The third season

Sometimes people call the playoffs "the second season." It's a valid metaphor. Ask the Arroyo Grande High boys basketball team.

The Eagles took fifth place in the regular season and lost to rival Nipomo three times. But in the second season, the playoffs, they captured the imagination of central coast basketball fans.

Arroyo Grande's venture deep into the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division II-A playoffs had us all wondering wether an unseeded wild-card team could actually win a section title.

The second season. It's like "wait 'til next year" — just without all the waiting.

But Tuesday night marked the beginning of what I'm starting to call the third season.

That's when all of the bigger schools in the county have all been eliminated from the playoffs and small schools like Mission Prep and Coast Union start getting all the front page attention.

They're accustomed to it. The Mission Prep boys and girls are favored to win section titles. The girls are going for No. 15 in a row. For the boys, it would be No. 4, but the past two were stripped in a recruiting scandal. (TO disgruntled Royals fans: New Times used the 'S' word. I should at least get one freebie.)

The Royals girls have already cemented a spot in the state playoffs. Coast Union nearly joined them before being tripped up at home Tuesday. The Mission Prep boys can clinch an appearance with a win tonight.

This third season could potentially go on for another week or two. So get ready for some more "Royals Flush" and "Mission Accomplished" headlines.

Can the Eagles avoid turning into pumpkins?

Ryan Glanville's still not ready to say it, but I will — and have. Cinderella.

I've been on the Arroyo Grande boys basketball coach for days asking if his at-large team fits into the glass slipper, and I'll probably keep doing it.

I bugged him about it Friday night after I heard the Eagles upset No. 1-seeded Palmdale in the CIF-Southern Section Division II-A playoffs. A couple days later, calling from my cell phone about Athlete of the Week Daniel Wrage — and only coincidentally in an insanely long holiday-weekend line at Disneyland — Cinderella came up again.

After Tuesday's 47-44 win over Moreno Valley, I couldn't resist.

"You asked me about that the other day and it was 'definitely no,' " Glanville said. "Now we're a little closer."

Arroyo Grande is living that underdog story that everyone loves. The Eagles placed fifth in the PAC 7 and only squeaked into the playoffs through the good graces of the section seeding gurus.

They won a wild card game against Channel Islands, then toppled the No. 1 seed. Now, after another win, they're in the quarterfinals hosting No. 9 Norco with as good a chance as anybody else of taking a divisional title.

But looking too far ahead can be crippling. That's probably why Glanville's not ready to call his team a Cinderella. She charmed the prince and lived happily ever after.

But Arroyo Grande's got three more balls to attend before midnight. It's alright if the Eagles are taking them one at a time.

OK, that's enough fairy tale allusions for one blog. Sorry, the Magic Kingdom really messes with your mind.

A first of Titanic proportions

Would there be a spine-tingling chill? What would the fans be like? Would I be able to find any parking?

Since the Nipomo High boys basketball team was playing in its first playoff game in school history Wednesday — and that game was at home — I was just as curious to check out the atmosphere as I was to see the action. Who knew what to expect?

In the game, Antelope Valley beat the Titans 67-56. But here's a rundown of some of the little behind-the-scenes details I observed. We'll go chronologically.

• First off, the restroom didn't seem to have any extra playoff oomph. But I only went into the one marked "Men."

• Hands freshly cleaned, I got into the gym and saw the turnout. It wasn't bad. The home stands ended up tightly filled and the crowd packed a pretty good wallop.

• Student Jasmine McNeil sang the national anthem, and it was excellent. One of the top three renditions I've heard in almost a year at The Tribune. I wondered aloud if she got the gig through some kind of "Nipomo Idol."

• The public address announcer read the obligatory CIF-Southern Section please-don't-harass-the-refs speech, but I don't think anyone was listening.

• The chants of "De-fense! (clap, clap) De-fense!" started off pretty early, and it seemed the locals were eagerly anticipating their first playoff game, too. But when the Titans made just one of their first 11 shots, it sort of took some of the enthusiasm away.

• The Nipomo cheerleaders were in the house. It was the first time I'd seen them all year. But while Antelope Valley controlled the game in the first half, a small cluster of visting moms, who traveled three-and-a-half hours to see their Antelopes, did most of the cheering.

• On a side note, Antelopes sure is an imaginitive name for a team from Antelope Valley.

• Dominque Saunders explodes for 15 points in the third quarter, and a hush falls over the AV moms. The Nipomo crowd starts chanting "Our house!"

