wooden got better every year he coached.
“I heard him say that when I was in my 40s and that stuck with me,” Newell said. “Part of reaching that plateau is being a better teacher.”
Newell rarely wears socks. The gray Yoda-like beard is something of a signature. He does not like airplanes. He has had a sandwich named after him. He can bewilder his players, scare them, manipulate them, teach them.
“I think he uses psychology,” said senior Cliff Sammet. “Around here, the guy is kind of a legend,” said senior Eric Van Vliet. “He’s a good guy.”
Then Van Vliet remembers the times the entire team was kicked out of practice. “Sometimes he’ll be really lenient, then one day you’ll be talking at the wrong times and he’ll be–boom–practice is over.” He kicked them out of the gym at the first practice of the season this year when several players were late.
Newell always has the team’s attention when he speaks. “It’s a fine line for a coach to properly pace a team through a season,” Newell Jr. said. “Regardless of level, gender or ability, the one opponent every coach has to guard against is staleness.”
He can remember the games like they were yesterday. Ask about a certain Central Coast Section playoff game, and he’ll still remember a referee’s whistle, the time on the clock, the substitutions, the plays he called, and then he’ll break into play-by-play. He’ll point to the court, start drawing it out, like basketball coaches do.
Throughout the state championship season, former players and students have sought out Newell. From far and wide, they were drawn to the team, looking for a chance to watch them play, wish them luck, thank the coach. Johnny Johnson, who went on to play basketball and football at San Jose State and then spent several years in the NFL, drove from Phoenix to see the league tournament and talked to the team in the locker room.
Kam Watson, a four-year starter, former student body president and SCCAL player of the year, visited from Guatemala for the league championship win over Aptos. Newell can rattle off a long list of players, standouts. It’s no accident that the two other Santa Cruz County teams the two best girls team in the league this year, the Soquel and Santa Cruz girls, are coached by Newell’s former players, John Wilson and Pat Jones.
He says he tries to keep up with former players. “Not every kid, but I know what’s up with a lot of them,” Newell said.
He married once, in the 1970s, and didn’t have children, but his family is a big part of his life. He talks to his dad three times a week, sends him game tapes, talks basketball, and life.
Newell Sr., now 88, was getting help from his son during his coaching career at Cal. Pete Jr. attended every Friday and Saturday home game. “After games, we’d come home. I’d ask him, ‘What did you think?’ He would have a wonderful analysis of the game,” Newell Sr. said.
Junior would write notes, summaries of the games for his dad in extensive detail. He dad is also proud of Pete Jr.’s generosity to the community, and to his family. He has given away cars to his brothers.
“He’s been a big help to me since we lost my wife,” Newell St. said. “I don’t think anyone I know is happier with what they do than Pete.
“He has so many good friends in Santa Cruz. The school has been great. It’s been a wonderful career he’s had. Santa Cruz has been good for Pete. I think he’s been very grateful for the support he’s had. It’s been a real good marriage for the two of them. I know I’m real proud of him. I always have been..”
Newell overcame a jinx with his final team. The Cardinals had never advanced out of the CCS tournament, losing in heartbreaking semifinal games seven of the past nine seasons. Newell Sr. said his son was due as the team approached the playoffs this year.
“We talked about it. His point is that it would be so good for these kids. He’s come close. I don’t think he’s that bothered by it, but down deep, for all the work you’ve done, you like to be rewarded for all the work,” he said.
“I know talking with him so much over the year, this team, to win a championship would give a lot of former players, and players today, a real thrill. He’s very conscious of that. If they lost, it wouldn’t be something that he’d take personally. That isn’t the main reason that he wants to win, it’s to reward the players and the players before them. Me or I? He doesn’t come from that direction.”
Newell Jr. didn’t exactly know what to expect when he arrived in Santa Cruz in 1974. It took him until 1985 to win his first league title, then the program began to roll. This year’s team, ranked nationally by some publications, is the first ever from the county to win a state title. USA Today called the championship showdown against previously unbeaten St. Augustine its Game of the Week in the nation.
Three players earned Division I basketball scholarships (Sammet to Santa Clara, Van Vliet to Fresno State, Austin Swift to Montana), and another, MVP point guard Junior Russell, is likely to play at that level.
Swift said that all the players on the team (Newell always carries a huge roster) were called “goofy” growing up. They fit together in Santa Cruz, for Newell.
“Our community in Santa Cruz engenders healthy relationships,” Newell Jr. said. “You can’t beat the beauty of nature Santa Cruz has to offer, then or now. What I didn’t realize was what a great school Santa Cruz was. You can come to Santa Cruz High and be whoever you want to be.”
Newell has cried with players after heartbreaking losses in years past. And he has appreciated the power in the locker room–how much players have cared.
“It’s such a unique and tender moment for any high school athlete who competes in the last game and ends with a loss,” Newell said, seeming to relive the scene. He pauses. “And the next morning at 8 a.m., there are 40 kids wanting to be taught.”
Few teams end the season with a victory. Few coaches wrap up a career with a state championship. And at the end, Newell preferred to let the players enjoy the moment.
“It’s about them,” Newell said. “I’m 61 years old and I’m not sure how long I have on this earth. They have 60 years ahead of them to remember and enjoy it.”
