PALO ALTO – Los Gatos came out on top Tuesday night, in a battle of two defensive-minded teams, defeating host Palo Alto 48-34 to capture the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division boys basketball championship.
A significant achievement as both coaches in postgame interviews had plenty to say about what a grind playing in the De Anza Division was, and how it was the best public-school league in the Central Coast Section.
“Winning this league is harder than CCS,” Los Gatos coach Nick Ward said. “In CCS you can get hot at the right time, get some favorable matchups, win three games, you’re a CCS champion. Winning this league, you go eight weeks, 12 games against the deepest public-school league in the area. Proud of these guys because this is what we want every year. CCS is just icing on the cake. We’re excited. This is the one we wanted.”
Los Gatos head coach Nick Ward, center, gives instructions to his players against Palo Alto High before the start of the second quarter of a Santa Clara Valley De Anza League basketball game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
There was a good deal of anticipation for this matchup as the two teams went into the game with identical records, tied atop the De Anza standings. But the intense defense both teams played had a wholesale negative impact on anything remotely resembling an offensive flow. After a first quarter that concluded 6-6, Los Gatos managed to score 10 points in the second quarter while holding Palo Alto to two. Thus the score at halftime was 16-8.
“We didn’t execute at all in the first half,” Palo Alto coach Jeff LaMere said. “We didn’t cut hard, we didn’t see what was open. We made some adjustments, hit some shots in the second half, but it wasn’t enough because we were too far behind and we couldn’t get stops.”
Los Gatos’ Anthony Martin (21) is fouled by Palo Alto’s Tyler Wong (2) during a Santa Clara Valley De Anza League basketball game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Los Gatos opened it up in the third quarter, taking a 24-10 lead after back-to-back 3-pointers by Ronan Chinmulgund and Anthony Martin. Palo Alto (17-7. 8-4) drew within eight at 26-18, but that was as close as it would get.
Martin scored a game-high 13 points for Los Gatos. Scotty Brennan and Osha Moloney had 10 apiece. Chinmulgund had eight and Nolan Koch, the team’s leading scorer on the season, was double-teamed when he got the ball down low, and scored seven.
Jorell Clark led Palo Alto with 11 points and eight rebounds. The 6-3 Brennan drew the defensive assignment against Clark.
Related Articles
NCS basketball playoffs 2024: Tuesday’s top storylines, surprises, game recaps
High school basketball: How Mitty is getting better despite injuries to key players
NCS basketball playoffs 2024: Tuesday’s results, updated matchups
High school boys basketball rankings Feb. 13, 2024: Bay Area News Group Top 20
High school girls basketball rankings Feb. 13, 2024: Bay Area News Group Top 20
“We needed some length, Jorell’s such a hard guard,” Ward said. “Scotty usually gets the toughest assignment on the other team. He’s so long, he can change so much with that length.”
With the CCS seeding meeting Wednesday, both teams will most likely be included in the Division I bracket. But LaMere, after the game, said he thought Los Gatos was an Open team.
“I hear that, it’s nice to be in that conversation, but if you have a couple of hiccups you’re not an Open team,” Ward said. “If you’re a public-school team you’ve got to run the table or be 11-1. I think we’ll be Division I, one of the top four seeds.”
Los Gatos bench and students cheer against Palo Alto High during a Santa Clara Valley De Anza League basketball game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Los Gatos bench and students cheer after the Wildcats scored against Palo Alto High during a Santa Clara Valley De Anza League basketball game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
A Los Gatos supporter cheers against Palo Alto High during a Santa Clara Valley De Anza League basketball game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Palo Alto students cheer after the Vikings scored against the Los Gatos High during a Santa Clara Valley De Anza League basketball game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Palo Alto’s Jorell Clark (12) collides with Los Gatos’ Max Brin (3) on his drive to the hoop during a Santa Clara Valley De Anza League basketball game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Palo Alto’s Jorell Clark (12) makes a shot against Los Gatos’ Ronan Chinmulgund (13) and Nolan G. Koch (11) during a Santa Clara Valley De Anza League basketball game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Palo Alto’s Tyler Frick (5) and his teammates follow his three-point attempt against Los Gatos High during a Santa Clara Valley De Anza League basketball game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Palo Alto head coach Jorell Clark gives instructions to his players against Los Gatos High during a Santa Clara Valley De Anza League basketball game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Palo Alto’s Aiden Hangebrauck (2) and Los Gatos’ Scotty Brennan (10) fight for a rebound during a Santa Clara Valley De Anza League basketball game in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