• The Titans fans file out looking disappointed. But I'll give them a good grade. It was a fun ride and the community did well for its first playoff game. Perhaps it was a good thing the restroom was subdued.

The others

Had enough of recruiting stories? Well, it's not over yet.

Though there were three San Luis Obispo County high school football standouts who signed national letters of Intent to play in college (all at Cal Poly) on Wednesday, don't expect them to be the only locals who'll be playing on Saturdays next fall.

Widely referred to as signing day, Wednesday marked the first day of the nearly two-month long regular period within players can sign. Several others will likely make decisions before the April 1 deadline.

Here's a list of a few local guys to watch:

• T Andrew Hall, Tempeton, 6-5, 260
• RB Harrison Keller, Mission Prep, 5-11, 185
• WR Kevin Martin, San Luis Obispo, 5-10, 160
• QB Conner Reese, San Luis Obispo, 6-3, 180
• T Dylan Gross, Morro Bay, 6-6, 295
• RB Kevin Scott, Morro Bay, 5-11, 180
• LB Reade Lobdill, Arroyo Grande, 5-9, 195
• DB Matt Lynch, Arroyo Grande, 5-11, 183
• OL Garrett Rodgers, Nipomo, 6-0, 243
• P Mike Trujillo, Nipomo, 6-1, 191
• DL Joe Murell, Coast Union, 6-3, 220

Did I forget to mention anyone? Then let's hear the scoop. And who do you think will make the biggest impact in college?

I'm lovin' it... just not before a game

Let's hope no McDonald's executives are reading this blog.

Why? Because Atascadero High girls basketball standout Hannah Donaghe was presented with a certificate Tuesday by the fast food corporation for being nominated for the McDonald's All-America team.

Then she went to Subway for her pregame meal.

"You can't eat McDonalds before the game," Donaghe said. "I'll get heartburn or something."

OK, Jared. You stick to your sandwhiches. But it might cost you a spot on the team. (If any McDonald's people are reading this, I want to let you know I'm immeasurably proud that my hometown is the site of the very first McDonalds franchise.)

Seriously though, Donaghe does have an outside shot to make the All-America team. She is one of 2,500 nominees according to Greyhounds coach Paul Hill, and only 24 will make the final cut.

Even if she doesn't make it, Donaghe is a lot closer to No. 25 than she is to No. 2,500. Its not as if her parents nominated her. Hill said he got a call out of the blue from someone in North Carolina that informed him of the honor last month. Donaghe, a Stanford signee, was rated the 44th best senior prospect (23rd among guards) by scout.com before the season, and her numbers have improved from the ones she posted her junior year — the ones that earned her the rankings.

Check out her stats from this year and last year.

From here, there are several more cuts as the nomination process continues. Final teams are expected to be released in mid-to-late February, and the game will be played in Louisville, Ky., on March 28.

The Best Eats

Normally, I'll grab a bite before I head to a sporting event — mainly because snack bars at high school games tend to be a little overpriced.

If I were a parent, I wouldn't mind parting with $5s for a bag of Skittles and a slice of cold pizza. The money all goes back to girls soccer uniforms and other worthy causes.

But I'm not even married.

Still, every once in a while, I'll sample the high school cuisine if something piques my interest. And the best item I've had on the Central Coast comes from Atascadero.

The booster burritos at the gymnasium are spectacular. Picture a big flour tortilla wrapped around a heaping portion of beans, rice and your choice of meat, plus chips and salsa. They came heartily recommended and I gleefully wolfed my first one down Tuesday.

I took that $5 and lived it up.

So now, I'm a little more open to trying out some high school snack bars. Are there any other must-eats around here? Any high school venue, any time. Throw out some suggestions.

Verbal Remedies

Atascadero High's Brandon Roberts, an All-County tight end and linebacker on the Greyhounds' league championship football team, told me Tuesday he made a verbal committment to attend Cal Poly.

Since nobody else knows yet, I'll call it a Tribune/Bloggin' with Scroggin exclusive. Editors like when we write that.

Roberts had been getting recruiting attention from Pac-10 schools and was favoring Stanford before coach Walt Harris was fired and replaced by Jim Harbaugh. Last we'd spoken, he had narrowed his choices to Columbia and the Mustangs.

