The Los Gatos High School boys basketball team enters this week’s play at 14-4 overall and 5-1 in the SCVAL De Anza Division, a game back of first-place Milpitas—which beat the Wildcats in their first league meeting, 58-52.
The rematch is set for Jan. 30, a game that will have huge ramifications on the title race. Outside of the Milpitas loss, Los Gatos has often grinded its way to victory, combining tough defense, patience on offense and relying on senior wing Dionysis Maroudas to be a playmaker.
Maroudas has been a model of consistency and ultra-reliable, leading the team in scoring in all but one game this season. The 6-foot-3 Maroudas also ranks first on the team in steals and is shooting 47% from the field—tied for first with post Will Campbell.
Maroudas had 16 points and seven rebounds in the team’s most recent game, a 55-44 win over Monta Vista on Jan. 23. The Wildcats trailed 14-10 after the opening quarter, but outscored the Matadors 20-8 in the second quarter to seize a 30-22 lead entering halftime.
Los Gatos continued to surge coming out of the break, putting the game away with a 15-7 scoring advantage in the third quarter. Freshman Milos Grabovac had 12 points and Campbell finished with nine points and seven rebounds, including five offensive.
Zach Otoupal collected a team-high nine rebounds, continuing his strong effort on the boards. Maroudas led the team in assists for the fifth time in the last six games, noteworthy as opponents continue to focus their defense on containing him.
Girls Basketball
The Wildcats entered this week’s action at 12-5 overall and 5-1 in SCVAL De Anza Division play, tied for first in the league standings with Los Altos.
Los Gatos beat the Eagles in their first matchup, 48-35, but lost to Fremont on Jan. 7. The Wildcats get an opportunity to avenge their loss to Fremont in the second regular-season contest between the teams on Jan. 28. Their rematch with Los Altos is set for Feb. 11—a game that will likely decide the De Anza Division championship.
Girls Soccer
Los Gatos continues to stay atop the De Anza Division, entering this week’s play at 9-1-3 overall and 4-0-1 in league.
Second-place Los Altos (5-1) is right on the Wildcats’ heels, but lost the teams’ first showdown, 2-1, on Jan. 3. The rematch is set for the final day of the regular-season on Feb. 17—the outcome likely to decide the De Anza Division title winner.
Los Gatos is aiming to repeat as league champions and has been playing at a high level since the start of the season in early December. Abby Nelson has a team-high 21 goals, Isabella Cain 13 and Ale Munneke nine to spearhead the prolific Los Gatos attack.
The Wildcats have outscored their league opponents by a combined margin of 24-4, posting two shutouts along the way. Darcy Armstrong has six goals, including a crucial tally in a 2-2 draw with Palo Alto. Teagan Kaefer has 13 assists and Nelson seven. Up next is a Jan. 20 match against Mountain View.
Boys Soccer
Los Gatos entered this week’s action at 6-3-2 overall and 3-2-2 in De Anza Division play, good for fourth place in the league standings.
Max Lees continued his strong play by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Palo Alto on Jan. 15. That result followed a 2-2 draw with Homestead, a team ahead of Los Gatos in the standings. Freshman Sam Olivella and sophomore Ben Booysen had one goal each in one of the team’s best results this season.
However, the Wildcats suffered a setback with a 3-1 loss to Santa Clara—the second to last place team in the league—on Jan. 22.
