By: Sam Gruetter

Sports Editor

After making it to the second round of their CCS open division last year, the LGHS Girls Varsity basketball team plans to go further this season. So far, the team won 53-16 against Prospect, 63-42 against Leland, and 44-30 to Branham at Branham, solidifying their reputation as a strong opponent and setting up for a promising season.

Sophomore and forward Hanna Behnami described the positive, uplifting community of the team, saying, “It’s a really good program where girls can strive to be their best and improve with the support of others.” Many of the other girls on the team, such as sophomores Lola Cuevas and Rita Zhou, share this sentiment and agree on the positive environment the players, coaches, and captains cultivate on and off the court. The team is experiencing many changes this year, especially after saying goodbye to the graduating Casey Brennan, Hannah Slover, and Keira Dodd. Led this year by captains Ashley Childers, Nicole Steiner, Claire Galbo and coach Sara Giles, the team has high hopes for the upcoming season. 

Last year, Girls Varsity Basketball won three games and lost none in the open division of CCS, winning a league title. However, they lost in the first round of the playoffs by a few points to Branham. The team redeemed themselves in their most recent game on Dec. 5 against Branham when the girls pulled through with a decisive win, setting the tone for their later successes this season. Steiner, Childers, and Cuevas contributed to the team’s five game winning streak. 

Junior Lucy Panicacci described her expectations for the upcoming season: “Our last season went really well and we went undefeated in our league, so we are really excited for this upcoming season. So far, our pre-season games have gone well and we are looking really strong as a team early on.”

The boys season is looking just as promising as the girls. Varsity lost to Menlo Atherton on Wednesday, Nov. 22, with a score of 43-57, but won against Hillsdale High School on the following Wednesday 56-45. They then beat Lowell on Dec. 1 by 15 points, Jefferson High School on Dec. 2 with a score of 52-49, and Christopher High School on Dec. 5 by 14 points, 60-46.

In early December, the team hosted the Los Gatos Lions Club Wildcat Shootout tournament where they placed second out of the eight teams, a performance that set a positive tone for their season. Sophomore Will Campbell said, “This season we have faced far more challenges than last season, but that’s why we play sports, to overcome and persevere through said challenges.”

Both of the teams dominated their first tournaments. If you go see a game this season, they won’t disappoint!