NEWELLS RECORD AT SANTA CRUZ
| 1975 | 1-14 | LAST | 1-23 | |
| 1976 | 4-11 | THIRD | 6-18 | (3-7 in North Division) |
| 1977 | 5-5 | THIRD | 10-14 | |
| 1978 | 7-8 | THIRD | 8-15 | |
| 1979 | 4-6 | FOURTH | 11-13 | WON DADS CLUB |
| 1980 | 5-5 | ? | 10-14 | League playoffs 2-1. CCS 0-1 |
| 1981 | 2-8 | Tied for Last | 9-14 | |
| 1982 | 9-3 | Tied second | 16-11 | |
| 1983 | 8-4 | Third | 16-11 | |
| 1984 | 6-8 | ? | 10-16 | |
| 1985 | 11-3 | CO-CH/A | 15-03 | CCS 0-1 |
| 1986 | 10-4 | Second | 22-7 | CCS Div II South 1-1 |
| 1987 | 11-4 | Third | 16-12 | |
| 1988 | 13-1 | Champs | 27-8 | CCS 3-1, second in CCS Div III, Nor Cal 0-1 |
| 1989 | 10-2 | Champs | 17-15 | CCS Division 2-1, semifinals |
| 1990 | 12-0 | Champs | 21-9 | League playoffs 2-0. CCS Division III 1-1 |
| 1991 | 7-5 | Third | 13-17 | CCS Division III 0-1 |
| 1992 | 10-2 | Second | 24-7 | League playoffs 2-0. CCS Division III 0-1 |
| 1993 | 10-4 | tied Second | 19-13 | CCS Division III 1-1 |
| 1994 | 10-2 | Champs | 21-10 | League playoffs 2-0. CCS Division III 1-1 |
| 1995 | 8-4 | Second | 19-12 | Beat round robin Harbor twice in the league playoffs to be co-champions. CCS Div. III 1-1. |
| 1996 | 11-1 | Champs | 24-7 | CCS Div. III 2-1 to semifinals. Won Dad Tournament |
| 1997 | 11-1 | CO-CH/SLV | 23-10 | SLV beat SC in the league playoffs for a |
| Co-Championship. CCS Div. 2-1, finals | ||||
| 1998 | 5-7 | tie Fourth | 13-17 | CCS Div. III 0-1 |
| 1999 | 12-0 | Champs | 32-1 | CCS Division III 2-1 in semifinals. Were 30-0 |
| going into the final game. | ||||
| 2000 | 9-3 | C0-CH/A | 26-6 | Second in round robin, but won playoffs to be Co-champs with Aptos. CCS III 1-1 semifinals |
| 2001 | 12-0 | Champs | 30-4 | CCS Division III 2-1 semifinals, seeded fourth |
| 2002 | 10-2 Tri-Ch MVC, SOQ | 23-9 | CCS Division IV 2-1 semifinals | |
| 2003 | 7-5 | C0/CH/SOQ | 21-14 | CCS Division III 2-1 semifinals |
| 2004 | 12-0 | Champs | 30-3 | CCS Div. III 2-1 semi’s. Tourneys won: Dads Club, Palma |
| 2005 | 12-0 | Champs | 36-1 | CCS Div. III 3-0 Champs. NorCal 3-0 champs. State Championship. Three preseason tourneys won: Dads, Palma and St. Francis for first time |
BY THE NUMBERS
Santa Cruz Highs State basketball season by the numbers
ONE: Santa Cruz’s state ranking among California Division III teams by Cal-Hi Sports. Also, Junior Russell’s jersey number.
TWO: Day of the season when the Cardinals had their first practice. Coach Pete Newell Jr canceled the first practice when several players were late.
THREE: The number of Cardinals seniors with Division I basketball scholarships: Cliff Sammet (Santa Clara), Eric Van Vliet (Fresno State) and Austin Swift (Montana).
FIVE: The number of times a Santa Cruz game was decided by less than 10 points. One of those games was the Cardinals’ only loss, 53-52 in overtime against Santa Margarita. The only playoff game Santa Cruz didn’t win by double digits was its 46-44 nail-biter in the Northern California regional final against Campolindo.
SIX: The number of blocked shots by Sammet in the state title game against St. Augustine, including an exclamation-point swat out of bounds in the closing minute.
EIGHT; The biggest deficit Santa Cruz faced in the second half of a game all season (in the state title game). The Cardinals trailed 20-9 after the first quarter against St. Joseph’s of Alameda in their season opener but came back to win 67-54.
FOURTEEN: The number of outright or shared league titles for Santa Cruz over the past 18 seasons.
SEVENTEEN: The fewest points allowed in a game this season, in a league victory over Harbor.
NINETEEN: The number of players on this season’s team, including 11 seniors.
TWENTY-TWO: The decisive run that started with the Cardinals down 49-41 in the state championship game against St. Augustine and ended with Santa Cruz up 61-51. The Cardinals won 67-56
TWENTY-THREE. ZERO: The Cardinals’ average margin of victory this season. They won one game by 53, another by 47, one by 45 and two others by 43.
THIRTY: Seasons on the bench for outgoing coach Pete Newell Jr. In his first season, 1974, the top song in the country on the Billboard chart was “The Loco-Motion” by Grand Funk.
THIRTY-SIX: Season victories, the most by any team, boys or girls, in the state this season, most ever for a Central Coast Section team, according to Cal-Hi Sports.
NINETY-ONE: The most points in a game this season, in a league win against Watsonville. Thirteen different Cardinals scored in the game.
ONE-HUNDRED FOUR: Age of Harold Van Gorder, oldest living Cardinal, who played on the 1921 Santa Cruz team, talked to the team last season, and proclaimed the Thursday before the game that a state championship would be :the greatest thing that’s happened in Santa Cruz,” Wanna argue?
ONE HUNDRED FOURTY-NINE: Miles from Santa Cruz High to Arco Arena–the road to the state title.
TWO THOUSAND EIGTH HUNDRED AND NINE: Fans at Santa Clara for NorCal semifinal game at Santa Clara University against Bishop O’Dowd. Fans packed the gym at Cabrillo College for the SCCAL championship against Aptos and the Nor-Cal opener against St. Mary’s.
For the CCS championship, against Burlingame, a crowd of 2,100 packed Foothill College, and many more fans were turned away. They stood outside chanting for the Cardinals.
THE INSIDERS: PLAYERS PERSPECTIVES
On the eve of the state championship game, the Sentinel asked each player to write down what the season meant to him, favorite memories and lasting impressions. Here’s what they said.
JULIUS FREEMAN 5-8 senior guard.
This season has been a very special journey for us and all of Santa Cruz. My teammates and I have developed friendships that will last for the rest of our lives. I got their backs and they got mine. Hugs, hand slaps and high fives to everyone. Be safe. You know what I’m sayin’.
KEVIN GRELLMANN 6-2 senior forward.
Wow, the whole season –Well to start off, it’s been a dream come true for a senior. We have taken every challenge and overcome it. Practicing and spending time with all the guys is like working as a family and learning one another’s movements to become a smooth system. We have made Santa Cruz history and I will always remember this because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I hope the other guys will live wonderful lives after this and get to tell their grandchildren, who will tell their children and so on about the Santa Cruz High boys varsity basketball team becoming the first to win CCS and No-Cal and soon to be state, all in one year.
TRAVIS HAUSSLER 6-7 senior center.
