The Mustangs were hit from all sides by Milpitas sharpshooter Erik Rush, who finished with 25 points. Although Rush nailed nine baskets, three from beyond the three-point arc, and four foul shots, Homestead outscored the host Trojans in each period and claimed a 48-42 victory.

Junior David Ostrow and seniors Mark McLaughlin and Alex Mrozack scored 10 points each to pace the Mustangs' third league win in seven games. Milpitas dropped to 4-3 in De Anza Division play and lost ground to second-place Fremont and unbeaten league leader Palo Alto.

Homestead's superior size ultimately wore down Milpitas. William Tsai, a 6-foot-5 junior, added seven points for the Mustangs. Sam Kridl, a 6-foot-8 junior, and 6-foot-6 sophomore Ryan Dedrick both had four points and Min Park added three.

Meanwhile, Fremont raised its record to 5-1 in the De Anza Division and 18-2 overall with a 56-54 triumph over Los Gatos. Fremont jumped out to a 15-9 lead in the first quarter, but never could pull away from the Wildcats.

Dan Bergeron (17 points), Lance Turner (16) and Giovanni Conner (14) all scored in double digits to lead Fremont scorers. Chris Gokey added seven points and Allen Castillo netted two.

The Firebirds were set for a big showdown with unbeaten Palo Alto on Jan. 29 and a home game against Gunn on Feb. 1, before traveling to Homestead on Feb. 3 for a 7 p.m. contest.

The King's Academy improved its Private Schools Athletic League record to 6-2 with a 67-46 triumph over Valley Christian of Dublin on Jan. 28.

The Knights jumped out to a 39-2 halftime lead then cruised to their 15th victory out of 20 games. Tim Biederman led all scorers with 19 points and Jason Linn had 15. Paul Marcoux had 10 and J.T. Martin put in nine.

Girls basketball

Homestead recently won consecutive games for the first time this season, stringing together three wins before losing a tough 52-51 De Anza division contest at Milpitas on Jan. 28. Sophomores Kate Mower and Cheryl Ichikawa scored 16 points apiece for the Mustangs whose league record dipped to 4-3.

The highlight of the three-game streak was a 50-48 decision over Palo Alto, which was sandwiched between wins over Lynbrook and Gunn. Ichikawa (17) and Mower (15) also were the top scorers in that game.

Fremont won two El Camino games last week, improving to 5-2. Sophomores Carol Hoang (16 points, five assists) and Alison Bushnell (eight points, 12 rebounds) sparked a 41-32 win over Cupertino on Jan. 29. Earlier in the week, Hoang scored 15 points to go with seven assists and seven steals during a 51-30 triumph at Los Altos. Bushnell was the rebounding leader with 10 caroms, and junior Marissa Cabana scored 13 points.

The King's Academy, paced by 20 points from 6-foot-2 senior Melissa Junge, dumped Valley Christian of Dublin, 76-57, in a PSAL game. Lisa Walker poured in 19 points and Taylor Scott added 16 for the Knights, who improved their league mark to 4-1, just behind pacesetter Pinewood's 6-0 slate.

Wrestling

With five wrestlers claiming individual titles, Fremont captured the team crown at the Overfelt Classic in San Jose on Jan. 22. The Firebirds racked up 175 points, 42 more than runner-up Gilroy. Cupertino finished 15th and Monta Vista 18th in the event.

Novachkov (105 pounds), Filip Novachkov (121), Kurtis Ogasawara (142), Greg Crane (154) and Tommie Staats (191) all claimed first-place medals. Mike Alpers was sixth at 147.

Boris Novachkov was named Most Outstanding Wrestler for the lower weight classes (105-132 pounds).

The Novachkov brothers and Crane placed at the prestigious 80-team Five Counties Invitational on Jan. 14­15 at Fountain Valley High in Orange County.

Filip Novachkov was the top Firebird finisher, earning second place in the 112-pound class. After a first-round bye, Filip won four straight bouts before falling to Brian Moreno of Foothill, 8-3, in the championship match.

Crane put together a 7-2 record in the 152 class and placed fourth, while Boris Novachkov won three of five 103-pound bouts to earn eighth.

Boys soccer

Mazuki Hamada scored four goals and an assist, leading Monta Vista to a 5-1 win over Fremont in a De Anza Division boys soccer game on Jan. 25.

Homestead improved its El Camino record to 5-3-1 with a 2-1 win over Los Altos. Freshman Alex Plancarte and senior Craig Moberg both scored in the second half for the Mustangs. Jason Anthony and Julio Castillo had assists.

With 16 points and three games to play, Homestead trails co-leaders Cupertino and Los Altos by three points. Cupertino, which scored a pair of 2-1 wins against Wilcox last week, hosts a showdown with Los Altos on Feb. 2.

Girls soccer

Junior Claire Gill and sophomores Megan Ting and Faith Tucker all scored goals as The King's Academy stayed unbeaten in league play with a 3-2 win over Redwood Christian of Castro Valley.

Another sophomore, Lauren Carr, had two assists for the Knights, who are 4-0 in PSAL play and 11-2-3 overall.