Sports Wrap Sports Wrap (February 27, 2004)

Spartan hoopsters take first division title in 13 years

Despite the loss to the Santa Clara Bruins last Friday, the Mountain View girls' basketball team finished its season as co-champions of the El Camino Division. The last time the division crown came to Mountain View was in 1991.

"Our preseason goal was to win our division, so all in all we're happy with our season," said assistant coach Jim Quickstad. The Spartans finished 16-10 overall and 9-3 in division play.

Forward Peyton Paulick, last year's all-league player, was the leading scorer on the team. In last Friday's contest against the Bruins, she finished the night with 24 points.

Yet her teammates managed to score only 19 more points, eventually losing to the Bruins 45-43.

The Spartans were scheduled to play Sequoia (17-11, overall) on Tuesday in the first round of the CCS playoffs.

MV boys take division after road win

Three points served as the deciding factor in Mountain View and Saratoga's fight for the El Camino Division boys' basketball crown. Mountain View finished on top in the close battle, defeating Saratoga 53-50 on the road.

The Spartans led in scoring in the first three quarters and sunk 14 points in each of those quarters. Saratoga then outscored the Spartans 14-11 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough. With the win, Mountain View's record is 19-5 overall and 10-1 league.

Mountain View was later defeated by Santa Clara 53-41 last Friday. The Spartans are scheduled to play a first-round CCS playoff game at Branham on Thursday, Feb. 26.
St. Francis girls fall to Presentation

The St. Francis girls' basketball team lost to Presentation on Feb. 17 while being outscored in every quarter. The Lancers kept up with Presentation for the first three quarters.

However, in the fourth quarter, Presentation showed why it was 17-9 overall and held St. Francis to only five points. The 37-49 loss moved St. Francis to 10-17 overall. St. Francis boys eliminated

With a 59-42 loss to St. Ignatius in the first round, the St. Francis boys' basketball team was eliminated from the West Catholic playoffs. The Lancers failed to keep up with St. Ignatius' offense in the second quarter, where they were held to only six points, and in the fourth quarter.

St. Francis ended its season 10-17 overall and 4-11 league.
MV girls' momentum runs out

After bringing home the El Camino Division crown, the Mountain View girls' soccer team suffered a dramatic 2-1 overtime loss Feb. 18 against Santa Teresa.

Both teams scored a goal in the first half, with Mountain View's goal coming from Heather Anderson. But then tight defenses took over and no one was able to score again until the second overtime, when Santa Teresa's Jasmine Stephens kicked in the winning goal.

The Spartans ended the season with a 14-2-2 record and next season will play in the more competitive De Anza Division for the first time in seven years.
LA playoffs end too

The Los Altos girls' soccer team, in the first round of CCS playoffs, would not go down without a fight -- it took four overtime periods before Burlingame ended the game, winning 2-1.

"If you don't put it in, the other team will," said Los Altos coach Roberto Magellan following the game.

The Eagles outshot Burlingame 25-8 in the match, yet Burlingame's goal four minutes into the fourth period of overtime sent the Eagles packing.

"We spent the game keeping possession, passing and shooting, while they kept on kicking, running and hoping for the best," said Magellan. "And the best happened, unfortunately to the much weaker squad."

Sophomore Jacquie D'Innocenti scored the only Eagle goal in the game when Burlingame goalkeeper Blythe Davis deflected a Jessica Whalen shot.

Despite the loss, the Eagles had a strong enough season to be promoted to the SCVAL De Anza Division. In addition, Joan Danver was named the SCVAL Defensive MVP and Sarah Nolet was honored with the SCVAL Freshman of the Year award.

"I'm very proud of all the girls who were focused throughout the season, practicing hard, day in and day out," said Magellan. "Next year we'll be a more mature team, having learned such a tough lesson."
MV boys lose in first round of playoffs

The Mountain View boys' soccer team had a chance to advance to the second round of the CCS playoffs, but St. Ignatius scored on two penalty kicks to win 2-1.

The Spartans ended their season 10-6-5 overall.
-- Reza Kazempour

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