Two uber talented and versatile high school athletes in Santa Cruz County were sensational for the duration of the 2024-25 boys basketball season.

Both were capable of playing all five positions on the court. Each was the top offensive threat on his team, shined on defense, and often played above the rim on transition finishes as well as in their team’s half-court offense. Both led their team to titles this season.

Aptos’ 6-foot-4 senior forward Isaiah Ackerman and Santa Cruz’s 6-6 junior forward DeMarco Hunter were named co-MVPs of the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic.

Ackerman shared MVP honors with another Cardinal, Ben Dotten, last season and was a first-team selection as sophomore in ’23.

Ackerman led the Mariners (25-6, 10-0) to their first unbeaten season in the SCCAL since 1986, the Central Coast Section III final, and the second round of the CIF NorCal Regional playoffs.He averaged 20.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and two blocks despite playing a half or less in several of the Mariners’ blowouts.

“This year, Isaiah put aside some individual accomplishments and was more concerned about what the team needed to be more successful,” Mariners coach Brian Bowyer said. “There is no doubt he could have gotten up more shots and increased his points per game, but his unselfishness absolutely played into the best record and highest ranking Aptos has had in a very long time.”

He was continually tasked with guarding the opponent’s leading scorer and consistently held that player to under his scoring average.

Ackerman, the program’s first player to receive a NCAA Division I scholarship offer while still in high school, recorded 14 double-doubles this season. He finished his prep career with more than 1,400 points.

“Isaiah is the best all-around player I have had the pleasure of coaching in my career,” Bowyer said. “His athleticism, ball handling, ability to score from all three levels and his buy-in to the defensive side of the game is unmatched in 20 years of coaching.

“On the court he absolutely gets after it, but is a great teammate and helps pull the younger players along. He has been a wonderful role model to all the upcoming players at Aptos High School.”

Hunter was a first-team selection as a sophomore last season and an honorable mention pick as a freshman in ’23.

Hunter led the Cardinals (21-12, 8-2) to the CCS D-III title after finishing in second place in league, and reached the final in the CIF NorCal Regional playoffs for a second straight season. The Cardinals’ section crown was their first in 10 years.

Hunter, who received his first NCAA D-I offer this season, recorded a whopping 30 double-doubles in 33 games. He averaged 25.5 points, 12.3 rebounds and 4.3 blocks.

In nonleague action, Hunter scored a career-high 40 points twice in wins over James Logan and AIMS College Prep at the Damian Lillard Classic in Oakland.

“He was the heartbeat of the team,” Milhouse said. “He was him. Game in and game out, I asked him to dominate on both ends of the floor, and he did it very well. He could dictate the game on both ends with his skill level and freakish athleticism.”

Hunter helped Santa Cruz reach the CIF D-III state championship game as a sophomore. He led his team in scoring in the Cardinals’ loss to Bishop Alemany.

When this past postseason rolled around, it was more the of same. Opposing teams game planned in an effort to contain him, but he still went off. He scored Santa Cruz’s first 29 points and finished with 33 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks in a win over Lincoln of San Francisco in the NorCal semifinals. In the regional final, a loss to eventual state champion Woodside Priory, he had 29 points and 15 rebounds.

Milhouse said Hunter had the greatest postseason he’s ever seen by a Cardinal.

“Since I’ve been a part of Santa Cruz High, his postseason was number one — out of this world,” his coach said. “He literally showed people that he’s unguardable. You can double him, you can triple him, it did not matter; he’s hard to guard. When it came to the playoffs, he took his game to a whole other level. And he’s only a junior.”

Retiring Aptos coach Brian Bowyer was named Coach of the Year by his peers. It was his fourth straight COY honor, though he shared the award twice shared with Milhouse during that stretch.

Bowyer led the Mariners to the CCS playoffs in all eight of his seasons at the helm, plus three NorCal playoff berths. His teams earned five league titles and helped him post a 162-75 record.

The All-SCCAL first team featured five seniors, including two repeat honorees: Scotts Valley guard Will Shilling and Soquel guard Nico Ramirez. Santa Cruz guard Mosiah Cumberbatch, Scotts Valley center Jacob Sanders, and Aptos wing Nick Tovani rounded out the first team.

Cumberbatch and Sanders, a transfer from San Lorenzo Valley in offseason, were both honorable mention selections last season.