As a primarily academically inclined person, basketball has always served as merely an outlet for energy. This season changed that. The amazing group of people we have on this team and the way we have worked together this season has made basketball an unbelievable
experience for me. It has opened my eye up to the keys to being a well-rounded, successful person now and later in life. I will never forget the feeling I experienced when the buzzer went off and we won the Northern California title. I will remember and cherish this season and all of the amazing things we have accomplished for the rest of my life.
STEVE HILL 6-5 senior forward/center
This season has been the end of a team that has developed since the seventh grade, and let’s just say we’ve come out with a BANG! It’s an amazing end to an amazing run.
KEVIN KONOPELSKI junior guard.
This season has been really hard for me. I’ve been hurt, shoulder surgery, for all but three games, the first three. So I’ve had to watch these guys have the time of their lives playing, but I have to sit on the bench. But this is something I’ll never forget. It is so hard because even though I would be Junior’s backup, I would still get some time on the court. I’m happy that I still have next year and we are going to hold it down.
JESSE LOBUE 6-6 junior forward.
This season has been the most special out of every season in basketball I have ever played in. I think it is so special because it is Pete Newell’s last year of coaching high school basketball and the great job of coaching he has done. I also think it is special because of all the players on the team, everyone cares for each other and there are no enemies (we all love each other). We also have a couple of special players who have carried the team and are very good. I feel lucky to be a part of this team and this great season we have had. I know one special memory that probably everyone will have the rest of their lives, when we got to the hotel Friday we were told we were going to the Kings game and not only that, but we got to ride in a bus limo. It was fun we put on the music then started (thizzen). Anyway I will always remember all the fun I had on this team and thank you Pete Newell, Jr. and all of my teammates.
SEAN LYNCH 5-8 junior guard
This season has been a lot of fun and it has created lifelong memories. Everybody on our team is very close and this is a major reason for our success. Even though I did not play very much, I learned a lot from Junior, Coach Newell and just watching from the sideline. This season was great and I look forward to having a great season next year. I love you coach Manabe!
MICHAEL NORTEYE 5-10 senior guard
This season has been more that I could have asked for. We came into this season with a goal of getting to where we are now and now that we are here, I’m blessed to be part of this group. I may not have as much talent, if any, as Austin, Junior, Cliff, Eric and even Jesse, but they don’t make me feel any less of a player because of it. This team has been my life, my family, and we will always have each others’ back no matter what happens on Saturday. For most of us, this is as far as it goes, because not all of us have D-1 scholarships to play at the next level, but anyway, whatever happens, I couldn’t be prouder to live in Santa Cruz and be a Cardinal. As for a lasting memory, the one thing that stands out in my mind the most out of all the great ones is winning the section title and meeting Junior at half court for a hug, knowing we had finally done it.
BILLY PEDERSON 6-1 senior forward
I had fun playing with all my friends. All my teammates are like family. We came together and did what it took to win. We hung out on and off the court, which allowed trust to build. This is the best team that I have ever been a part of. It’s been a great time in my life. I couldn’t have dreamt it any better. I will never forget this past year.
JAKE PINO junior forward/center
This season has been very special. Not only did I get to play with great players every day, but I got to be with some great people as well. However, next year is the year we get to lead the team. Next year, we get to utilize all we learned and I expect a winning season next year. Anything less is going to be a failure.
JUNIOR RUSSELL 5-6 senior guard
It’s been fun playing for Coach Newell and going to state with my boyz. God bless America and good night. Am out.
CLIFF SAMMET 6-8 senior forward
This season has meant a lot to me, as I get the opportunity to play with a great group of players, as well as a coach, on a successful team that has had an amazing run. My favorite memories had to be all the fun practices after school, as well as the CCS championship game. And hopefully a state title. I felt so happy for our team that has wanted it for so long. And the practices were always something to look forward to. I will never forget all these great guys who I have spent hours upon hours playing with, or even just hanging out with. I hope that we will all stay in touch after high school as I don’t want to lose contact with them. I also will never forget Coach Newell, as he has taught me many great lessons in life that will help me later. It has been an amazing eight years that I’ll never forget.
CHRIS SHARP 6-6 junior center
It’s been a lot of fun. It’s just been really great to be able to give Coach Newell this good of a season. It’s kind of like a thank you/farewell gift to him. I know he’ll never forget any of us and none of us will forget him.
GARY SMITH 6-3 junior forward
This season is one that is hard to put into words, and I’m simply lucky to be a part of it. It has been filled with memories that are unforgettable, and will last a lifetime. I was hurt for the majority of the season, but I worked hard to recover and my motivation was being able to play for such a great team. Being on the court in a packed gym full of screaming fans is like no other. We have some amazing players that created this opportunity of winning the state championship. Junior, Austin, Cliff and Sharp. We couldn’t have done it without them. I would also like to thank Coach Newell for teaching me so many things when I was actually able to play. I’ll never forget my junior year of Santa Cruz High basketball.
AUSTIN SWIFT 6-4 senior guard
This has been a very special season, not just in the sense of winning games, but the life-long relationships that have developed throughout the entire season. This is a very special group of talented teens who came together, became friends (and strengthened friendships) and made history.
ERIC VAN VLIET 6-10 senior center, who was injured before the season and did not play
No Comment. God bless and good night
TAYLOR VAUGHAN 6-1 junior forward
This season has been very exuberant. I will have indelible memories of all the players, which will last a lifetime. It is impossible for me to put this season into a few words because it means so much. My favorite memory would have to be when my hero, Christopher Rolland Sharp, hit the shot which gave us a lead in the NorCal finals with around a minute left. I was ecstatic. I would like to personally thank Coach for everything. This season would not have meant as much without him.
ERIC MANABE Assistant coach
These kids were so driven this year toward achieving their state title, that for me, it was a pleasure to be part of. I am so grateful to Coach Newell to allow me to be part of the Santa Cruz High basketball program. To come to our meetings, practices and games with the enthusiasm exhibited by the players made the entire year fun. Each and every player contributed to our success and this team would not have achieved their title if directed by anybody other than Coach Newell. His guidance allowed the team to play up to their capabilities and each player played to his potential.
My association with Coach Newell as an assistant coach as ended, however, we will still remain in contact in various forms – at camps, casual meetings and especially competing against one another with our junior high girls teams.
