The sky may have been a bit cloudy, but it had the feeling of a bright, sunny day. As has been the custom over many, many years, the Milton American Little League and Softball programs kicked off their 2025 season with their annual parade to Cunningham Park during the afternoon hours of April 27.
Gathering at the corner of Huntington and Edge Hill roads, players aged 4-12, decked out in their team’s uniforms, made the short trek to Cunningham Park. Once more escorted by the town’s police and fire departments, both of whom have always been willing to help with the festivities before each season.
“This has been a tradition for a few decades,” said Milton American President Steve Novak, “We’ve had a great relationship with the police and fire, and generally after a phone call, they are more than happy to be our escort.”
The fun wouldn’t end there however, as both programs branched off to their respective diamonds, with softball up at the top near the parking lot and Babe Ruth/High School diamond and baseball at the lower field facing Fullers Lane. Awaiting T-ball, Mites, Pee Wees, Minors and Majors, would run onto their field whenever their team name and sponsors were called. Standing on either side were members of the Milton High baseball team, high-fiving every kid as they were going by.
Also as part of the general ceremony, Novak welcomed all players, friends and families before inviting Bob Greene and Paul Samuelian, representatives from Milton Kiwanis, the sponsor of last year’s Majors champions to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Novak would honor Milton American’s sponsors and also mentioned the town’s Community Preservation Committee, who generously approved the funding in making improvements to the ballfields around town, namely the infield, fencing and netting at Andrews Park.
ANAHUAC— Dusting off old sneakers, Anahuac High School alums joined in a friendly game of basketball against the new generation of Panthers, taking a couple of wins while raising funds for a worthy cause.
The Anahuac High School Gym was packed on Saturday, Dec. 20, for the 2025 Anahuac Panther Alumni Basketball Game, hosted by the Anahuac Youth Sports Organization in partnership with the Anahuac Independent School District.
“We are so proud of how this event turned out,” AYSO Communications Officer Samantha Humphrey said. “There was so much joy in the Panther Den, and it was incredible to see multiple generations come together for such a special night.”
Generations of Panther basketball players and fans enjoyed a day of basketball, with nearly 300 in attendance, all gathered for some lighthearted competition that served as a fundraiser supporting local youth sports.
With graduating classes dating back to 1998, a total of 28 men and 10 women returned to the court to see if they still had their skills.
Two men’s alum teams, coached by Tristan Lewis and Deray Williams, played in the opening game, followed by the women’s alum team, coached by Samantha Humphrey and Tori Lewis.
As for the game results, the 4 p.m. game saw Williams Alumni defeat Lewis Alumni.
At 5 p.m., Women’s Alumni faced Girls Varsity, with the alum team taking the win. At 6 p.m., the Men’s Alumni took the victory over the Boys Varsity.
Fans also competed during some three-point contests throughout the evening.
Winners included Meagan Perry, Women’s Three-Point Contest; Zachary Childress, Men’s Three-Point Contest; and Cullen Cotton, Open Three-Point Contest.
Perry received a prize of $110, Childress earned $170, and Cotton was awarded $250.
The evening was full of energy and Panther pride as alumni, current students, families and friends came together to support a sport they hold dear.
AYSO wishes to share a special thanks to AISD, the alum players, coaches, volunteers, referees and the community for making the evening a great success.
For more information about upcoming events or to find out how to get involved with AYSO, contact AYSO, follow the organization on social media, or join the group on Facebook at Facebook.com/groups/AnahuacYouthSportsOrg.
Watsonville High senior forward Anthony Guido, left, and junior Alan Alonso currently have the Wildcatz boys’ soccer team on a three game win streak following a 4-1 victory over Salinas High on Jan. 6. (Raul Ebio/The Pajaronian)
Watsonville junior Justin Alfaro recorded a hat trick to help lift the boys’ soccer team to a 4-1 victory over Salinas in the teams’ Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division opener Jan. 6.
Alfaro finished with a game-best three goals, while teammate junior Jesus Contreras-Barboza notched one goal for the Wildcatz, who are currently riding a three game win streak.
Damien Mora, Anthony Guido, Diego Guillen and Contreras-Baroboza each had one assist, while goalkeeper Adrian Fernandez tallied six saves in front of the net.
Watsonville (6-1-1, 1-0-0) plays at Seaside (2-6) in league play on Jan. 12 at 5:45pm.
At Monte Vista Christian 2, Pacific Collegiate 0: Enzo Owens and Ryan Noyes each notched one goal in the Mustangs’ shutout victory over the Pumas in PCAL Cypress Division action Tuesday afternoon.
Teammate Patrick Tracey finished with a pair of assists, while Sai Patel and Owens each had one assist for MVC (5-3-1, 1-0), which hosts Rancho San Juan in league play on Jan. 12 at 5:45pm.
