Sports

With his mom and brother seated beside him, Anthony Rodriguez officially committed to playing baseball in college.

The Christopher girls soccer team has racked up 13 goals this season — and its only played two games.

The Gavilan men's team trailed by only six points at halftime against West Valley Friday, but the hosts turned up the heat after the break.

The Gavilan Rams rallied to a 14-13 fourth-quarter lead before

Despite losing all-leaguer Chelsea Hill, five others to graduation and its head coach from a 2010-11 team that cruised to an undefeated Tri-County Athletic League championship (22-2 overall) and was moments away from advancing to the Central Coast Section Division I finals, the pieces were in place – four key returners and a handful of wildcard newcomers eager to contribute – for a sequel in 2011-12.

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of prep previews the Dispatch will be running leading up to the start of the season. We will focus on a different sport and team each week.

Dani Hemeon has already carved out a big name for herself in college field hockey, and playing for Team USA in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro has become a realistic goal.

Emmanuel Salcedo was instramental for the Christopher boys volleyball team this season, leading it to back-to-back playoff berths. The senior outside hitter, who coach Karrie Gonzalez called her “MVP” after the team's last game, was recognized with three Monterey Bay All-League honors Tuesday.

After suffering a heartbreaking loss the day before, the Christopher boys basketball team wanted to be sure that didn't happen again. Four Cougars scored in double digits, helping their team to a 69-49 win over Del Mar Thursday at the Los Gatos Wildcat shootout. Christopher had lost by just one point, 70-69, in double overtime in the tournament opener and had to win to stay alive. Senior Evan Shapiro and junior Josh Wheat led the charge for CHS by both scoring 14 points in the game.  Senior Shane Suttles added 11 points, while junior Chad Hartman put up 10. Christopher (2-1) will continue play in the tournament at 5 p.m. today against Lincoln in Los Gatos for the Consolation Championship.  GIRLS BASKETBALL Christopher wins nailbitter  Talk about a close one. The Christopher girls basketball team fended off a 16-point fourth quarter burst from Pacific Collegiate to win 48-47in the opening round of the Watsonville Classic Thursday. The Cougars led 34-31 heading into the final quarter and were outscored by their opponents. Luckily for CHS, its lead was just enough to escape PC.  Christa Arroya hit four 3-pointers in the game and led the attack with 18 points. Dejah Raoof had 11 points — included two 3-pointers — and Cydney Caradonna scored 10.