As the years go by, I will remember various plays and events of the year that will be a source of discussions. The crew at Jerry’s Donuts in Watsonville will certainly have some fun breaking down things we did and enjoy going over our year. I look forward to the years to come to reunite with this wonderful group of kids and wish them the best of luck in whatever they do.
SEASON STATISTICS
Information by player, games played, points per game, steal per game, rebounds per game and assist per game.
| PLAYER | G | PPG | SPG | RPG | APG |
| Junior Russell | 37 | 16.6 | 4.2 | 2.1 | 5.6 |
| Julius Freeman | 22 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 1 | 0.6 |
| Sean Lynch | 17 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Steve Hill | 9 | 1.8 | 0 | 1.2 | 0.1 |
| Jake Pino | 23 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.2 |
| Michael Norteye | 33 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.1 |
| Austin Swift | 35 | 12.3 | 2 | 5.2 | 2.3 |
| Billy Pederson | 34 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.7 |
| Cliff Sammet (2.1 blocked shots per game) | 36 | 13.8 | 1.2 | 8 | 1.4 |
| Taylor Vaughn | 14 | 1 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 0.6 |
| Travis Haussler | 28 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 0.3 |
| Jesse LoBue | 36 | 6.8 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 0.5 |
| Kevin Grellmann | 22 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.1 |
| Chris Sharp | 36 | 5.6 | 0.6 | 4.4 | 1 |
THE INSIDERS: PARENTS PERSPECTIVES:
Magical Season by Gary Grellmann, class of ‘66. It’s hard to imagine that this magical season is coming to closure. I am riding such a wave of high energy that I thought we would play again next week against another formidable opponent from another state. But all great things do come to an end sometime. I will always remember a sense of enthusiasm, excitement, endless amount of electricity and one of elation every time they played. I always looked forward to the next game and the obstacles these boys were up against. Each game always seemed to bring the best out of them; the greater the challenge, the better they played as a team.
This group of players had a sense at the beginning of the season that this might be a very special year. The talent, skill, size, speed, commitment and dedication were present. But as the season progressed, a strong camaraderie showed. Meeting after games and eating together at pizza places, restaurants, In and Out burgers, and a player/parent night in early January, really gave a strong sense of unity and identity to this team. They gained trust and respect for each other, which showed in their confidence level, with each game they played.
I sensed that they knew, that somewhere in a game, they were going to find the flaws in the armor of the other team. Whether it was a blitzing style of presses, defensive intensity, and offensive output or fast breaking pace of the game, they were confident in their team’s ability to come out on top.
They cheered for one another, listened to Coach Newell, responded and stayed focused for the entire season (five months and 37 games later). There was a ‘no quit’ in their attitude, regardless of the adversity. Just hanging in and finding a way to overcome the other team gave a sense of pride for every team member.
I can still remember their special cheer in the huddle before games: Junior yelling: “SC: and the rest of the team responding, “What!!!” (repeated several times). We as parents, loved it so much that we responded that cheer back to them at senior night.
This season seemed to go by very fast. I still remember watching the Dad’s Club Tourney in December and driving the team up to San Francisco for two very important games against St. Ignatius and Serra, followed by the tough St. Francis Tournament, where they beat Palo Alto. These five games set the tone for the rest of the season, and I knew at that point this team could go all the way. So here we are in March and our boys from SCHS are the California state champions for Division III, in a state with over 33 million people: quite an awesome feat to achieve!!!
I am personally grateful to Coach Newell for having my son, Kevin, on the Cardinal team for the last two years. He has learned so much from Coach Newell that it goes beyond words. Coach Newell is truly a wonderful teacher of the game, not just in the sense of basketball, but also in the game of life. Words and praise don’t do justice to what it has meant to my son and our family having Kevin on this special team, and with these special players. These guys have learned terms like accountability, punctuality, cohesion, responsibility, commitment, dedication, desire, work ethic, loyalty, confidence, trust and a respect for each other, the game, and their opponents. Pete has taught these boys more than the words I have mentioned. These intangibles are what these young men will take with them far into adulthood. Belonging to a group that promotes self-worth to everyone is truly a special gift.
I will always remember these good times with the players, their parents, and the tremendous fan support of Santa Cruz County as the team moved further and further into the playoffs. The fan support was just fantastic at the CCS final and I didn’t think it could get any better. I was amazed and moved at how many people really did follow the Cardinals to the state championship last week in Sacramento. It was just very inspirational to see Red and White throughout the whole arena. There must have been 4,000 or so supporters from Santa Cruz. Great Job SC!!!
Finally, I would like to really commend the Sentinel Sports department for doing such a great job of covering this great team. Thanks go to Bill Lovejoy, Steve Nelson and Tom Moore.
Thank you.
Community Comes Together For Team by Lis Bensley.
I’m writing to you before the game, after putting my son on the bus to Sacramento, while we’re still in the midst of this incredible story. Win or lose it will always be an amazing ride, probably one of the wildest any of us has or will ever be on.
My son, Jake Pino, has only been playing with these boys this year, so I do not have the history with the team that many other parents have going back to junior high. But we have experienced the amazing camaraderie of this group as a whole. They have been a united front since the beginning of the season, starter or not, senior or not, long-time friend or not. While there are stars, there are no star egos.
They play for each other just as much as they play for themselves. We, as parents, have witnessed a real team at work, all the way. That in itself has been quite the experience.
Making the dream happen, of course, has been the other big story. These boys have tremendous heart and will, above and beyond their talents. I think many of the parents felt they would have it in them to win CCS this year. They certainly had all the ingredients, not to mention the will to send Pete off with his first championship. But we know how games can be won or lost on psychological pressure alone. Burlingame was a real test of our boys’ resilience and determination. As I write this, I believe we will see it again at tomorrow’s big game. This is a magical group of boys.
In this divisive political time, it’s also a thrill to watch a town come together. Not only one town but the whole community as we saw at Foothill when so many from the Central Valley came to root for Santa Cruz and at all the ensuing games. Sure, sports can bring people together, and we could use this now, this success story, this harmony and pride in our community. It’s telling that Ryan Vaughan is making a documentary of this season because it is history in the making.
Heading into this game and mulling over our odds, it’s arguable going to be the most exciting game of the year. We are so evenly matched with St. Augustine and both teams want this win badly. But we do have something that they don’t have–we have Pete to win for. That and team moms with SC in bright letters painted on our toenails.
GO CARDINALS!
