Sports Editor
Central Coast Section (CCS) Playoffs have officially concluded for the Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Basketball teams at Los Gatos High School.
The boys’ team defeated Cupertino High School 84-50 in their league final with junior Nolan Koch scoring 22 points for the Wildcats. Los Gatos’s 11-1 record in league and 19-5 overall record earned the Wildcats the second overall seed in the CCS Division I tournament. Their journey for the championship began in the quarterfinals against Salinas in a home playoff game. Los Gatos advanced past Salinas with a 65-51 win. Sophomore Scotty Brennan dominated Salinas’s defense, scoring a game-high 28 points. The Wildcats progressed to the CCS semifinals against Carlmont in a neutral playoff game at Palo Alto High School.
Los Gatos edged out Carlmont 63-56 with consistent scoring from seniors Max Houghton and Tommy Ankenbrandt who scored 13 and 17 points respectively. Next on the schedule for Los Gatos was the CCS Division I final against Bellarmine College Prep (BCP) at Santa Clara High School. BCP connected successfully on multiple three-point shots in the first half, granting them a wide lead at halftime. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter when Los Gatos gained momentum and cut Bellarmine’s lead to only three, thanks to two three-pointers by Brennan. With under two minutes remaining in the game, Bellarmine made a clutch three-pointer to end the Wildcats’ comeback, as well as their hopes for a CCS Championship, but Los Gatos still advanced to the state playoffs.
Following their loss, Los Gatos faced Justin-Siena in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Boys’ Basketball Championships Division III tournament. The first quarter ended with both teams tied at 15. A strong second quarter from Justin-Siena was enough to put victory out of reach for Los Gatos. The Wildcats lost 44-63, and the boys finished their 2022-2023 season with a 21-7 record.
The Los Gatos Varsity Girls’ Basketball team concluded their regular season with a 54-26 win against Ann-Sobrato. Los Gatos advanced to the CCS Open Division Pool Play tournament. Los Gatos’ first game against Branham was a tightly contested game. Sophomore Ella Rabitz connected on three three-pointers for Los Gatos and finished with 15 points, but Los Gatos suffered a narrow defeat of 45-48. Next, Los Gatos hosted Crystal Springs Uplands, but junior Claire Galbo’s ten points were not enough to get the victory for the Wildcats who lost 25-39. Los Gatos’ final game in pool play was at Archbishop Mitty High School quickly turned into a blowout by the home team in which Los Gatos lost 27-85.
Los Gatos entered the CIF State Girls Basketball Championships Division II tournament against Marin Catholic. Nothing fell in the Wildcats’ favor in the first quarter and they trailed 5-19. Los Gatos was not able to complete a comeback and lost 32-52. Sophomore Nicole Steiner scored 14 points. Despite their playoff troubles, the Girls’ team achieved a successful season with a 21-7 record.
(Source: MaxPreps)
Categories: School Sports, Sports