Roberts, 6 feet, 2 inches and 215 pounds, is currently coming off the bench for the Atascadero basketball team. Here are his football stats from this past season: 12 touchdowns (6 receiving, 5 rushing and 1 on defense), 24 receptions for 485 yards and 54 tackles on defense.

So Mustangs fans, what do you think? Can Roberts be a difference-maker at Cal Poly?

PTPers face off

I asked Nipomo's Dominique Saunders (28.4 points per game) and Atascadero's Danny Thomas (18.5 ppg), the PAC 7's two leading boys basketball scorers, to size each other up as shooters.

Not only are both the "go-to" guys of their teams. The two have similar games. Both drive the basket, hustle for putbacks down low and can just as easily step out and shoot the 3.

No strangers, here's what they said about each other after meeting on court for the first time this season, a 58-48 Greyhounds win Tuesday.

Said Thomas (on Saunders): "He's a good scorer. He scores whenever he wants, and even as kids growing up, he was the same way. He's stronger with the ball in the post and he has a quicker first step. I think I'm a better shooter than he is, but I'm not sure."

Said Saunders on Thomas: "He's quick, and he has a good first step. If he makes a move, and you don't move with him, he's around you. We both drive to the basket, but the difference with him is he plays point for his team. I'm basically on the wing."

Though personally outscored by Saunders 23-18, Thomas got the first laugh with the win Tuesday, but the two will meet again in the regular season finale Feb. 9 in Atascadero.

Watch out for the speedbumps

Losing focus is a big problem in sports. Look at the Ohio State football team.

When the matchup was first announced, nobody had the Buckeyes losing to Florida in the BCS national championship game. Then the Gators actually won 41-14 Monday.

That's what happens when everyone tells you you're the greatest uninterrupted for 50 days.

And the Atascadero High wrestling team has to be feeling like it's the best right now. The Greyhounds have soundly beaten Nipomo and Righetti, the two PAC 7 teams that have the lineups to challenge their own.

Atascadero is even riding the high of taking its own New Year's Revolution tournament, dethroning three-time defending champ Chaparral (Parker, Colo.) in the process.

"I think we've beaten the most difficult teams and we've pretty much secured the league title," Greyhounds 160-pounder Blake Willard said after Atascadero took apart the Titans 57-9 on Wednesday. "We just have to keep our heads straight."

Willard's right about it all, especially about staying motivated.

They're the front-runners, and the Greyhounds can't lose focus now. They feel like they've already won, but there are still three PAC 7 opponents looming — Pioneer Valley, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. Then comes the league finals.

Even though they seem like gimmes, wrestling is the touchiest sport. All it takes is a lazy day or two to risk failing to make weight.

"Who've we got this week? The Tigers? Oh, a little dressing on the salad this time won't matter."

BAM! — Next thing you know, the scales are tipping and you're sitting out. Some JV guy steps in, and who knows what's going to happen.

Atascadero looks to have a smooth road ahead, but sometimes the speed bumps that do the most damage to your undercarriage are the ones that don't get painted with the yellow lines.

The sport that doesn't get cancelled

The swollen clouds overhead looked like they could barely contain what had to be a great lake's worth of water up there.

And some of us at The Tribune wondered if the prep girls water polo tournament at Arroyo Grande High was going to be postponed or canceled.

"Pshht, please," I thought in my best Ozzie Guillen impression.

While sports editor Melissa Geisler offered to call ahead to make sure I wasn't driving out to A.G. for nothing, I declined and hopped in my car.

To no surprise, when I got to the Eagles' new swimming complex (which is quite nice by the way), howling wind was threatening to blow over canopies, the No. 2 graphite clouds hung menacingly ...

... and the girls were in the pool warming up.

In case you didn't know, neithern rain, nor sleet, nor snow — nothing can stop water polo.

Not even lightning canceled a game a few years ago, Arroyo Grande coach Steven Allen said. It was interrupted by a couple of 30-minute thunderstorm breaks, but 2 1/2 hours after the game started, it was in the books.

"I've seen pretty bad hail," Allen said, "going in hard where it kind of looks like snow."

And because this is how they do it in the CIF-Southern Section, the girls get it worst. They play in the winter while the boys play in the fall.

Eagles junior Erin Higginbotham acted as if the dark skies were business as usual, even calling it "perfect water polo weather." But she can't deny scampering straight from the post-game handshake over to the Arroyo Grande changing room.

"It gets pretty miserable," Atascadero coach Mitch Stafford said. "I don't know how the girls do it. Guys, it's like board shorts and sandals all season."

