Baseball:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sport Editor

Any school would be proud to call Colton Perez their own.

After all, he excels on both the basketball court and the baseball field.

But it’s the way in which he carries himself, treats others and his diligence in the classroom that has Bonita High School, the basketball and baseball programs and his family beaming with pride.

And thanks to his character, success on the court/field, and his 4.0 GPA, Colton Perez announced on Thursday that he’ll continue his baseball and academic careers at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.

The 6-foot-4 200-pound BHS senior ended his prep career in style.

Perez and his boys won outright Palomares League championships in both sports.

He was a two-year varsity baseball starter for Ryan Marcos, and a four-year contributor for Dr. Tim Godley’s basketball program.

In spite of being a solid first baseman and hitter, one could make the argument that Perez was even more dominant on a basketball court.

And his value was never more evident than during his junior and senior seasons.

In 2022-23, Perez and another teammate were injured and missed a number of Palomares League games down the stretch, and BHS finished 3-7 in league play.

The Bearcats tied Alta Loma in fourth place, and they entered the CIF-SS Division 3A playoffs having lost six of their last seven games.

But believe it or not, Bonita entered the postseason with a lot of confidence.

Godley and BHS athletic director Darren Baumunk kept telling this reporter over the last month of the regular season that the Bearcats were getting healthy and that included the return of Colton Perez.

Bonita would defeat Indio (71-44), No. 1 seeded Paraclete (61-52) and the highlight of their playoff run had to be a quarterfinal round (59-58) victory over their rival at San Dimas.

BHS was overmatched in the semifinal round, as they fell 73-57 to the eventual champions from the San Gabriel Academy.

In addition to the semifinal run as a program, Perez made school history on December 13th at Upland.

The BHS junior set a new school record by scoring 36 points in the second half of a 71-61 victory at UHS.

Over his senior year, Perez led the Bearcats in scoring approximately 90-percent of the time.

He averaged 20 points, eight rebounds and two steals per game.

Bonita entered the final game of the 2023-24 regular season tied with Glendora atop the Palomares League standings, and they were facing a winner-take-all scenario with the visiting Tartans.

GHS would control the Bearcats through the first three-plus quarters.

BHS trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter, and they overcome a double-digit deficit with less than three minutes remaining in regulation to force overtime.

Bonita outscored Glendora, 14-8, in OT, and they earned the outright Palomares League title thanks to that 68-62 victory that left GHS and most in attendance stunned at what they had just witnessed.

Perez had just three first-half points, but he would finish with 14, including nine combined points in the fourth period and overtime.

The win and his season-long production and leadership earned Perez the title of Palomares League Most Valuable Player and all-CIF.

But don’t get it wrong, Colton Perez is also a force on a baseball field.

In the two years he started for the boys in green and white, the Bearcats went 37-13 overall.

And that included a 23-2 run in Palomares League games.

In 2023, Bonita shared the league title with Ayala, but in 2024, BHS resided alone in the Palomares League penthouse.

During his junior campaign, Perez batted .306 with 15 hits, 12 runs and five RBIs.

He had one double and drew 11 walks while manning first base.

The Bearcats thumped Arcadia, 11-2, in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.

Bonita’s season came to an end after a 5-3 setback to Mission League power, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks.

In 2024, Perez upped his offensive stats in every category, except for runs scored.

He batted .317 with 20 hits and his 12 runs matched his production in 2023.

Perez had nine RBIs, seven doubles and he drew a team-best 16 walks.

Perez had a rough stretch offensively, but his bat came alive when his team needed him most.

Of the Bearcats 14 league wins in 2024, seven were one-run victories.

The program’s season highlight had to be the 15-2 ass kicking they put on the 14th ranked team in the state, JSerra, in the first round of the D-1 playoffs.

No. 11 in the nation, and eventual D-1 runner-up, Harvard Westlake, edged BHS, 3-2 in a second-round contest.

Colton Perez is a terrific young man, and his goodness is a direct result of the guidance and unconditional love that he’s received throughout his life from his parents, Chris and Jennifer, and his unbreakable faith in God.

His 22-year-old sister Kennedy is no slouch either.

Kennedy is pursuing a Broadway career, and she’s currently working an off-Broadway production of a new musical in Manhattan called Empire.

It’s based on the construction of the Empire State Building, and it opens in July.

On a personal note, in my 25-year career, no student-athlete has thanked me more often for what I try to do for area athletes than Colton Perez.

He is one of the good guys.

To Gonzaga baseball, you’re getting one of our area’s most revered athletes from the class of 2024, and he’s going to work his butt off from day one in the hopes of making a consequential impact throughout his career in Spokane.

Lastly, I asked Perez to answer the following questions: Why did you choose Gonzaga? How did Coach Godley and Coach Marcos improve your career? What’s something you admire about your parents? What would you want your teammates to know about your time with them? And what was your favorite moment in baseball and favorite moment in basketball?

