by Dean Kahl
Finally, there's something seriously wrong with Sacred Heart Prep's girls basketball team. The Gators shot less than 50 percent from the free-throw line (five of 11) last Friday night in Sacramento. Can the end be near? Hardly. The Gators' win streak stretched to 58 as last week ended.
The recap: Domination that included a 76-44 win over St. Ignatius in a Girls Private School League game in San Francisco last Thursday; a 94-51 win over Del Campo of Fair Oaks in the first round of the Sacramento Shootout; and an 80-54 win over defending state Division IV champion Bear River in the championship game.
The result: Sacred Heart began this week with a 21-0 record. Also, there's bad news for the opposition looking to stop the streak--senior forward Shawna Franceschini, who has missed the past three weeks with an ankle injury suffered in the Mitty New Year's Classic, is expected to return this week.
One of the biggest fans of the three games that rounded out last week was senior point guard Alexis Felts, who scored 30 points against S.I. and 30 more against Bear River.
"I think those are maybe the best games we've played all season," Felts said. "Overall, I think we're more consistent this season. Last year, there were some games where we didn't play all that well and we still won. We've played well in just about every game.
"But, who knows . . . we might have one of those games where things don't go our way," Felts added.
Felts had kind words for junior forward Kobie Kennon, who continued to impress in the absence of Franceschini with 15 points and nine rebounds against S.I.; a career-high 26 points and 10 rebounds against Del Campo; and 16 points against Bear River.
"She's going crazy," Felts said.
Not to be overlooked: Junior center Jenny Circle, who averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds in the three wins.
After hosting rival Menlo School (16-2) on Tuesday, Sacred Heart hosts Immaculate Conception Academy of San Francisco on Thursday and then Sacred Heart Cathedral on Saturday at 1 p.m.
If SHP wins its three contests this week, the Gators' game at Notre Dame-Belmont next Tuesday could be a milestone moment. Sacred Heart could tie the record for Northern California's longest win streak of 62, held by Mendocino High.
After that, SHP hosts Mercy of Burlingame, then, its the "Game Of The Century (of The 1990s, anyway)" . . . the Gators traveling to Cupertino to meet Monta Vista (15-0) on Feb. 5.
Menlo wrapped up last week with a 55-44 win over Mercy of Burlingame last Thursday as the usual reliables--Cheryl Malcolm and Heather Crary-- combined for 33 points.
In the Peninsula Athletic League, M-A (9-0, 13-5) remained unbeaten as LaWanda Moorer had 23 points and Alicia Brown and Shanice Johnson combined for 29 in the Bears' 62-49 victory over visiting Woodside.
In the SCVAL De Anza Division, Paly (3-3 and 8-9) was cold from the floor (15 of 64) in losing yet another close game, 40-38 to host Saratoga.
Boys basketball
Despite sinking a season-high eight 3-point baskets, Palo Alto fell into a 21-point halftime deficit and never recovered in a 70-56 loss in an SCVAL De Anza Division game at Los Gatos on Friday.
Paly is now 3-2 in the De Anza Division (13-6 overall) as Los Gatos, Monta Vista and Milpitas are the division's tri-leaders with 4-1 records.
Senior forward David Bennion had 20 points while senior forward Vonn Sumner and sophomore guard Scooter Johnson combined for 18 points and five 3-pointers.
Paly hosts Los Altos (2-3, 9-8) tonight at 7:30 p.m. and perhaps the Vikings can find something positive out in the fact that Los Altos scored just six points in the first half against Monta Vista last Friday.
Gunn (0-5, 5-12) faces a tall order trying to snap a nine-game losing streak. The Titans host Los Gatos tonight and then play at Milpitas (4-1, 12-5) on Friday.
In the PAL, Menlo-Atherton (6-3, 9-7) did a respectable job last Friday by climbing into a four-way tie for second place with a 68-52 victory at Woodside (6-3, 12-5).
Sam Batchelder had 28 points and 11 rebounds for the Bears while Derek Monroe had 20 points and sophomore sparkplug point guard Curtis Haggins had 12 points and 10 assists.
The M-A trio was key in turning a 27-24 lead late in the second quarter into a 48-29 advantage midway through the third quarter.
M-A plays its next four games at home, beginning today with Capuchino (6-3, 10-7) and against Carlmont (2-7, 5-11) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Carlmont is coming off a 125-point effort against hapless Sequoia.
Boys soccer
The results were mixed for the locals--Paly was bumped from first place in the De Anza Division with a 1-0 loss at Monta Vista last Friday. Meanwhile, M-A (5-0-1, 9-2-1) maintained its share of first with Sequoia (5-0-1) with a 3-0 victory over Mills.
Paly (3-1-2, 11-3-3) lost its share of the lead when Monta Vista (4-0-2, 8-5-4) scored in the first five minutes of the second half. In a matchup of two of the better forwards in the section (Derrick Harris of Paly vs. Ben Pada of Monta Vista), the play of Paly senior goalkeeper Mike Dundas was a major factor through the first half.
Dundas made five strong saves in the first half, including two during the final minute before halftime. But, Dundas had no chance when a cross from the right wing was centered and headed into the lower right corner.
Although Paly pressured throughout the final 30 minutes, the best chance to tie went awry with 10 minutes to play. Steve Herasimchuk centered a pass to a wide-open Rob Tadlock in front of the cage.
Tadlock took a one-time stab at the ball, but his well-placed shot was inches off line and caromed off the base of the right post.
M-A converted its chances against Mills, scoring all three goals before halftime. Andre Camahort--playing in only his fourth match after missing nearly a full year while recovering from knee surgery--assisted on a goal by Brent Vartan then made the score 2-0 when he scored off an assist from Jonathan Stewart.
M-A made it 3-0 when Tai Kim scored off an assist from Daniel Hegg.
Senior goalkeeper Jerry Dobbs earned the shutout.
"I expected us to do well this season, but I must admit that this team has surpassed my expectations," coach Juan Camahort said.
M-A is expected to receive an offensive boost this week with the return of forward Max McCauley, who has been ineligible for the past month.
The Bears play Burlingame today and Menlo School on Friday.
Girls soccer
Paly (3-3, 5-4-1) came crashing to earth in resounding fashion, getting clubbed at home by Los Gatos last Friday by a 6-0 score.
Paly hosts Homestead today then plays nonleague matches Friday at Woodside and Saturday at home against Mountain View.
Paly's neighbor, Castilleja, fared well. Castilleja (4-0-1, 6-1-1) retained first place in the Private Schools Athletic League with a 2-1 victory over Redwood Christian last Thursday.
Goals by Melissa Lodoen and Ann Wood and the goalkeeping of Lisa Traugott were the difference for Castilleja.
In the GPSL, meanwhile, senior midfielder Sarah Sewell scored four goals as Menlo School (6-1, 7-2-3) notched a 4-1 victory over Sacred Heart Cathedral.
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