They play in the wind. They play in the fog. Water polo versus the hurricane? I'll take water polo.

There's gonna be a showdown

OK, this blog is about soccer — But don't click "back" yet.

Even though they're played on the same field locally, I know there's less interest in the pitch than the gridiron. Evidence: soccer ratings and attendance figures in the United States.

Also, I haven't gotten any complaints when soccer scores haven't been called in. Meanwhile, someone gets ommitted from a two-paragraph basketball roundup and it's the armageddon.

But hear me out on this one.

The PAC 7 boys soccer title may be in the balance Friday when Paso Robles (13-1-2, 2-0 PAC 7) hosts San Luis Obispo (14-2-1, 1-1 PAC 7).

The Bearcats and Tigers are off to great starts this season, and this game really makes things interesting. A Bearcats win gives them a cushy two-game lead in league play, putting pressure on San Luis Obispo and the rest of the PAC 7 to be perfect the rest of the season in hope of winning a championship.

But a Tigers win brings the Bearcats right back down to Earth, knotting them in the league standings. By Saturday, there could be a four-way tie for the PAC 7 lead and only three playoff spots to go around if San Luis Obispo pulls the minor upset.

Keep an eye on this race as it heats up.

Alright, now you can click back.

A Christmas tradition

It's right up there with Rudolph, mistletoe and decking the halls: Hannah Donaghe getting injured.

For the third season in a row, the standout senior Atascadero High girls basketball player will be missing December games because of an on-court injury.

In 2004-05, knee tendonitis sidlined her for 12 games. Last year, an ankle sprain kept her out for eight. And after banging hips with an opposing player in Friday's 52-40 win over defending league champion Righetti, Donaghe's been diagnosed with a knee strain that's expected to keep her out of somewhere between three and six games.

It's jokeworthy only because the injuries aren't extremely serious. This blog would have a decidedly more somber tone if the Stanford-bound Donaghe's career was in jeopardy.

Greyhounds coach Paul Hill was not joking when he was ejected after an altercation with Righetti coach Harold Oliviera as Donaghe lay writhing in pain in the third quarter.

Hill missed the fourth quarter and sat out Wednesday's 46-41 loss to West Bakersfield in accordance with CIF regulations.

As he returns to the bench today, he has to be concerned about the impact Donaghe's void will have on a team hoping to win its first league title in nine years.

Atascadero (9-2) is 2-0 in PAC 7 play after beating Righetti, the preseason favorite to win after returning Cal Poly signee Kristina Santiago, and Arroyo Grande, last year's second place team in the PAC 5.

But Donaghe, the leading scorer on the Central Coast with 24.2 points per game, is expected to miss one league game and might not be her usual self immediately when she returns.

By the end of the season, Donaghe could end up with a slew of Most Valuable awards and All-this-and-that honors. But the way her teammates respond while she mends up could make the Greyhounds as a title team — or break them.

Their happy New Year depends on it.

End of an era

Jon Huss doesn't have much use for the details. At least not the ones I kept asking about.

The 25-year Arroyo Grande football coach retired this week, and that's what I remember most about this past season.

What was his career record? Who was the Arroyo Grande single-game rushing record-holder and how many yards did he have? When was the last time the Eagles failed to make the playoffs?

All these questions came up somtime during the five months I've known him. Each time, Huss didn't know the answers — and each time, it didn't seem to bother him.

I kind of needed to know these things because the phrase: "Arroyo Grande hasn't made the playoffs since sometime circa the height of Hammer Time." just isn't going to cut it with the boss.

We actually do have to be 100 percent accurate in our figures.

But even though it meant a little more work on my part, it didn't bother me when Huss didn't have the answers.

The longest conversation I think we ever had was after a football practice leading up to the reguar season finale with rival San Luis Obispo when a the topic about playoff conquests of the past finished off with what a bunch of players was doing these days.

None of them were Jamie Martin. The NFL quarterback would be the easy one to keep track of. But the Average Joes who went on to be ranchers, coaches, dads.

He hadn't forgotten those details.

But since I was only around for one of the 25 years, mine can't be the best perspective. What are your favorite Huss moments?

The good luck guy?

It wasn't long after Mission Prep's impressive 69-64 boys basketball win over perennial power Crenshaw in the Royals' eighth annual version of their Christmas tournament that I realized, I've never witnessed a Mission Prep loss.