To Cherish Forever by Joyce Grellmann.
So many words come to mind to describe this basketball season for the team. Awesome, Amazing, Dream come true, Exciting, Rewarding, Intense, Thrilling, I could go on and on. However, as I reflect on the overall time, I can’t help but realize how they played so much like a TEAM. As a former coach in junior high, I’ve always said to my teams, that there are no I’s in team, and this team truly exemplified this the entire season.
From the beginning of the season, their goal was to win games by playing tenacious defense as individuals, by working as a unit, and by having a never-give-up offense. I could describe their offense as very unselfish, as the ball was given to whoever was in the best position to score.
They’ve also demonstrated qualities that coaches dream about: confidence, poise under pressure, desire and drive and a very important quality: humbleness. They never bragged about how good they were, but instead were very confident that if they played “their game” they could win.
Another thing that could have eaten away at this team was bitterness or jealousy from the players on the bench. This never happened. Each boy knew his role on the team and the practices were where they all benefited from Coach Newell’s knowledge and each other’s gifts and talents. Kudos to Coach Newell for keeping so many boys on the team and teaching them so much about preserving on the court and in life.
I have nothing but praise and thankfulness to Coach Newell and my son’s teammates for such a great run.
Other things I loved about this team were the awesome parents support, assistant coach Eric Manabe’s dedication, scorekeeper Lynnell Hill’s consistent support, and custodian Jose Brito’s devotion, and how everyone supported each other.
I want to thank all the fans (students, parents, staff, and community), and the Sentinel for their great support of this awesome team! I thank God and everyone who has supported this boys team, for such an awesome year that I’ll personally never forget, but cherish forever!
Proud Grads, Parents by Tami and Eric Vaughan.
As graduates of Santa Cruz High class of 1977, Eric and I (Tami McNeil Vaughan) would like to say what an amazing season this has been. To be a part of the 2005 state championship basketball team has been an incredible experience for our son and our family. Over 100 years of alumni have been supporting this team from our first tournament in SLO, to our last game at Arco Arena. We have felt the support! Seeing all the alumni at Arco on Saturday felt like a massive high school reunion! We know that this year’s team played this season for every one of those players that played for SCHS in the past. Eric and I have always felt that family is one of the most important things in our life; our family has now become even bigger. We want to thank the family of the 2005 state championship basket ball team!
Friendships Matter by Frances Freeman.
To sum up the season: Very exciting, it’s Santa Cruz history in the making. They are a very deserving group of young men. I’m going to miss watching them play. Win or lose, it’s been a great season and they should hold their heads high. I’m glad my son decided to stay at Santa Cruz High and play basketball. I told him that the friendship he has with the guys on the team is more important than the game of basketball. Yeah, if he went to another school he probably would have started, but he wouldn’t be part of what’s happening at Santa Cruz High now and being able to share that with your best friends is important. I’m sure he will remember this moment forever.
I know I will.
Our Heroes by Missy Pederson
We are all pretty excited about our boys this year, as you can imagine.
It is somewhat sad that this (state championship) will be the last game we wee these boys play in together ever again.
I think it will be a very emotional event, and no matter which way it goes, they will always be our heroes, our champions, who have given us a memory so cherished that it will never be forgotten.
My son is Billy–he’s also a football player (his real passion). His best friend, Michael Norteye, also on the team, is like a son to me, as is Junior Russell, who both spend much time at our house. Most of these guys have been playing together since seventh grade.
How fun to watch them grow up together, and now to see them heading off to college soon.
Thanks.
YEAR OF THE CARDS
As Santa Cruz piled up the wins, fans former players and longtime observers asked whether the Cards were the best ever in the county. Here’s a look back at two other SC basketball powerhouses.
HAPPY DAYS: 1952-53
A Fifties Perspective by Len Klempnauer SC grad of 1954 and former Sentinel sports writer.
Some of us appreciate Santa Cruz High’s state basketball championship a tad more than others, for we’ve been following the Cardinals for a good many years. I can remember attending a SCCAL tournament game in the 1990’s and recognizing among the spectators a player from the 1930’s, a couple who played in the 1940’s some from the 1950’s and a few more from the 1960’s, as well as youngsters from the succeeding decades.
When I entered SCHS as a sophomore in 1951 (freshmen attended Mission Hill or Branciforte Junior Highs then) kids from Ben Lomond, Felton, Scotts Valley, Soquel, Capitola and some from Aptos attended SCHS. There was not even San Lorenzo Valley High, although there was a small high school in Boulder Creek and even smaller Holy Cross High in SC. Soquel, Harbor, Scotts Valley and Aptos were not even a glimmer in some superintendent’s eye.
Much of our community’s entertainment revolved around SCHS during the school year and we were fortunate enough in the 1950’s to have one of the greatest SCHS basketball team of all time, the 1952-53 team comprised entirely of seniors and coached by Dr. Franklin “Lindy” Lindeburg (went on the next season to coach the basketball team at the new UC Riverside)
Friday night home games were played to packed houses of students, parents and alumni at the Civic Auditorium. Afterward, most of the kids flocked to the school gym for an “after game” dance. When the dances ended, we scurried back and forth between our two teen hangouts of the decade, the 5 Spot Drive-in on the East Side and the Cross Roads Drive-in on the West Side, before heading to our necking spots along the West Cliff Drive or some isolated place off High Street overlooking the city.
There have been some other very good SCHS basketball teams over the years, but the only three great ones in my opinion: that 1953-54 team the 1968-69 team coached by Bill Dodge and the current team. What they had in common were balance among the starting five and depth on the bench. What all three teams shared on the court was dominance over their opposition.
Unfortunately, our two earlier teams didn’t quite make it to the top. The Fifties team lost its opening game at the Tournament of Champions, an eight team playoff of league winners at UC Berkeley. But they did win the consolation bracket. The Sixties team lost in the finals of the CCS playoffs. One difference between then and now is that there weren’t any divisions based on school sizes and maybe that made a difference. Whatever the differences, there is no doubt now that the best SCHS team of all time, indeed the best Santa Cruz County team of all time, is the 2004-05 Cardinals.
1968-69 CARDINALS; LOADED WITH TALENT
Two recent letters to the Sentinel about the 1968-69 basketball team were appreciated by that group. Seven members of that team went on to play for four year schools in either basketball, baseball or football. A pretty exceptional group.
