The biggest move in the off-season concerning the Los Gatos High School athletics program is one that didn’t happen.
When Brent Brennan—Scotty Brennan’s father—left San Jose State University to take the University of Arizona football head coaching position last January, the question suddenly turned to whether or not Scotty would be moving to Tucson or staying in Los Gatos to finish his senior year.
Much to the delight of Scotty and the Los Gatos High sports community, the Brennans chose to keep their home in Los Gatos, so Scotty could finish high school here.
Brennan is one of the key reasons the Wildcats are the favorites to win a fourth consecutive Santa Clara Valley Athletic League championship. He recently capped a stellar season as the starting quarterback for the football team, which finished 10-3 and reached the Central Coast Section Division I championship game.
Just five days later, Brennan scored 22 points to lead the boys basketball team to a 66-47 win over Aragon High in the opening round of the Blue and Gold Tournament at Jefferson High. Two days later, Brennan poured in 25 points on an ultra-efficient 10-of-13 shooting in a 68-60 victory over San Francisco University High School.
Los Gatos entered the week at 4-0, fresh off a resounding 54-33 win over Jefferson High in the Blue and Gold Tournament championship game on Dec. 7.
A 6-foot-4, 175-pound wing, Brennan is one of the top returning players in the CCS, coming off a season in which he helped lead the Wildcats to a Division I title.
Simply put, Brennan can do it all: shoot, rebound, defend, get to the rim off dribble penetration and create scoring opportunities for teammates.
However, it’s Brennan’s intangibles that make him the ultimate athlete and teammate.
“Scotty is a great player, but more importantly, he’s a great kid,” Wildcats coach Nick Ward said. “He has such a positive impact as a person and friend. Had they moved—which would’ve been understandable—it would’ve been a huge blow. So we’re obviously excited to have him for his senior season.”
Ward isn’t surprised Brennan has made a seamless transition from the gridiron to the hardwood.
“He’s hit the ground running, and it looks like he didn’t miss a beat coming off last season,” Ward said. “But he knows—and we all know—we’re just getting started. And we’re excited to see him lead this group.”
Osha Moloney, another standout senior returner, had 14 points in the University game. A 6-2, 185-pounder who can play either guard position, Moloney has improved every year and plans to make his fourth and final season on the varsity squad his best one yet.
“I feel like each year Osha has taken that next step, and gotten better and better,” Ward said. “He’s another senior taking on that leadership role, and he’s been great the first month of the season.”
Moloney shot 45 percent from 3-point range last season and excels in all facets of the game.
“Osha’s skillset is unmatched,” Ward said. “He plays with great confidence and has the ability to make plays for himself and others. His work ethic is among the best on the team, and it shows in games. He plays extremely hard and his ballhandling is tremendous.”
Like Moloney, Anthony Martin is a returning senior point guard/shooting guard who has the ability to knock down a flurry of 3-point shots on a moment’s notice. Martin shot a team-best 46 percent from 3-point range a year ago.
“Anthony is another one of our leaders and is playing with a greater confidence level,” Ward said. “He’s applying all-out effort on both ends of the floor and continues to be a really good player for us.”
After missing the entire 2023-2024 season due to injury, senior Ethan Oppenheimer has already made his presence felt early in the 2024-2025 campaign. The 6-5, 220-pound center provides a physical presence in the paint, plays tough defense, can be dominant on the glass and knows how to score from close range.
“Ethan’s footwork around the rim has really improved from a couple of years ago,” Ward said. “He has a high motor, both offensively and defensively, and it’s really exciting to get him back on the floor. When he was with us in the summertime, we really got to see what he could become. And he’s been great for us so far.”
Zach Otoupal and Owen Panu are key returners who provide athleticism and hard-nosed play.
“We’re expecting a lot out of Zach, and Owen is all over the floor all the time,” Ward said. “We have a good mix of returning guys, as well as some guys from the JV team we’re excited about.”
That latter group includes sophomore Blake Mordaunt and junior Will Campbell. Mordaunt possesses the ability to hit shots from well beyond the arc, and Campbell had 12 rebounds in a season-opening win over Evergreen Valley High on Nov. 27.
The Wildcats have been buoyed by the return of senior post Leo Cocchiglia, a football standout who is back on the court for the first time since his freshman year.
“Leo wanted to finish his high school career on the basketball court again,” Ward said. “We’re excited to have another big body around and see if he can get that touch back he had in his freshman year. For a guy of Leo’s size (6-5, 250), he moves incredibly well. He’s able to move and slide his feet against smaller players.”
Cocchiglia is one of six players off the football team who have traded in their pads for a tanktop and shorts, giving an instant boost to the basketball squad.
“They bring such a different dynamic to the court,” Ward said. “There’s a toughness, obviously, and then there’s the size aspect. The guys are coming together, and we’re starting to see who we can really be—and put together something special.”