That's right. I was at Cowitz Court for two rounds of CIF-Central Section playoffs at the end of last season, and I also covered the first two rounds of the Southern California regional playoffs in San Luis Obispo. All four were Royals victories. It got eerie when Mission Prep came back from being down double-digits against a state power in my presence Friday.

But whether I'm the lucky charm, or if the Royals just have a good home-court advantage, the most important thing to remember is that it was college beat reporter Brian Milne who covered Mission Prep's loss in the Southern California regional final in Fullerton last March.

I heard Milne broke a mirror that day. Direct all complaints to him here

Today's weather calls for blog

Tribune photo by Jayson Mellom.

I've been laying low the past couple of weeks (notice the drop-off in blog posts?). But BWS — Bloggin' with Scroggin — is back for the winter season. Expect update frequencies to spike like the monster waves hitting the Central Coast right now.

Today's 15-foot westerly swell is my early take on the boys basketball picture.

While on a break from the blog, I was able to see almost every San Luis Obispo County boys team play and I've handicapped a handful of them — a la our Tribune's Top 10 high school football media poll.

Except since it's my blog, I'm the only medium that voted. But enough about me, on to the kids and the rankings.

1. Nipomo (5-1) - Led by smooth scorer Dominique Saunders (28 points per game), the veteran Titans made an early-season statement by winning Morro Bay's Ted C. Harding Invitational Tournament, beating rival Arroyo Grande for the first time in school history in the process.

2. Mission Prep (5-0) - With senior center Luis Santiago back (12 ppg), the Royals might have the best mix of talent and experience, but behind sticky-fingered junior point guard Andrew Richardson (3 steals per game), there isn't much ball-handling depth.

3. Arroyo Grande (4-2) - Point guard Lyle Parsons has poise to spare, and the Eagles have as much, if not more, height across the board than any other local team. Freshman Tanner Hinek (6 feet, 5 inches) has been a great addition spelling 6-7 center James Tringham.

4. Atascadero (4-2) - Danny Thomas (23.2 ppg) and Andrew McMillian (17.8 ppg) are combining to score 41 points per game. If any of the three others hovering between 6 and 7 step up during a given game, the Greyhounds can beat anybody in the county.

5. San Luis Obispo (5-4) - Nathan Breneman (15.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg) has emerged as one of the county's premier big men, and second-leading scorer Conner Reese (8.9 ppg) is in the top three on the team in every major statistical category aside from blocks.

Thanks for showing up

When both remaining San Luis Obispo County schools got eliminated from the CIF-Southern Section playoffs Friday, it guaranteed that none of the nine 11-man football teams within The Tribune's coverage area — and, heck, none on the Central Coast — would get further than the second round.

It's been five years since a county team has won a section title, something there was no shortage of in the 1990s, and you can count on one hand how many have been past the second round in the 2000s. It's a topic we breached on opening night, wondering if the idea of a section championship has become antiquated.

I put that question to local coaches before the season, and most of them were confident that, although against some heavy odds, Central Coast teams can still compete in the playoffs.

What do you think? They say pink is the new black. Is the second round the new finals for county teams? Is that good enough? It's certainly no slight against the local schools. Teams like Oaks Christian and Canyon Country are gunning for the first state title games. They'd beat 95 percent of the teams in the country.

Will SLO County get back in the championship mix? What will it take? Or does it even need to?

We've all done it

The end-of-the-season cry.

I saw it once again Friday night. Atascadero fell in the first round of the playoffs and on came the sprinklers.

Now, I'm not pointing this out to belittle the Greyhounds. I did it, too, back in the day. You didn't even want to see the red rings around my eyes after my last high school basketball game - and we weren't even that good (Sorry coach Sharp).

Who didn't cry after their final intersholastic sporting event? They're the weird ones.

But in the midst of that Atascadero agony, it hit me.

Consider this: With so many high school football playoff games going on this Friday, how many hundreds of kids bawled together in the throes of defeat in California alone? Or is it thousands?

Nationwide, we're certainly talking about a lot of losses, a lot of kids and a lot of salt. This past Friday might mark the biggest mass cry of any day this year.

And I'm all for it.

High school boys aren't known for sharing feelings or hugging or making themselves vulnerable. This is their one day a year where they can do it in front of thousands of people. And it's cool.

It wasn't fun to see. And an early exit wasn't the way the Greyhounds were hoping to finish off their best season in close to a decade.

But in a few years, all people will remember is that Atascadero went 9-2, won the PAC 7 title, blew out its two biggest rivals and made it to the playoffs.

