The Aptos High Junior Varsity Boys Basketball team has finished its first undefeated season since 1998. The Mariners were victorious in all 24 games it played during the 2016-2017 season.
In December, the Mariners won the Bob Hagen Memorial Tournament in Gilroy. Logan Feldbrugge was named to the All-Tournament team, and Silvano Lopez was awarded the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Later that month, the team won the Watsonville JV Tournament. Lopez was named to the All-Tournament team, along with Anthony Sanchez. Hunter Matys took home MVP honors.
In addition to winning those tournaments, Aptos defeated McClymonds (Oakland), Gilroy, Saratoga, Leigh (Campbell), Westmont (Campbell) and Salinas in non-league games. Trailing by 13 points at halftime against Leigh, Feldbrugge led the Mariners with 31 points in a comeback victory.
The Mariners went 12-0 to win the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League title, matching its 12-0 non-league record. The closest that Aptos came to losing all season was in a three point victory over Santa Cruz on January 5. Down by six with less than two minutes to play, the Mariners were sparked by a three point shot by Connor Nowark. Nowark followed that up with steals on consecutive possessions to help take the lead back for good with under a minute to play.
Throughout the 2016-17 season, Aptos trailed in fourth quarter only once, won 20 of its 24 games by double digits, and averaged a 16-point victory.
Coached by Chris Grieves and Michael Sutherland, the roster included Logan Feldbrugge, Silvano Lopez, Anthony Sanchez, Hunter Matys, Connor Nowark, Jackson Shirley, Marcel Lopez, Casey Weeland, Grant Lawrence, Josh Barry, Alex Taylor, Kyle Passey, Hayden Mennie, and team captains Shane Modena and Jacob Kluger. All 15 players are in their sophomore year, and everyone contributed greatly to the success of the team.
Go Mariners in 2017-18!