Antelope Valley Sports: Pro, Semi-Pro, Amateur

California's Antelope Valley is not known for its sports teams, professional or otherwise. However, for fans of live sports who would like to get out and see a game and for any AV residents looking for something to brag about regarding the Antelope Valley, there are a surprising number of sports options.

With one minor-league baseball team, one semi-pro soccer club, a top ranked collegiate basketball team and a CIF champion football team, Lancaster and the greater the Antelope Valley have some teams to watch.

(Links have been provided for team pages in the hopes that the more people know about these teams, the more people will get out to see them in action.)

The JetHawks

The Antelope Valley's most prominent sports team has a very modern stadium visible from the 14 Freeway. A minor-league baseball team affiliated with the Houston Astros, the Lancaster JetHawks offer fans a chance to catch a summer game at a good price without leaving the Antelope Valley.

Tickets start at $6.

The Rattlers

The Rattlers are a club soccer team that has called the Antelope Valley home for a number of years. Though the team has struggled to find consistent coaching and even places to play, the Rattlers offer a unique opportunity for soccer talents to find their way onto the playing field in a semi-professional environment.

Since 2006, this development league Antelope Valley semi-professional soccer team has had many ups and downs, yet the Rattlers are still here, still kicking the ball around.

Tickets for home games are $5.

Antelope Valley College

Flying below the radar, the AVC men's basketball team has achieved a level of excellence unexpected for a team without much of a reputation. In a recent ranking, the AVC men's basketball squad was named as the number one California basketball team in NCAA division III.

The AVC Marauders also field a high-caliber fast-pitch softball team, taking third place in state competition in 2006 and fifth place in 2007 and winning the Foothill Conference every year since 2005.

Paraclete High School

Paraclete is a private Christian K-12 school with a fantastic high school football team. Coming close to a CIF championship in 2009, Paraclete made it all the way in 2010 and took the crown as CIF high school football champs.

If you know about more successful Antelope Valley sports teams or Antelope Valley sports teams that deserve recognition write in with comments and info.