That was the year that the Pioneers had last won a league championship--in the old De Anza Athletic League. And, when they outscored Saratoga 14-7 in the final period of the final game of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division season last week, the Pioneers had much more than a 39-36 victory.

The decisive fourth quarter put the Pioneers next to Saratoga, atop the El Camino standings with a 10-2 record. Although they had to share the Pioneers were league champions once again.

Seniors Greg Thacker (12 points) and John Hiley (11) combined for more than half of the Cupertino points, but it was the defense of another senior--Alonzo Fitz--that provided the biggest spark. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound center truly gave Falcon shooters fits, blocking eight shots and forcing a few others to be altered. Fitz also grabbed eight rebounds.

Junior guard Ehson Mortezaie contributed nine points and three steals. Junior David Warren scored five and Fitz added a basket for the Pioneers, who lost the first meeting with Saratoga in double overtime.

As a co-champion and with an overall record of 20-7, Cupertino moves into the Central Coast Section Division II playoffs on Feb. 23, 7 p.m., at Sequoia (22-6).

Also qualified for the Division II boys tourney is Homestead. The Mustangs (16-10) will host Aragon (13-11) on Feb. 23, 7 p.m.

Lynbrook and Homestead both qualified for the girls Division II playoffs when they finished 6-6 in De Anza play. The Vikings earned a higher seed because of their overall record of 19-9.