Gary Ghidinelli: basketball and baseball at San Jose State
Kris Sorensen: baseball and basketball at San Jose State
Dave Paul: basketball at San Jose State
Tom Foster: basketball at Cal
Rod Fleming: baseball at University of Arizona
Kirk Waller: football at San Francisco State
Steve Seymour: football at San Francisco State
There have been many other basketball players and teams at SC that were very good, but through different circumstances and times did not advance to the last game. They have gone on to successful lives and are a credit to our community’s. I know they are as proud of this team as can be. Many have been living this team’s successes along with our family, as if it were their own.
Santa Cruz has always been a basketball town. In the 1940’s and maybe even before that, the Civic Auditorium would be packed during the week for adult league games. But it is not fair to anyone to try to compare different eras and I do not think the writers of the letters were trying to. The tempo of the game has changed, a much faster overall pace now. The officiating has changed, more contact allowed now. There were fewer schools then, all the schools played in the same division. Players now usually concentrate on one sport, then most played at least two and sometimes three sports.
The three point shot and the 35 second clock are big changes that affect the game, along with year-round play by most players. Players have much more opportunity to test themselves against other top competition.
There are similarities between the two teams. They both were championship teams for three years, both had three tall players inside and an excellent point guard, (Ghidinelli was considered the standard to rate point guards by), a core group of three or more players for three years and the majority played together from fifth grade and had/have had the complete support of the Santa Cruz community. At Santa Clara University for the NorCal semifinals this year, it was very impressive when the crowd of nearly 3,000 stood as one to cheer the Cardinals.
Talking with others after the Burlingame CCS championship and reflecting back on almost 50 years in the SC community along with other old-timers, we agreed, it had gotten to the point that we wondered if this would ever happen, if the curse would ever end.
There have been other times when our expectations have been high and something would always happen. It would not be because the players weren’t playing as hard as they could, but there are things that can not be controlled. It does not mean they let down their community. They could still hold their heads high. They left it all on the court. I believe that all prior Cardinals, the entire community of Santa Cruz and the county, along with my wife Roberta and I would like to give this team and coach Newell a sincere thank you for all the good times this season. Bill Dodge
Additional information about the 1969 team from the 1969 summary.
BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE SEASON. FOR SECOND YEAR PLAYED IN CCS FINAL GAME. From the San Jose Mercury. RANKED FOURTH IN THE STATE BY IMPERIAL SPORTS IN THEIR FINAL POLL. The state rankings are (1) Compton 30-0; (2) Willow Glen 27-0; (3) Castlemont 21-2; (4) Santa Cruz 28-2; five through nine are LA teams. (10) Jesuit of Sacramento 18-1. From here down will only list Northern Cal teams through thirtieth place. (11) Stagg of Stockton 24-2; (12) Edison of Fresno 24-3; (16) Oakland 19-4; (17) Hayward 20-6; (18) Bishop O’Dowd 29-6; (19) McClymonds of Oakland 15-5; (22) Sacred Heart of San Francisco 23-7; (23) Buchser 24-4.
THE LONG AWAITED SEASON
From an observer who has watched this years seniors play at SC for four years and seen them continue to grow into the excellent group they are today.
For almost 50 years, we along with other old timers wondered whether a CCS championship would ever happen. “The curse against SCHS would never end”. But it has in an even bigger way.
This team could have had the same results for three years instead of one if Junior Russell had been injury free. His presence gives the team more confidence. Junior for his ball handling through double teams, pin point passes setting up others perfectly for shots, clutch play, steals and all around control of the game.
Cliff Sammett for his dunks, blocked shots, rebounding, tips, tough drives to the basket, good passes inside, quarterback passes for break a ways, support of the younger players to make them feel confident and communicator for the team.
Austin Swift for his three point shots especially in clutch situations, good defense and especially on the press picking off passes, being the point guard last year and taking on more responsibility now to get Junior some rest, making quick drives to the basket, a very versatile player who can fill in at any position.
Everyone knows the big three, so have limited the comments on them. So much more could be said about what they have meant to the team.
Then come the new comers, who at this point in the season have built up their confidence. to be impact players, not just fill ins. Chris Sharp has risen to the point where coach Newell had the confidence to put the last game on the line giving Chris the responsibility of making the game winning shot. Chris rebounds tough and once the ball is in his hands no one is going to take it from him, gets himself in position to receive the ball around the basket from his good passing mates, handles the ball out on the court, plays good defense on the post and all the way to the perimeter if needed. He was a solid player from the beginning, but with each increasingly successful outing has made him a person coach does not want to take out.
Jesse Lobue took a while to work his way into the starting line up. He had formidable competition for his position and did not play much last year, so had the least experience of any of the usual playing eight. He has the size, quickness and shooting ability to be a major player on next years team. As he gained experience, his confidence rose along with his playing time. He gained the confidence of his team mates, who have been supportive of him and helped him with situations when he was just learning. Jesse was a key player in the win over Palo Alto and his stock has continued to rise ever since. With his new confidence in himself, he has been getting double figures in rebounds and points during the playoffs..
Two players who have lost playing time are still very important cogs to the success of this quick striking team. Michael Norteye started and played more minutes last year and has started this year, but he has been more valuable to this team. After having a very successful football season along with teammate Billy Pederson, they both got to the basketball team late, but stepped right up and into the line up in basketball. In the third game of the season in San Luis Obispo with the game on the line at the end, they both stepped to the foul line and made two clutch free throws a piece to win the game. A big moment for them right off the bat and they had been out only a short time.
Michael is known for his defense and rightly so. He covers a lot of territory in a flash, but I am not sure everyone sees him helping double down to help on good post players and notice how he tips balls to keep it in play so Junior can snatch and go. You would not expect him to rebound like he does, but he adds a fourth rebounder to what should be only a three rebounder team when he is in there. He was a major factor in the important first O’Dowd game playing tough defense, rebounding under the basket and when he could not control the ball tipping it out to Junior. Michael has felt more comfortable handling the ball this year and can be an offensive threat when needed.
Billy started and was an important contributor during the tough preseason schedule that coach Newell set up for the team. This was the make or break period that set the tone for what is happening now. The team found success in foreign and unfriendly territory against area power house teams. It let them know they were really as good as they thought they were. One never knows until he accomplishes the task. It counts a lot more than just telling yourself, you are good and deep down not really knowing. Now they are enjoying the icing on the cake. Back in the preseason the table was set for the success they are having now.
