By Dick Sparrer
It's two-for-one night at Los Gatos--two Central Coast Section playoff games for the price of one.
And the best part of it is, both games feature Los Gatos teams.
The Gatos boys' and girls' basketball teams will open the CCS playoffs in a special home doubleheader on Feb. 22.
The girls open the CCS Division II playoffs in a 6 p.m. game against Santa Clara, and the boys will be on the court at 7:30 p.m. in a Division III clash with the winner of the Lick-Seaside first-round game.
Los Gatos enters the boys' tournament with a solid 18-5 season record after wrapping up the regular season with a 63-44 win over Monta Vista. The Cats were 9-3 and second in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.
"I think we've had a great year," coach Jim Marino said, looking back on the season. "We've had some kids who have really played well for us."
Los Gatos could have its hands full in the first round. Seaside enters the playoffs with momentum after winning 10 of its last 12 games. And the Spartans are only seeded as low as they are because of forfeits imposed in preseason games because of the use of ineligible players.
"They're pretty good," Marino said of Seaside, and the coach added that Westmont, Palo Alto, San Mateo, Hillsdale, Santa Cruz and Riordan could all be tough in the division.
But he said, "I think we can make some noise (in the playoffs), if we can get a little lucky."
The Wildcats didn't have much luck last week against Monta Vista. The Cats dominated the game to finish the regular season with the 63-44 victory.
Girls at home
Prior to the boys' game, the Gatos girls will take their 19-7 season record up against Santa Clara (15-6) in the first round of the CCS playoffs.
The Wildcats wrapped up the regular season last week, dropping a 45-25 decision to unbeaten Monta Vista.
Elizabeth Coughran tossed in nine points, including a three-pointer, to lead all Gatos scorers. Deva Dawson added seven points for the Cats, Nina Vinther had six, Laura Raffaelli hit two and Serena Poon had one.
Los Gatos trailed just 11-8 at the first buzzer and 21-15 at intermission, but the Matadors outscored the Wildcats 14-5 in the third period and cruised from there to the victory.
Leigh in the playoffs
Both the Leigh girls' and boys' basketball teams have advanced to postseason play and will be on the road this week.
The Leigh boys will take their 13-11 season record to Jefferson (16-10) on Feb. 22, and the Leigh girls will take their 11-14 season mark to Leland (11-13) the same night night. Both games begin at 7:30 p.m.
The Longhorn boys lost 65-44 to Andrew Hill last week to finish the regular season. Troy Marcyes poured in 13 points, including three three-pointers, to lead the Longhorns. Jeff Kakes finished with 10 points, Greg Garrison had six, Chris Karanastasis added five, Andy Nelson popped four and Brian Utsumi and Marcus Lua hit three apiece.
Katherine Zehrbach tossed in 15 points to pace the Leigh girls to a 44-29 win over Del Mar. Christina Lombardo added eight points and Lauren Griswald hit five. Lombardo came back with 12 points and Sarah Peterson hit 11 to drive Leigh to a 45-35 win over Piedmont Hills.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, February 21, 1996.
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