After a 1-8 debut, Pat Simmons's second season brought tangible progress. The Mariners nearly tripled their win total, climbing to 6-9 as players returned with a year of experience and a clearer understanding of the game. The improvement was not just in the record. Aptos was competing in games that would have been blowouts the year before, learning how to play with composure in tight situations. For a program still in its infancy, six wins felt like a breakthrough.
It was also Simmons' last. After two seasons building the program from scratch, he stepped aside — but the foundation he and Ari Melo had laid was solid enough for someone else to build on. That someone would be Paul Murtha.
Note: Complete statistics and roster information is limited for seasons prior to 2008. If you have photos, stats, or other information from this season, please contact us via Instagram @aptoslax.