Billy with his knowledge of the game and his athletic ability was always in the right spots at the right time, which is very important against good teams. He made it very hard for others to play much. But with a team like this with extra size and fire power available, coach slowly made a move to reduce Billy’s time on the court. The worst situation for any player and especially a competitive player like Billy, when they are playing well and contributing to the team is spend time on the bench. Billy should be highly commended with the way he has reacted to what has happened to him. It takes a big person, which he is, to react as he has. Even though his role has diminished he continues to prepare himself for the games as he had before. His overall value to the success of the season has not been lost.
Two seniors, who have played for four years, Julius Freeman and Travis Haussler have at important times in the season, put in quality time on the floor. In another season, they would be first stringers along with others on the bench. Julius played behind Junior. A bad place to be. He has handled the ball well, played pressure defense and scored well for the amount of his playing time.
Travis will go into the game and hardly be noticed as a substitute. He is as tall as the other inside players, can score and rebound and is a very capable player. As the team jelled his playing time went down, not because of his play, but because of the coming together of the unit on the floor.
To Eric Van Vliet it is a shame you missed this opportunity, after playing so well at the end of last season and as I understand, having an even more successful summer. But with the opportunity at Fresno you still have more years to keep improving. Good luck.
To the rest of the team, who fight the regulars every day in practice and many times give them more competition than they face in some games, you have been part of something special. Something you will carry with you the rest of your lives. For those who will be back next year, you will be able to carry the cardinal uniform well, as have the other teams before you.
On the many faceted coach Newell, he is much more than a basketball coach. If you just went to basketball games, you might think he is a terror and this year he was calm. He is not just the basketball coach, but he is a regular teacher giving instruction and keeping his students involved every day, before games and the next day. He is one of the most respected teachers at the SCHS. Students want to be in his class. He is available to them any time.
He gives basketball clinics not only in the county, but around the country. I have been around him at football games and kids from other schools, who have been to one of his clinics will come and visit. If you want to talk to him, do not try when kids are around, because you will not have a chance.
Coach will never stop coaching or working with kids and it is a good thing. Because so much good would be lost. Sometimes a coach is a coach, but Pete is so much more than a coach, which to me is the highest honor I personally could give someone.
Everyone knows his record, so will not enter that realm. All season long the whole area has shown their appreciation for your contributions to basketball and the kids. This has been a dream season for everyone.
Junior Varsity coach, Charles Burks has worked with coach Newell for many years and not just during basketball season. He applies the same principals and goals. His players are always prepared and work hard. Have commended him many times with how his team has played. Most teams do not take any or many sophomores on varsity, but SCHS does. Charles is successful against teams who usually have more sophomores.. When the players get to the varsity, they know what to expect and are ready.
Frosh coach Kristy Netto and her assistant and dad Phil Netto, center of the 1957 CCAL champion and end of season TOC tournament team, had some of these players on their freshman team. As Charles does they get the players ready for varsity. There are times when they jump all the way to varsity skipping junior varsity. Kristy is one of the few women coaching boys that I know of and she enjoys it. The players respect her and follow her instructions. Watching the game one would not know by the way they that they didn’t have a man coach, but a woman coach. At practice and games she is a coach, but after she reverts back to her normal self. One we would all like to know.
All three assistants are Santa Cruz high grads. Both teams the frosh and JV team were mostly made up freshmen that jumped to the varsity and are now playing on this 2005 team, as freshman lost few games.. Think it was two for each team.
Eric Manabe, varsity assistant, has had a couple of different shifts with Coach Newell and keeps things running smoothly for the Cards. He has head varsity coaching experience
We have watched this group play since they were freshman. You could see they would be a special group.
It has been the dream season and one that anyone who has been in a competitive situation has strived for.
SCHS LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS
(Doc: BOYS Lightweight Champs)
| TRACK won titles in |
| 1904 |
| 1905 |
| 1907 |
| 1909 |
| 1910 |
| 1911 |
| 1912 |
| 1913 |
| 1914 |
| 1915 |
| 1916 |
| 1918 |
| 1919 |
| 1923 |
| 1927 |
| 1928 |
| 1929 |
| 1947 |
| TOTAL of 18 |
| Last season 1971 |
| FOOTBALL |
| 1925 |
| 1926 UNDEFEAED |
| 1927 UNDEFEATED |
| 1928 |
| 1929 |
| 1930 SIX IN A ROW |
| 1933 UNDEFEATED |
| 1952 |
| TOTAL OF 8 |
| Last season 1967 |
| Basketball |
| 1926 Finals of NCS |
| 1929 Finals of NCS |
| 1930 |
| 1934 |
| 1935 |
| 1937 Undefeated |
| 1938 Undefeated |
| 1940 Undefeated |
| 1941 Undefeated |
| 1942 |
| 1945 |
| 1946 |
| 1948 |
| 1958 |
| 1959 Undefeated |
| 1966 |
| 1967 Undefeated |
| 1968 |
| TOTAL of 18 |
| Last season was 1971 |
INFORMATION ON SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH SCHOOL WINNERS
Through 1976 to End of MBL and Start of SCCAL
(Doc: CCAL league info and champ by school to 76)
A chart of sports championships for the original CCAL, which became the MBL until it broke off into three leagues is at the end of this information.
On the chart the slashes between schools means it was a co-championship or even a tri-championship. The league rules were if there was a tie at the end of the season it meant a co-championship. A playoff was only for a team to move on to further competition in section or state. There seemed to be some confusion on this by some schools.
All sports years listed are based on the school year graduation date. For example, for football played in the calendar year 1938 would be listed as 1939 graduation date of the players.
In 1916 King City joined the league. Previous members were Watsonville, Salinas, Hollister, Gonzales, Monterey, Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove. All members did not participate in all sports.
In 1921 the league was split up into the A league: Watsonville, Hollister, Salinas and Santa Cruz. The B league: Monterey, Pacific Grove, Gonzales, King City and later Gilroy and Live Oak of Morgan Hill.
This will include 3 out of the 4 original A league CCAL teams. Later Hollister was included part of the time more than any other school to the A league action and won their share of titles. Pacific Grove, King City, Gonzales and Gilroy won some A league titles.
