In a high-stakes Division 1 Central Coast Section semifinal, the Palo Alto High School’s boys’ basketball team (22-4) narrowly defeated the Leigh Longhorns (16-10), 40-35, advancing the Vikings to the CCS championship match.
Viking senior Jorell Clark said he is proud of the Vikings for making it further in the season than last year.
“Last year was definitely a big motivator,” Clark said. “Taking a loss in the semifinals is something you don’t want to do. Being able to do it (advance to CCS finals) in my last year, putting all the work in and finally having it pay off is something very special to me.”
According to Viking head coach Jeff LaMere, preparation and defensive execution were critical for the team’s success.
“We defended well,” LaMere said. “We held them to 35 points. It came down to defensive rebounding, and we had some guys who made big-time plays at key moments in the game.”
The game began with a layup from Viking senior Clark, putting Palo Alto on the scoreboard early. The Vikings maintained strong defensive pressure, but Leigh responded with a three-pointer from Longhorn junior Tomi Agibola.
Palo Alto regained momentum with several key plays, including a three-pointer from Viking senior Hudson Mar and a layup and foul from Viking senior Nicholas Feitzinger. By the end of the first quarter, the Vikings led 10-6.
Longhorn head coach Joe Goydish said the Longhorns struggled with rebounds.
“We were outsized at times,” Goydish said. “The boards hurt us, rebounding hurt us some, but that’s our Achilles heel. We’re not as big, but I can’t be more proud of my guys.”
The second quarter saw Clark sinking a three-pointer, further widening the Vikings’ lead. Leigh fought back, with a steal from Longhorn senior Cooper Smith and a conversion for two points. Despite missed opportunities from both teams, Palo Alto maintained a narrow advantage, ending the first half up 21-16.
According to Viking senior Hudson Mar, staying prepared and focused made all the difference in the game’s tight moments.
“Basketball is a game of runs, and there are always going to be ups and downs,” Mar said.
Leigh turned it up a gear in the third quarter, tying the score with decisive shots from Longhorn senior Cooper Smith, and Longhorn junior Brody Le. However, Palo Alto Viking junior Jake Wang, responded with a key rebound and buzzer-beater to secure a 29-27 lead, going into the final quarter.
The final quarter saw heavy defensive plays from Leigh, but the Vikings stayed resilient and locked down on defense, holding them at 35 points. With a crucial three-pointer from Viking senior Isaiah Philips, the Vikings extended their lead.
Clark said the three-pointer from Philips, gave the team much-needed motivation to finish strong.
“We’re down to four minutes left, Isaiah Phillips had a big time three to put us up,” Clark said. “Everybody just kept fighting no matter what the score was. That helped us get the win eventually.”
With consistent scoring from Clark, Philips, and Viking sophomore Justin Fung, Palo Alto edged ahead. Longhorn junior Cade Robertson continued to challenge the Vikings with free throws and layups, but it wasn’t enough to overtake them.
According to Mar, defense and the coaching staff’s meticulous preparation played a major role in their win.
“We played such a good defensive game, and that was because of the coaches, and they really helped prepare us,” Mar said. “I think that’s what eventually led us to victory.”
With this victory, the Vikings advanced to the CCS finals, aiming for their first championship since 2020. According to LaMere, he feels confident in their ability to win the championship due to the team’s commitment and hard work.
“These players have sacrificed so much for this program, and it’s paying off,” LaMere said. “We’ve won 22 games, and we’ll see if we can get a 23rd.”
The Vikings will face the Carlmont Scots (16-10) in the CCS Division 1 championship game 7 p.m. Saturday at Palo Alto High School.
