The two powerful 189-pounders met twice last week, and each one nailed a close decision win. But as far as Batinich is concerned, timing is everything.

Batinich lost a 9-4 decision to Walter early in the week, but it came in a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division bout that the Wildcats won easily, 64-3.

A couple of days later, it was Batinich's turn for a win. And his timing was perfect—it came in the 189-pound championship match at the SCVAL finals.

Batinich was one of three individual champs for the Cats the league tournament held Feb. 14 at Los Altos. The Wildcats ran up 254.5 points at the meet to finish well ahead of runner-up Fremont (172).

Batinich's victory in the finals at 189 pounds could have been the sweetest win of the tournament for the Wildcats. "It was an incredibly intense match," said Downs. "It went back and forth, and there was just five seconds left when Ivan got the takedown."

The two points gave Batinich a tight 5-4 win over Walter. By finishing first and second, they have each qualified for the Central Coast Section tournament set for Feb. 21 at Independence High School in East San Jose.

"They're about as evenly matched as you can be," said Downs, "and they're two quality young men. I'm sure they're going to meet against at CCS, unless something weird happens. I'd like to see them in the finals."

Walter was the defending league champion at the weight.

Walter's effort led the Falcons to an eighth-place finish in the team standings at the league finals. Placing third for the Falcons, and also qualifying for CCS, were Spencer Sevilla at 140 pounds and Matt Chabrier at 152. Other CCS qualifiers include Alan Chen (103), Tim Usher (130), Mike Block (160), Kyle Stoffers (171) and Chris Chavez (215).

Eugene Berson of Lynbrook was third at 135 pounds, good for a CCS spot.

Falcons go for titles

The Saratoga boys and girls basketball teams both wrap up the SCVAL season this week with important games.

There is none more important that the game the Saratoga boys will play Feb. 18 at Mountain View. The Spartans enter the game in first place in the El Camino Division with a 9-1 record and the Falcons are a game back at 8-2. A Saratoga win would send the Falcons into a Feb. 20 clash with Lynbrook needing just a win to create a title tie.

The Falcons moved into position for a co-championship with a 74-54 win over Los Altos last week. Saratoga outscored the Eagles in every period but the fourth on the road to the 20-point win.

Danny Wallace led the Falcons with his biggest game of the season. The junior center canned 10 field goals and added eight points at the free-throw line to finish with 28 points.

Irving Chien supported with 12 points, hitting a three-pointer among his three field goals and adding five free throws.

David Orasin had six points, Nima Rad five, Aron Mitsunaga, Adam Sato and Matt Russell four each, Justin Kemp three and Barry Ju, David Kao and Ben Coggins two each. Kemp and Rad each popped threes.

The Saratoga girls, meanwhile, knocked off Milpitas 64-53 to remain in the hunt for the De Anza Division championship. The Falcons, 8-2 in the division and 17-5 for the year, are tied for first place with Homestead. The Falcons visit Los Gatos (3-5) on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. and Lynbrook (2-7) on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. to close out the regular season.

Bryte Nielsen tossed in 17 points, including a pair of threes, and Victoria Liu added 15 points, including two threes. Julia Anderson chipped in with 11 points and Hannah Gladwell hit 10. Tiffani Tan had a three among her six points, Amy Yee had three points and Jordana Dreyfuss had two.

Falcons in playoffs

The Saratoga girls soccer team finished the regular season with an 11-4-5 record, good for a berth in the CCS playoffs. The Falcons draw a first-round bye before opening the CCS Division II playoffs against the Sequoia-St. Francis first-round winner on Feb. 21, 4 p.m., at Milpitas.