Said Colton Perez: “I chose Gonzaga because of the coaching staff who believed in me and valued me as a two-sport athlete. It is a highly respected program in the WCC and I feel like I can have a great future there. I will be majoring in Sports Business. I also love the atmosphere and campus and know I will be getting an amazing faith-based education. Both Coach Godley and Coach Marcos have helped me tremendously. They allowed me to play both sports and worked together to always do what was best for me. They taught me not only the mental and physical aspects of the game, but they also helped shape me into becoming a better man every day.

I admire my father’s work ethic. Even after working hard every day at his job. he would come throw to me in the cage every night. I appreciate that about him. Without his guidance in sports and in life, I would not be here today. My mom is my biggest fan. She always has my back no matter what. She reminds me to stay humble and kind and makes sure I’m on top of everything. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the court, or on the field, she holds me accountable.

I would like to thank my teammates from both sports for the best four years of my life. Whether it was team dinners, games, practices, or team trips, we always made memories together. My teammates are like my brothers. We accomplished a lot together. They always supported me and pushed me to become a better athlete. None of this would have happened without them. This year’s favorite basketball memory was beating Glendora in OT to win the Palomares League title. Last year’s favorite memory was hitting the game-winning free throws to beat San Dimas in the quarterfinal round playoff game. My favorite baseball memory was upsetting JSerra in the playoffs this year.”

To view a photo gallery of Colton Perez, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook

Quotable:

Bonita baseball coach, Ryan Marcos: “Colton has been a pillar of leadership and character in the baseball program at Bonita over the last four years. He always cared about the little details of his game on both sides, and he would ask questions and implement suggestions into his plan. His high level of care and commitment was contagious, and the way he practiced and played the game with intensity and passion will have a lasting positive impact. Every day when practice had concluded, he would grab the bucket and head to the batting cages where he’d spend the next hour or two hitting. He never made excuses and always wanted to work hard on the field and in the classroom as an all-Palomares League top-5 student-athlete. It takes a special person to be a standout two-sport athlete in our league and Colton made it look easy. Doors will open up for those who earn it and Colton knows how to get the job done. It’s not going to be easy, there will be many challenges ahead, but Colt understands that’s what life is all about. He will be a great asset to any organization in sports and beyond as long as he continues to keep looking up, do the right thing, and work for it every day. We are all looking forward to following Colton through college and beyond.”

Bonita basketball coach, Dr. Tim Godley: “Colton led us in points, rebounds and steals, he was All-CIF twice and the Palomares League MVP. Those results greatly contributed to our on-court success. Moreover, he was a leader in the locker room, he helped develop our younger players which contributes to his legacy in the program. More important than all that, Colton is a young man of character, dedication and hard work. As mentioned above, Colton has great personal character. He works hard and is a great young man to be around. I know he will succeed in all he puts his mind to. I think Colton will accept the challenge that college athletics offers and excel. The necessary building blocks to succeed are: Dedication, motivation, self-discipline, and character. Colton possesses all of those qualities.”

Bonita principal, Kenny Ritchie: “Colton has been a positive influence inside the classroom, on the basketball court and on the baseball diamond. He epitomizes what it means to be a Bonita Bearcat. We are very proud of him and excited that he will be playing baseball for Gonzaga next year.”

Glendora basketball coach, Gordon Hamlow: “Colton is a tremendous all-around athlete and competitor. He was a strong presence inside on the basketball court and a talented first baseman with a strong bat. Over the years having the opportunity to get to know him, he is a fine young man with a bright future.”

2023 Palomares League Baseball MVP & former teammate, Garrett Patterson: “Colton is one of the best athletes I have ever played with. The way he can be a two-way star player and not just be those words makes everyone notice him. He carries himself well, and when each season is over, he goes to the other sport like he hasn’t left. That’s what a competitor is and that’s the legacy he has made at Bonita High School.”

Bonita junior, Hunter Smith: “I’ve been playing sports with Colton ever since elementary school and he has always been a tough competitor, whether it’s a practice or a game. He is a great person and teammate and I know he’ll succeed at Gonzaga. I’m happy for him and he deserves this opportunity to keep playing baseball in college.”

Bonita senior, Josh Kim: “Colton was very competitive on and off the court. He always put the work in outside of team practices and workouts. He was also a great teammate and role model to the younger players. Colton always kept our team tight and together. He and I have been playing sports since we were toddlers. I actually met Colt through our first baseball team, and from then on, he has always had a competitive spirit. As a friend, he has always been there for me, and he’s got my back for life.”

Bonita Baseball:
2024: 19-8 overall, 14-1 in league (Palomares League outright champs)
2023: 18-5, 9-1 (co-league champs)

2024: .317, 20 hits, 12 runs, nine RBIs, seven doubles & 16 walks
2023: .306, 15 hits, 12 runs, five RBIs, one double & 11 walks

Bonita Basketball:
2022-24: 20-9 overall, 9-1 in Palomares League (league champs), 1-1 in playoffs
2022-23: 19-14, 3-7 (fifth in Palomares), 3-1 in CIF-SS playoffs (D-3A semifinal appearance)
2021-22: 9-17, 3-7 (fourth in Palomares), 0-0 in playoffs
2020-21: 12-7, 5-5 (third in Palomares), 0-1 in playoffs