With a 12-3 record and a seven-game win streak that included a tournament championship and a convincing non-league victory over Saratoga, the Knights were primed to end the Gators' streak.

But it was not to be. Sacred Heart jumped on TKA 18-7 in the first quarter and went on to a 49-39 triumph.

The Gators' string stretched a bit more, and the Knights now must wait until a Feb. 11 date in Atherton for another chance to knock off the perennial PSAL king.

Three Knights--J.T. Martin, Jason Linn and Jacob Monroe--scored 10 points apiece. Tim Biederman added eight and Paul Marcoux chipped in a free throw. The Knights made just four free throws on the night, seven fewer than the Gators. The Gators also bombed six three-point shots, while the Knights managed just one basket from beyond the arc.

King's bounced back three nights later with a 52-40 win over visiting Saint Lawrence Academy. Linn's 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists paced the Knights in those categories. Marcoux's offense (14 points) and Monroe's defense (five rebounds, two blocked shots, two steals) also were big reasons the Knights were able to improve to 4-1 in league and 13-4 overall.

Marcoux, a 6-foot-1 senior, was named Most Valuable Player of the 16-team VCA Holiday Tournament Dec. 28-30 in Santa Maria. The Knights won four games in three days, including dramatic victories in the semi-final and championship contests.

Marcoux's three-point bucket with 5.7 seconds remaining turned a one-point deficit into a 55-53 victory in the championship game against Nipomo.

Marcoux, who scored 76 points in the four games, was joined on the all-tournament team by Linn. The 6-foot-2 senior contributed 35 points, 44 rebounds and 16 assists during the tourney.

Fremont and Homestead, two other strong local teams, squared off on Jan. 14 with a predictable result--an outcome that wasn't decided until the final seconds. Last season the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division teams split two games, Fremont winning the first 55-50 and Homestead taking the other 57-55.

Seniors Dan Bergeron (19 points) and Giovanni Conner (17) paced the Firebirds, who led 27-19 at halftime then held on to win 55-54. Lance Turner added nine points, Leo Janisse and Kevin Julian four each and Chris Gokey two.

Mark McLaughlin was Homestead's top point producer with 19. William Tsai had nine and David Ostrow added eight. Min Park scored six points, Alex Mrozack five, Shamir Ross four and Ryan Dedrick three.

Fremont improved to 2-1 in De Anza play and 16-2 overall, while Homestead dipped to 2-2 in league and 13-5 overall.

After a Jan. 18 game against league co-leader Palo Alto (3-0), the Mustangs will travel to Gunn on Jan. 21 for a 7:30 p.m. contest. Meanwhile, Fremont hosts Mountain View on Jan. 20, two nights after trying to give co-leader Milpitas (3-0) its first loss.

Boys soccer

Alex Plancarte sparked Homestead's 2-1 El Camino Division victory over visiting Saratoga on Jan. 14.

Plancarte, just a freshman, assisted on a goal by senior Craig Moberg, then scored the decisive goal in the second half against the Falcons.

Two days earlier, Moberg scored his team's only goal in a 1-1 tie at Cupertino.

The recent action improved Homestead's league record to 3-2-1 and 10 points (three for each win and one for each tie), three behind co-leaders Cupertino, Los Gatos and Los Altos.

To remain in the thick of the El Camino race, coach Luis Comesana's Mustangs need to avenge earlier losses to Los Gatos and Los Altos.

Fremont, directed by first-year head coach David Madrigal, found the going tough during the first round of De Anza division play. Recent losses to Palo Alto (3-2) and Lynbrook (3-1) left the Firebirds with an 0-5-1 record, heading into their match Jan. 19 against visiting Santa Clara. Fremont's line-up, stacked with underclassmen, but few seniors, is hungry for a win.

After picking up a victory (3-0 over Westmont) and two ties during seven non-league games, the Firebirds started division play in December with a 3-1 loss to Santa Clara. They recovered and battled Gunn to a scoreless tie for their only point thus far in the league standings. The Firebirds will travel to Gunn for a rematch on Jan. 21.

Fremont's other league games resulted in 2-0 setbacks to Monta Vista and Mountain View.