In 1921 the league was split up into the A league: Watsonville, Hollister, Salinas and Santa Cruz. The B league: Monterey, Pacific Grove, King City, Gonzales and Gilroy.
In 1927 Pacific Grove, King City and Monterey played an A league schedule. Pacific Grove had the most wins in basketball, but was just crowned as the B league champ and Santa Cruz as the A league champ. This will include 3 out of the 4 original A league CCAL teams titles.
Carmel came in 1941. This format continued until 1946, when it went back to separate A and B league schedules. League members playing a double round robin against one another. Even with this format there were still changes in leagues in different sports. Pacific Grove, King City, Gonzales and Gilroy won some A league titles.
In 1964 the MBL was started with the original four A league teams plus Monterey, North Salinas, Soquel and Aptos to make it a ten team league.
The main source of information came from the SCHS school newspaper, which was fortunate to have a school printing program to run off a weekly newspaper until the mid 60’s. Many of the sports editors ended up at the Sentinel later. They were into sports. They not only reported on SCHS, but many times printed league rankings and scores. If they did not, they almost always said who won the league at the end of the season as well as showing weekly updates.
Brad Hubbard AD at Watsonville graciously sent us his school championship records, which we plugged into the chart first thing. Instant results.
The Sentinel was used in some cases were there was confusion.
Not all spots on the chart are filled. We are hoping some of you out there can help fill these in or if there are errors let us know so we can make the chart as accurate as possible.
The early years usually will be the hardest to find, but with the SCHS newspaper and yearbooks keeping individual game scores and results, we feel these early years should be covered pretty well. But any discrepancies found will be changed.
We have limited putting information in the chart with only written records as much as possible. Once getting input from word of mouth, would follow up with working at verifying the information. The biggest problems happened with individual sports. Individuals winning league titles does not mean the team won.
CHAMPIONS OF THE CCAL AND ORIGINAL MBL – ALL SCHOOLS
Abbreviations: ?-different results from different sources; slash marks- co or tri championships; fb-football; bb-basketball; base-baseball; tr-track; te-tennis; wr-wrestling; cc-cross country; schools: HAR- Harbor; H-Hollister; GI-Gilroy; KC-King City; M-Monterey; NS-North Salinas; S-Salinas; SC-Santa Cruz; SE-Seaside; W-Watsonville; PG-Pacific Grove
| YEAR | FB | BB | BASEBALL | TRACK | TENNIS | GOLF |
| 1916 | W | SC | ||||
| 1917 | SC | S | ||||
| 1918 | SC | SC | SC | |||
| 1919 | M | SC | SC | |||
| 1920 | S | SC | H | PG | ||
| 1921 | S | S | SC | S | SC | |
| 1922 | S | SC | S | S | SC | |
| 1923 | S | W | W | SC | SC | |
| 1924 | W/H | W | SC | SC | SC | |
| 1925 | W | W | SC | H | SC | |
| 1926 | S | W | H | H | SC | |
| 1927 | S | SC | SC | SC | SC | |
| 1928 | SC | W | SC | SC | SC | |
| 1929 | H | SC/M/PG | W | SC | M | |
| 1930 | M | PG | M ? GONZ | W | SC | |
| 1931 | M | W | GONZALES | S | SC | |
| 1932 | S | W | H | KC | PG | |
| 1933 | S/H | S/SC | SC | S | PG | |
| 1934 | S | W | H/GILROY | S | M | |
| 1935 | W | SC | SC | SC | ||
| 1936 | W | W/SC | SC | SC | ||
| 1937 | W | M | SC/W | H | SC | |
| 1938 | W/H | M | SC/W | M | SC | |
| 1939 | M | SC | SC/H | S | SC | PG |
| 1940 | H | SC | H | S | M | |
| 1941 | S | S | S | SC/M/S | SC | |
| 1942 | SC | SC | ||||
| 1943 | NO LEAGUE | |||||
| 1944 | SC | M | H | S | ||
| 1945 | H | M | SC | S | ||
| 1946 | S/M | W | W | SC | ||
| 1947 | H | W | W | SC/PG |
Watsonville won wrestling 1946, 1947, 1948
| YR
YYR |
FB | BB | BASE | TR | TE | GOLF | WR | SWIM | CC |
| 1948 | M | W | S | W | W | ||||
| 1949 | W | M | S | W | M | ||||
| 1950 | W | S/W | S | W ? S | |||||
| 1951 | W | SC | S | M | M | ||||
| 1952 | W | M | S | H ? S | M | SC | |||
| 1953 | W | SC | W | M ? S | M | M | SC | ||
| 1954 | W | S | W | S | M/W | S | |||
| 1955 | W | S | W | S | SC | SC | |||
| 1956 | W/M | W | W | S | M | W?GIL | |||
| 1957 | SC | M | S | S | GILRO | ||||
| 1958 | S | M | S | M ? S | SC | ||||
| 1959 | SC | SC | W/M | S | PG | W | |||
| 1960 | S | M | S/SC | KC | W | W | |||
| 1961 | M | M | SC | M | W | W | |||
| 1962 | M | M | SC/M | M | SC | ||||
| 1963 | SC | W | SC | M | W | W | |||
| 1964 | M | M ? S | M | M | W | W | W | W | |
| 1965 | M | SC | M | W | W | W | |||
| 1966 | M | W ? S | W ? M | W ? M | W | W | W | W | |
| 1967 | SC/NS | SC | W | SC | W | ||||
| 1968 | SC | SC | SC | SE | S | ||||
| 1969 | S/M | SC | SC | w | W | ||||
| 1970 | M/S | ALISAL | SC | W | |||||
| 1971 | M | W/AL/NS | SC | APTOS | W | HAR | W | ||
| 1972 | M/NS | ALISAL | SC | SE | APTOS | W | |||
| 1973 | SO | APTOS | M | APTOS | W | ||||
| 1974 | SO | APTOS | ALISAL | APTOS | W | ||||
| 1975 | SO | APTOS | SO | SC | APTOS | ALISAL | S | ||
| 1976 | HAR | APTOS | SC | SC | W ? A | W | |||
| GIRLS | |||||||||
| BB | SOFTB | ||||||||
| 1973 | |||||||||
| 1974 | |||||||||
| 1975 | SC | SC | |||||||
| 1976 | SC | ||||||||
WATSONVILLE BOYS WON SOCCER 73-77
santacruzsportshistory 