Girls’ soccer
St. Ignatius 4, Aptos 3: Isabella Hartnett, Emilie Santigao and Aubrie Ford each notched one goal in the Mariners’ narrow loss to the Wildcats at the SoCal High School Classic in Oceanside on Dec. 31.
Teammate Maddie Redding and Hartnett each recorded one assist, while goalkeeper Tayanna Bonilla came up big with a pair of key saves to keep the Mariners within reach.
Aptos (4-4-1) will begin Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League play at Santa Cruz on Jan. 13 at 7pm.
At Pacific Collegiate 3, MVC 2: Ashley Drago and Tea Knowles-Osmeni each had one goal in the Mustangs’ loss to the Pumas in PCAL Mission Division play Tuesday.
Goalkeepers Charlotte Groves and Cloe Morrow had two and one saves, respectively, for MVC (3-4-2, 0-1-0), which plays at Watsonville in league play on Jan. 12 at 6:45pm.
Alvarez 2, at Pajaro Valley 1: Scarlet Gomez recorded the lone goal for the Grizzlies in Tuesday afternoon’s loss to the Eagles in PCAL Gabilan Division action.
Teammate goalkeeper Aniah Federico tallied six saves for Pajar Valley (2-3-1, 0-1-0), which plays hosts Soledad in league play on Jan. 14 at 3:30pm.
Boys’ basketball
At Watsonville 60, Aptos 36: Gabe Castillo had a team-best seven points in the Mariners’ loss to the Wildcatz in non-league play Jan. 2. Teammate Madoxx Diaz added six points, one rebound and one assist.
Levi Race, Diego Mejia and Sam Penera each contributed five points for Aptos (4-10), which begins SCCAL play at Santa Cruz on Jan. 9 at 7:30pm.
At MVC 60, King City 49: Matteo Vidal finished with a team-best 18 points in the Mustangs’ win over King City in PCAL Cypress Division play on Tuesday evening.
Vidal added eight rebounds and four assists, while teammate Jeremy Silver added 17 points, three rebounds and four assists. Go Kamishita contributed 10 points and six assists for MVC (7-3, 1-0), which plays at Harbor in non-league play on Jan. 10 at 2pm.
Alvarez 68, at St. Francis 62: Robert Gomez Jr. finished with a team-best 24 points in the Sharks’ loss to the Eagles in PCAL Mission Division play Tuesday evening.
Teammate Jacob Jimenez tallied 20 points, while Isiah Villalobos contributed 11 points for St. Francis (5-7, 0-1), which plays at Marina on Jan. 12 at 7pm.
At Watsonville 64, Salinas 53: Senior Max Aceves recorded a team-best 20 points in the ‘Catz’s victory over the Cowboys in PCAL Gabilan Division action Monday evening.
Teammate senior Yahir Cisneros contributed 15 points for Watsonville (5-6, 1-1), which hosts Carmel on Jan. 9 at 7pm.
Girls’ basketball
At Salinas 55, Watsonville 33: Stephanie Martinez finished with eight points five assists and three steals in the ‘Catz’s loss to the Cowboys in PCAL Gabilan Division play on Tuesday evening.
Teammate Leilani Yasin had seven points, four rebounds and six steals for Watsonville (5-6, 0-1), which plays at Hollister on Jan. 12 at 7pm.
Editor’s note: Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit results and highlights to jr****@*****ys.com. Follow sports editor Juan Reyes (@jmreyes831) on X/Twitter for scores and news updates.
• The Hull HighBoys Varsity Basketball team also split its last two matchups, losing a close game, 48-47, to Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School in Boston on Friday, January 2, and defeating Falmouth Academy at home, 60-20, on Monday. Up next for the 3-2 team are a rematch with Academy of the Pacific Rim at home on Thursday, January 8 at 6:30 p.m. and a road game against Upper Cape Cod Regional Vocational Technical High School on Friday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m. The JV squad defeated the Academy of the Pacific Rim team, 54-35, on January 2 and will play the Dragons again on Thursday at 5 p.m. before the varsity game.
• The Girls Varsity Basketball team is 0-6 on the season after losses to Ursuline Academy in the Scituate Holiday Tournament, 40-19, on December 31, and a 44-37 loss on the road to New Heights Charter School in Brockton on Monday. Next up for the Pirates are a road game against Boston Latin Academy on Friday, January 9 at 6 p.m. and then home matchups against Excel Academy Charter School on Monday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. and Abington High School on Wednesday, January 14 at 5:30 p.m.
• The Hingham-Hull Cooperative Gymnastics squad’s next competition will be held on Saturday, January 10 at 6 p.m. against Scituate High School at the South Shore YMCA Gymnastics Training Center.
• The next meet for the Boys and Girls Indoor Track teams will be against Mashpee on Monday, January 26 at 4 p.m. at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston.
• For the full schedule for each Hull High team, visit www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=10611.