The Greyhounds have far better things to cry about than most.

The All-Bloggin' Team

In a conversation with Mission Prep football coach Joe Silveira this week, the topic quickly turned to Tribune County Football Player of the Year and who the best nominees would be.

"That's who I'd go with," Silveira said after saying who he'd go with.

Not that the conversation with Joe has much to do with this blog, but it sparked an idea. People like giving input on things like Player of the Year debates and All-County teams.

Think about it. What if I asked blog readers to give out thoughts on who should be regarded as All-County performers? Could you resist from clicking that "add comments" link?

I'm guessing maybe.

But if you choose to leave some nominees, I'll read every one. When the sports department gets together in the next few weeks, we'll take everything into account.

So have at it. Who should be the All-County first-team quarterback, left tackle and safety? Or second-team punter? (Honestly, that's the toughest one to pick.)

Sorting through the scenarios

Wondering who's got the best chance to make the CIF-Southern Section football playoffs but wary of the impending Excedrin headache that goes along with dissecting the standings?

No worries. Your friendly neighborhood preps writer has done it all for you.

I spent more than a few minutes talking with athletic directors and football coaches Wednesday, trying to get a handle on the playoff scenarios.

Three teams from the PAC 7 are going and four from the Los Padres League. We won't know them all until Friday. But here's a quick guide to help you figure it out before you head to games this week.

Who's in: No matter what happens, Atascadero and San Luis Obispo have guaranteed spots in the playoffs in the PAC 7. In the LPL, Morro Bay, St. Joseph and Pioneer Valley are in. It's also official, Atascadero and St. Joseph have clinched league titles and No. 1 seeds (though San Luis Obispo can get a share of the PAC 7 crown if Paso Robles upsets Atascadero).

The final spot in the PAC 7 will go to Arroyo Grande as long as the Eagles beat San Luis Obispo on Friday. If Arroyo Grande loses and Paso Robles wins, the Bearcats will get the berth. If both teams lose, there will be a three-way tie between Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles and Righetti, and according to Lucia Mar athletic director Dwight MacDonald, Paso Robles would be in based on a low number draw at the beginning of the season.

Templeton will get an LPL spot with a win over Santa Maria, but the berth could go to Templeton even if it loses to Santa Maria today. In order for Nipomo to get in, the Titans need a Templeton loss and must beat St. Joseph, who's 6-0 in LPL play. Nipomo can also get in with a loss if Templeton falls and Morro Bay loses at Santa Ynez.

There. Hopefully, reading that was quick and painless. I'm going to go stick my head in the freezer.

Clash of the Titans... and the Eagles (fans)

Tribune photo by Aaron Lambert

Tuesday’s pivotal girls volleyball matchup between Arroyo Grande and Nipomo had he feel of something like a major college basketball game.

Two rowdy student sections were going head-to-head for dominance on and off the court. Arroyo Grande did its “Get out the game” chant. Nipomo countered with a rendition of “Mighty, mighty Titans.”

Each tried to drown out the other while employing the dirtiest looks this side of the Measure J debate.

After the game, one adult Eagles supporter actually went up to a student fan who helped lead the cheers and said, “You guys did it.”

I’d argue that the girls actually did most of “it” in Arroyo Grande’s 3-0 win, but it was a blast watching the dueling constituencies.

And as an added bonus, the Nipomo kids, who said they weren’t allowed to dress up during school, came decked out in some great Halloween costumes.

Notables were a walking refrigerator box painted like Spongebob Squarepants, a circa 1970s male tennis player complete with short shorts and a young man with a lucha libre mask. I think he was supposed to be Hijo del Santo, but I’m not sure.

But the Bloggin’ with Scroggin award for best costume went to Nipomo’s Mikie Michel.

Followed by four body-painted shirtless guys I assumed to be the Eastside Boys, Michel strutted into the gym moments before game time as rapper Lil Jon.

From the sideways cap and sunglasses to the trademark dreadlocks and golden chalice, Michel (the guy with the orange hat up there) had Lil Jon down. Kudos to Michel. Hopefully, he can wear the thing more than once.

Also, if it seems like I’m leaving out the Arroyo Grande costumers, it’s because they always dress “creatively” for volleyball matches. And other than a few girls with painted on mustaches, it was hard to tell if any of their outfits were specifically for Halloween.

If this was the precursor for what gyms will be like this winter, bring on basketball season.