ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - With the fall high school sports post season coming to a close, the winter sports have already begun their seasons. Three sports have started their seasons with boys and girls: basketball, soccer and wrestling.  

Both basketball and wrestling began two weeks back, while soccer played its first games this last week on Dec. 1 and Dec. 5.                

The top three boys’ basketball teams from last year were Sheldon, Monterey Trail and Franklin. And they are all looking to have the same success this year.      

Sheldon last year was first in the Delta League with a league record of 11-1 and overall record of 19-10. Monterey Trais ended up in second with Franklin finishing in third.         

All three teams had the opportunity to play in the Section Championship tournament where both Monterey Trail and Franklin were able to advance to the second round before being eliminated, while Sheldon was eliminated in the first round.            

For girls’ basketball, the top teams were Monterey Trail, Laguna Creek and Pleasant Grove. Monterey Trail was first in the Delta League with a perfect league record of 12-0 and an overall record of 19-6. Laguna Creek followed in second while Pleasant Grove finished in third.       

 

The Pleasant Grove wrestling team conditions with stance motion at the end of practice. 

          

Just like the boys’ teams, all three of the girls’ teams had a chance to play in the Section Championship Tournament. However, Monterey Trail and Pleasant Grove were in the Division I bracket while Laguna Creek was in the Division II Bracket. Unfortunately, all three teams were eliminated in the first round.            

With boys’ soccer starting last week, the top three teams from last year were Franklin, Pleasant Grove and Sheldon. Franklin finished first in the Delta League, going 11-1 for league play and 21-3-1 on the season. Pleasant Grove finished in second with Sheldon coming in third.   

Each team made the Section Tournament, where Pleasant Grove and Sheldon made it to the second round before being eliminated. Franklin was actually able to beat Pleasant Grove in the second round to advance to the semi-finals. Franklin advanced to the championship game, ultimately winning the Section Championship and having the opportunity to play in the state tournament. There the team was eliminated in the first round after an amazing season.            

The girls’ soccer teams for Franklin and Pleasant Grove were again a part of the top three teams along with Cosumnes Oaks. Franklin again finished first in the Delta League with Pleasant Grove in second, while Cosumnes Oaks came in third. Franklin ended the season 9-2-1 within the league and 11-7-2 on the season.       

Both Franklin and Pleasant Grove competed in the Division I bracket for the Section Championship while Cosumnes Oaks was in the Division II bracket. Franklin was eliminated in the first round, while Pleasant Grove and Cosumnes Oaks both advanced to the semifinals before being eliminated.                

And although wrestling has the ability to be a team sport, it is essentially an individual effort, where two people wrestle one on one looking to not only get better at their craft, but to win the match and move closer to winning each tournament.           

Getting a team win for wrestling is simply a byproduct of what each individual wrestler can do in their match.

 

Pleasant Grove wrestlers surround a coach as he demonstrates moves.