Saratoga News

Photograph by Grant Wernick

Saratoga's Luke Weger chases after the basketball in CCS playoff action against Los Gatos. The Falcons beat the Wildcats by one and knocked off Seaside, but lost to Capuchino to fall out the playoffs.

Falcons win a pair at CCS

Saratoga girls lose in opening round

By Dick Sparrer

The final seconds were ticking away as Mike McSweeney hustled the ball up the court.

The Los Gatos senior let loose with a three-point attempt with just four seconds remaining. The shot drew only iron, but Jonathan Groff was there to snag the rebound and push the ball back up for two.

Still, it wasn't enough for the Wildcats. They lost a 49-48 heartbreaker to Saratoga in the first round of the Central Coast Section Division III playoffs. It was a disappointing finish for the Wildcats, who went home with a 13-15 season record after the loss.

But it was only the beginning for the Falcons.

Saratoga went on to beat Seaside 62-58 a game later to advance to the CCS quarterfinals. But that's as far as the Falcons could get, losing 68-49 to Capuchino a game short of the semi's.

Despite the loss, it was quite a year for the Falcons, who ended up 17-11 for the year and advanced farther in the CCS play-offs than they have in recent memory.

It all started with the thrilling win over Los Gatos in the first round.

Saratoga trailed inside the final minute, but Mike Black's layup and Micah Weger's free throws helped the Falcons overcome the deficit and pushed them in front by three.

The Cats had one final chance to tie it on McSweeney's attempted three with four seconds left. But the shot missed its mark, and Groff's follow shot could only cut the lead to one as time ran out.

Black finished with 12 points, including a pair of threes, to lead Saratoga to the win. Luke Weger supported with 11 points, including two threes, and Geoff Lamotte had eight points, including a three. M. Weger finished with six points, Corey Schwaderer four and Matt Garrapolo, Ryan Anderson, Matt McKenna and Oliver L'Abbe two each.

L. Weger came back with 15 points and Black had 14 in the 62-58 win over Seaside a game later. Lamotte joined the two in double digits with 12 points as the three players combined for nine three-pointers--four for Lamotte, three for Weger and two for Black.

L'Abbe had a big night with 10 points and M. Weger was close behind with nine points. Anderson added two points.

Black poured in 17 points, but Saratoga lost a tough 68-49 decision to Capuchino to fall out of the playoffs. M. Weger supported with 12 points and L. Weger added 10. M. Weger had two three-pointers and L. Weger and Black had one each.

L'Abbe came through with five points, Jack Chaing three, Anderson two and Schwaderer one.

The Saratoga girls, meanwhile, lost their playoff opener 60-36 to Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The Falcons, who finished the year with a solid 18-6 record, were led by Karin Bencala, who had nine points. Clancy Roberts and Jenn Chan hit eight points apiece, Nicole LaMore had six, Robyn Katzman dropped four and Allison Zisko added two.

Saratoga, champs in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League, were outscored in every period by Sacred Heart.

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