Saratoga News
Cover Story
Photograph by George Sakkestad
Saratoga High's Melissa Lin (right) charges in for a shot against Lynbrook.
Hot Shot
Falcons hold on to 29-25 victory against Vikings
By Brad Wall
In a game that evolved from a shootout to a defensive scrum, it was fitting it would all come down to the game's leading rebounder shooting free throws.
Along with grabbing 13 rebounds, Alex Sclavos hit the game-clenching free throw with 21 seconds left as the Falcons (14-4, 3-1) held on to a 29-25 victory against the Vikings (14-4, 2-1) in their third match-up of the season.
"She ran into the room all excited [after the game]," said Falcons head coach Darrin Garcia. "I asked her what she was so excited about, and she told us that she promised the boys coach she would get 14 rebounds and she got 13, so she was excited to accomplish that against such a great player and a great team."
While the Falcons built a 10-point fourth quarter lead thanks to the three-point shooting of Erica Baba and Lisa Ruddy, it would be the efforts of Sclavos in the post that would make the difference in the game.
In addition to being a force on the boards, Sclavos kept Vikings star Emily Shen in check. Coming into the match-up, Shen averaged 14.5 points over her last four games. However, Sclavos and the Falcons managed to limit her to just four points.
"I believe that Emily Shen is the best player in our league, and for Alex to go in there and engage in that battle is exactly what she's capable of doing," Garcia said.
After a hot shooting start in the first quarter in which they scored 13 points in the first four, the Falcons offense stagnated, scoring only 16 points the rest of the way. Fortunately for the Falcons, the Vikings' offense was equally held in check as they scored 17 points over the last three quarters.
"The one thing that we do night in and night out is put up a good defensive performance," said Vikings head coach Jeremy Kitchen. "Our defensive effort is going to keep up in the game night in and night out."
Both teams had their lowest scoring output of the season.
With points at such a premium, Sclavos' work on the boards proved to be the difference in the game as she was able to give her team the extra possessions they needed to hold on against the Vikings.
It was an emotional game for both teams as Garcia was the Vikings head coach for the last six years and was facing a team he helped to mold.
"It's really a funny feeling for me because of the history I have with those girls," said Garcia. "I know they're such a cohesive and talented group, and I don't want to see them in tears just like I don't want to see us in tears."
After losing by seven points in their first two match-ups against the Vikings, the Falcons seemed determined to have this game end differently.
The Falcons came out on fire against the Vikings, as Baba and Ruddy hit back-to-back three-pointers as the Falcons opened the game up with a 13-2 run.
Undaunted, the Vikings would fight back behind the slashing play of Diana Lee as she scored the final six points of the first quarter.
However, that was when the scoring stopped.
"I never thought the game would be 29-25, but I'm really proud of our effort defensively. Everything we talked about we were able to do," said Garcia.
Both teams turned on the defense as they scored eight points combined in the second quarter.
While the Falcons were able to push the lead up to as many as 12 points in the third quarter thanks to some big shots by Jessica Bramlett, the Vikings finally started to make their move.
After Bramlett made a lay-up to open the scoring in the fourth quarter and push the Falcon lead to 28-18, the Vikings offense finally came to life.
Stephanie Cai scored a bucket and Shen hit two free throws to cut the lead to six. With 3:50 left in the game, Katie Yamauchi hit a three-pointer that touched every part of the rim before falling in, and all of a sudden, the Vikings were down just 28-25.
However, the Vikings weren't able to get any closer as both teams exchanged scoreless possessions before Sclavos was able to finally end the drama with her free throw.
The Falcons were led by Ruddy who scored all her nine points on three-pointers. Bramlett scored eight points and Baba scored six points on two three-pointers. Sclavos scored four points and Vanessa Guzman scored two points.
The Vikings were led by Lee, who scored eight points. Mira Stauffacher chipped in six points on two three-pointers, and Yamauchi scored five points including one three-pointer. Shen scored four points and Cai dropped in two points.
Both teams came into this match-up flying high as they both won their Wednesday night games.
The Falcons took an 18-point lead into the fourth quarter against Cupertino as they cruised to a 45-34 victory. Melissa Lin led the way with 14 points, Bramlett scored 11 points and Guzman added 10 points. Sclavos scored seven points, Sam King scored two points and Jessica Lu rounded out the scoring with one point.
Both teams have games on Jan. 17, when the Falcons will travel to Monta Vista at 6:15 p.m. and the Vikings will host Los Altos at 7 p.m. On Jan. 19, the Vikings will travel to Santa Clara to take on the Bruins at 7 p.m.
