Basketball Game Preview: Aptos Mariners vs. Summit Shasta Black Bears

The Aptos Mariners and the Summit Shasta Black Bears will round out the year against one another at at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this match.

Aptos is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Half Moon Bay just ended the team's five-game winning streak on Thursday. They were beaten by the Cougars 61-29. While losing is never fun, the Mariners can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 349th, while the Cougars are ranked 90th).

Despite the defeat, Aptos saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Eliya Chavez posted 11 points and five boards.

Meanwhile, Summit Shasta was not able to break out of their rough patch two weeks ago as the team picked up their third straight loss. They took a 47-31 bruising from Carlmont.

Aptos' defeat dropped their record down to 7-2. As for Summit Shasta, they now have a losing record at 2-3.

Aptos didn't have too much breathing room in their contest against Summit Shasta when the teams last played back in January, but they still walked away with a 66-61 win. Does Aptos have another victory up their sleeve, or will Summit Shasta turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.