It’s always challenging to come up with a top 10. Some fabulous achievements are always left on the cutting room floor.
But here we go. Here are some of the events and people who raised the bar for future athletes to reach and surpass.
  
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Success on the basketball courts
After a three-year absence, the Half Moon Bay High School boys’ basketball team returned to the Central Coast Section playoffs. Participating in Division IV, Half Moon Bay knocked off James Lick, 59-48, before falling to Santa Cruz, 44-38. The girls’ team was also in the CCS. The girls finished third in the Peninsula Athletic League South Division, qualifying for the PAL Tournament for the first time since 2004.
9.
The boys of summer win
The Half Moon Bay 10- and 11-year-old Little League All-Star team claimed the District 52 title again. There was no drama in the title game as Half Moon Bay defeated San Carlos, 11-0. Half Moon Bay went to the finals of the Section 3 Tournament, where it fell to Danville, 8-7.
8.
Football team goes 7-3
Half Moon Bay High School turned in one of its best seasons since winning the Central Coast Section title in 2005, going 7-3 and finishing second in the Peninsula Athletic League Oceana Division “B.” The Cougars picked up their first win ever against Burlingame, 26-10. Half Moon Bay’s most impressive win was a 47-14 decision over Carlmont. The Cougars outscored the Scots 33-7 in the second half with Nik France and Dominic Sena each rushing for more than 200 yards.
7.
Co-league title for girls’ tennis team
Featuring a team replete with seniors, Half Moon Bay shared the Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division tennis title.
The Cougars clinched the co-title on the league’s final day, getting a 4-3 win over Terra Nova. No. 4 singles player Sarah Knight clinched the Cougars’ win by winning her match in three sets.
6.
Softball team shares title
Going into the 2008 season, Half Moon Bay had not beaten Carlmont in a softball game since 2001. That was also the last time Half Moon Bay won the PAL title. But both happened this year. The Cougars split their season series with Carlmont, with both teams sharing the title.
5.
Baseball team shares title
With four seniors and a ton of juniors, the expectation was that Half Moon Bay’s baseball season would end on the PAL’s final day. However, the team succeeded in finishing in a three-way tie for first, sharing the title with Carlmont and Terra Nova.
4.
Pescadero teams make it to section
Pescadero High School’s volleyball and softball teams would have their respective seasons end in the league playoffs. But this year, but teams went a bit further. For the first time in school history, both teams qualified for the North Coast Section playoffs. Both were eliminated for the playoffs in the first round, but being there was something special.
3.
Learned third in CCS
Corwin Learned had punched his ticket to the state Wrestling Tournament. But finishing third at the CCS Tournament means something. Learned rallied in the third round to defeat Bacilio Monterroso of Lincoln 5-4 to earn third place.
2.
Irish second in CCS
Lauren Irish had a successful track season in her freshman year of 2007, winning frosh-soph league titles in the 200 and 400 meters. Moved up to varsity, she won the league title in the 400, finished second at CCS, and qualified for the state meet, missing advancing to the finals by one spot.
1.
Hamilton takes CCS again
For the second time in three years, Sammy Hamilton claimed the Central Coast Section Division IV title in cross country. She dominated the race, winning by 24 seconds. At the CCS track final, she set a personal best in the 1,600 minutes, finishing 5 minutes, 4.17 seconds.
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