Make no mistake: the Los Gatos High School girls basketball team took its lumps in the non-league portion of its schedule, losing seven of 10 games.
But if the Wildcats’ performance in their Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division opener is any indication—a 61-29 win over Milpitas High on Jan. 4—they still have to be considered the odds-on favorite to win a third consecutive league championship.
“Honestly, I think we would be the front runner,” Wildcats coach Sara Quilici Giles said. “I know our record doesn’t really show it, but I really think we have a shot of three-peating. To do it a third year in a row would be magnificent.”
Quilici Giles noted the team’s strength of schedule thus far—rated the third toughest among all Central Coast Section teams according to Max Preps—as key in her assessment of the team’s play.
Even though the Wildcats’ record is far from sublime, they’ve played a Who’s Who of perennial powerhouse programs, including Pinewood, St. Ignatius, Colfax and St. Mary’s of Stockton.
“So far the record isn’t fantastic,” Quilici Giles said. “It’s definitely the most games we’ve lost in the regular-season in quite a few years. But I really feel we’re getting so much better. I’m really excited to see how much we’ve grown as we get into league play.”
Record aside, Quilici Giles has found other things to get excited about.
“We’re finding silver linings even when we’re losing games,” she said. “Our energy is good and we’re seeing signs of improvement. The girls know we’re climbing a mountain. Growth is not linear and we’re really figuring that out, which is a great life lesson.”
Led by the dynamic duo of four-year starters Ashley Childers and Nicole Steiner, LGHS has the capability to dominate teams, as it did against Milpitas. Steiner, a 6-foot-1 power forward who has signed with Cal State Fullerton, is one of the most effective post players in the CCS.
She’s a double-double machine and a dominant force on the glass. Childers, a 6-2 forward-center who has signed with Cornell, possesses the ability to knock down shots from long range and get to the basket off dribble penetration.
With their height, length and athleticism, Childers and Steiner combine to rack up several blocks and steals every game.
“Both players have improved so much every single year,” Quilici Giles said. “Nicole from a work ethic perspective and Ashley from a skill perspective. They feed off each other so well. They guard each other in practice and their on court chemistry is so great. And they’re doing a great job carrying big loads offensively and defensively for us.”
Junior point guard Lola Cuevas is the only non-senior in the starting lineup. Cuevas is the shortest player on the team but plays much bigger than her size.
“She’s got the highest basketball IQ and is really good at setting everyone else up on offense,” Quilici Giles said. “She’s constantly communicating whether she’s on the court or the bench. You’re always hearing her pumping up her teammates.”
Ella Rabitz, a senior shooting guard, has knockdown 3-point ability. In a scrimmage against St. Francis before the season started, Rabitz drained six 3-pointers, a testament to her outside marksmanship. Just as important, Quilici Giles said Rabtiz has come a long way since her freshman season.
“Her evolution has been great,” Quilici Giles said. “She didn’t play much in her freshman or sophomore year, but she stayed the course and is playing with so much confidence this year. She’s stepped up to be a great leader.”
Quilici Giles also praised the evolution in Lucy Panicacci’s game. The senior small forward is enjoying a breakthrough year, having played sparingly up until last season.
“She’s a super coachable kid and really takes criticisms and pointers and uses them to improve,” Quilici Giles said. “Right now she’s doing her job and guards the other team’s best player. She’s super dependable and can knock down the 3-pointer as well.”
The rest of the roster includes Sophie Riese, Rita Zhou, Jenna Webb, Hanna Behnami, Safiya Sleiman and Kate Langner. Despite a rough non-league slate, LGHS has talent, experience and players who know what it takes to win. No matter what happens the rest of the way, Quilici Giles is going to cherish this year’s squad.
“It’s such a special group and this is a really big one for me because three of the four starting seniors have been with me since their freshmen year,” Quilici Giles said. “They’re really doing a good job of leading by example and it shows.”
