On senior night, the Palo Alto High School Vikings (19-4) fell to the Los Gatos Wildcats (18-5), 53-48, after surrendering their lead in the fourth quarter Friday night at home.
Despite dropping to second in the De Anza League with one game left, the Vikings can still win the league if they win their next game and Milpitas.
According to Viking head coach Jeff LaMere, he is proud of the seniors.
“It’s certainly been a great group,” LaMere said. “Jorell Clark and Gavin Haase are three year varsity guys which is impressive. Jorell is a thousand point scorer which doesn’t happen very often anywhere.”
Coming into the first quarter, the Vikings gave up a lot of open shots but were still able to develop offensive plays. However, the Wildcats fired away from the perimeter, giving Los Gatos a one point lead into the second quarter.
Los Gatos excelled offensively with junior Zach Otoupal leading the way with 3-pointers that the Vikings struggled to respond to. The Wildcats extended their lead to 30-24 by the end of the first half.
LaMere said the Vikings made offensive preparations before the game.
“We tried to figure out how to attack their zone,” LaMere said. “It’s a very unique defense, so it’s not something that you’re facing a lot. And I actually thought we did okay against it.”
The Vikings gained a narrow lead in the third quarter with layups made by senior Jorell Clark. However, Los Gatos quickly regained momentum, seizing opportunities to take open shots while also making aggressive defensive plays. Despite the Vikings’ efforts including a clutch 12-point spree, the game stayed close.
According to Los Gatos head coach Nick Ward, the Wildcats made strategic adjustments during this quarter.
“Paly went on that huge run in the third, scored us 16 to 5, and we made an adjustment offensively,” Ward said.
With only two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, both teams traded points, tying the score at 47-47. In the final minute, a crucial free throw by Clark gave the Vikings the lead. However, Los Gatos answered back by taking advantage of their three free-throw opportunities, granted by the Vikings to stop the clock from running with less than a minute left, securing them the 52-48 victory.
Clark said the Vikings played with a lot of heart, but failed to deliver in the final quarter.
“Our main strategy was to focus on rebounds and intensity, and we did that,” Clark said. “We gave up a lot of threes to begin with in the first half, so if we could just close out, just not let them get as many open looks, we could have come out with a win.”
According to senior Shreyas Sashi, this game is likely the team’s last home game.
I’m sure this will be the last time we’re walking out of this locker room ready for a game,” Sashi said. “Obviously our practice is here, but it’s not the same.”
The Vikings are set to play their final league game against the Mountain View Spartans (11-12) at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Mountain View High School.
