The varsity girls’ basketball team defeated Gunn, 53-39, in the third game of a four-team sweep against Paly’s cross-town rivals on Friday’s post-finals quad night.

"It was really fun to beat Gunn," freshman guard/forward Rachael Pecota said. "It’s [Gunn] the game I’ve been looking forward to."

The game began in Paly’s favor, with the first points scored from a Viking in-bound pass to Pecota, who was standing unguarded right next to the basket. Gunn’s Neva Hauser retaliated with a three-pointer, and the teams traded layups and free throws throughout the period, ending 16-14 with the Titans in the lead.

"The game went well as soon as we settled down and followed our game plan," junior Paly guard/forward Anne Widera said.

The Vikings seemed to find their rhythm in the next quarter, thanks in part to aggressive play from senior co-captain guard/point Bre Clay, who was the game-high scorer at 19 points. Clay made the first basket of the second quarter thanks to an assist from sophomore forward Nicole Behr, and followed up 25 seconds later with a quick steal to drive full-court for her layup, bringing the score to 18-16.

"I thought overall we played some good defense, and I thought we did a better job taking care of the ball," Paly head coach Scott Peters said.

Senior guard Melody Gaal scored next on an assist from Clay, who soon after stole the ball from Gunn in mid-dribble and made the basket with a standing shot. Unfortunately, Behr took an accidental hit to the face mid-quarter and had to sit out for a while to recover. Senior co-captain point Ranecia Fields added her own three-point shot and a successive basket outside the key. Gunn scored only once, on a rebound more than four minutes into the period. By the end of the quarter, Paly was ahead substantially, 32-18.

With both teams’ crammed bleachers, members of the Paly band, the fully-costumed Titan mascot and each school’s varsity cheerleaders in attendance, the crowd was prone to exploding for each and every basket.

"I love when the crowd gets into [the game]," Pecota said, explaining that the spectators’ enthusiasm gets her energy up as a player.

The Titans seemed to have boosted their spirits somewhat as they entered the third with renewed energy, but trailed 42-27 by the quarter’s end.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Vikes smacked the floor with both hands in unison, rousing a huge cheer from teammates.

"We saw Wilcox do it and thought [it was cool]," Pecota said. "Every time in a game when we’re up in the fourth quarter, we get in a defensive stance, then go down and hit the floor."

With 12 points to their name in the last period, the Titans sank one more point than the Vikes, although the damage had already been done in the second quarter. Gunn completed six of nine free throws while Paly made one out of three, but Paly relied primarily on three baskets from Clay as well as another goal from Gaal.

The game closed with a dramatic goal right at the buzzer from guard/forward Katie Barich, who brought the final score to 53-39.

"We’re playing road games, so I just want to keep improving," Peters said. "We [have] to focus on playing good defense, and just slowing down and taking care of the job, and making good shots. I think we’ll do well."

According to Fields, the Vikings had been working very intensely in the practices prior to the Gunn game and had been able to concentrate on improving certain key aspects of their playing.

"We need to come out strong," Fields said. "We took for granted that Los Gatos was 0-3 and we just didn’t come out strong. We can’t underestimate teams."

Friday’s triumph followed a heartbreaking visitors’ loss last Tuesday to Los Gatos, who were 0-3 going into the game.

"We overcame a loss with Los Gatos and came back as a team," Fields said. "When we work hard in practice, it reflects in the game."

Paly is currently tied for first place in the De Anza league with Wilcox (18-2, 4-1 league), who they narrowly defeated, 40-39, on Jan. 10. The Vikes will visit Santa Clara, Homestead and Milpitas in the coming weeks before their next home game against Los Gatos at 7 p.m. on Feb. 7 in the big gym.

"We are not the hunters now, we’re the prey," Fields said. "We have to keep up intensity and teamwork."