• Hull Pirates In-Town Youth Basketball begins this weekend. Programs include a skills and drills co-ed session for grades 1 and 2 from 8-9 a.m., a co-ed program for grades 3 and 4 from 9-10 a.m., as well as an open gym program (also co-ed) for grades 5-8 from 10-11:30 a.m., all at the Jacobs School gym. Some travel teams are on the road this weekend, but there are home games as well:
Saturday, January 10 at the Jacobs School: Girls Grade 6 vs. Hingham at 2 p.m.; Girls Grade 7 vs. Marshfield at 3 p.m.; Girls Grade 8 vs. Cohasset at 4 p.m.
Sunday, January 11 at the Jacobs School: Girls Grade 7 vs. Halifax at 12 p.m.
Sunday, January 11 at the Hull High: Boys Grade 8 vs. Hanover at 1 p.m.; Boys Grade 4 vs. Scituate at 2:15 p.m.; Boys Grade 3 vs. Norwell at 3:30 p.m.
For more information, visit http://hullbasketball.leagueapps.com/camps.
• A combined Girls 3/4 travel basketball team competes at the fourth-grade level and has a record of 1-3. Next games are against Kingston on Saturday, January 10 at 6 p.m. and against Sandwich on Sunday, January 11 at 2 p.m. All games are played at Indian Head Elementary School in Hanson, so fans have to travel to take in a game. The full schedule of game times and weekly opponents is at this link: www.oldcolonybasketball.org/team/hull/4/1.
• Registration is open for Hull Youth Lacrosse – two travel teams and the in-town programs – through January 22. For more information, visit www.hulllax.com or email hullyouthlax@gmail.com if you have any questions.
• Coaches, league organizers, and superfans – We need your help to report the scores and results of the latest events in Hull’s sports world! Please send local sports news and photos to sports@hulltimes.com. Deadline is Wednesday at noon. When providing details of the games or races, please be sure to include the sport/team, the players’ full names, and the final scores. When sending photos, names of those pictured are greatly appreciated, as well as who should get credit for taking the photo.
The Northern Lights Volleyball 16-1 club team spent the holidays traveling through Europe and competing in two tournaments abroad Dec. 25-Jan. 5.
The team won the 18U Youth Alpen Tournament in Innsbruck, Austria and took third place in the 19U SV Dynamo International Youth Tournament in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.
The 16-1 team out of Burnsville, Minn., is made up of players from high schools around the state, including Rochester Century’s sophomore Laney Stellmaker. Other players on the roster attend Eagan, Prior Lake, St. Paul Academy, Lakeville North, East Ridge, Thomas Jefferson (Bloomington), Waconia and Chanhassen.
According to its website, the SV Dynamo tournament “guarantees three days of top-level volleyball with the best youth teams from the Netherlands and beyond. For many clubs, the youth tournament has been the ideal preparation for the Open Club (national championships for club teams). Foreign top youth teams see the tournament as a unique opportunity to measure their strength against European opponents.”
The NLV 16-2 team also traveled and competed in the tournaments, finishing third in Apeldoorn and sixth in Innsbruck.
Players from both teams documented their travels with
journals and videos.
Stellmaker, an All-Big Nine selection, recorded 493 set assists, 200 kills, 313 digs, 61 ace serves and 20 blocks during her sophomore campaign with the Panthers. She also reached 1,000 career set assists during the 2025 season.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
Colorado Springs, Colo. (January 8, 2026) – USA Ultimate has recently made available a new, free resource for adults teaching young, beginning ultimate players. This new program, titled Community Coach, offers a learning experience targeted to individuals who have an interest in coaching but limited experience with the sport of ultimate.
The effort — led by USA Ultimate’s Youth and Education Program Manager Sam Callan — was developed in collaboration with Youth Programs Director Dan Raabe and Grant Boyd of USA Ultimate Affiliate, California Ultimate, with input from others in the ultimate coaching community.
The program went live with a soft launch near the end of last year and is currently available through the USA Ultimate’s Mobile Coach website and app.
The course is aimed at those looking to start middle school programs and includes:
An introduction to coaching, including advice from elite ultimate coach Matty Tsang.
A module covering the basics of the game and how to facilitate a learning environment with videos covering how to teach skills, including throwing and catching.
Videos featuring longtime ultimate coach Libby Cravens explaining how to teach offensive and defensive plays.
Four introductory practice plans with equipment lists and advice for how to change things up to fit different groups and spaces.
A kid-friendly rules introduction and additional resources.
“We are excited to introduce this new coaching program for adults who are newcomers to ultimate,” shared Callan. “Making ultimate accessible is an ongoing goal of USAU and getting parents and teachers involved is a great way to extend the availability of ultimate programming to youth who are exploring new sports.”
* The Citizen’s annual Year in Review, featuring a look back at the top news and sports stories of 2025
