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Outscoring visiting Los Gatos by 46-16 over the second and third periods, the Palo Alto boys' basketball team rolled to its 19th straight triumph with a 71-43 decision in SCVAL De Anza Division action Friday night.

The Vikings (11-0, 21-1), who clinched the division crown on Tuesday by beating Cupertino, celebrated Senior Day in a big way as seniors Aubrey Dawkins (20 points) and Aldis Petriceks (15) led the way.

Senior Scotty Peery drained four 3-pointers for 12 points as Paly continued its outstanding season, surpassed only by the undefeated 1993 state championship team and matched only by the 2006 state title-winning squad.

In the SCVAL El Camino Division, Gunn grabbed a 20-point first-quarter lead and , the Gunn snapped a four-game losing streak with a 70-42 romp over visiting Lynbrook. Chris Russell made five 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 21 points for the Titans (2-8, 5-15) while teammate Patrick Skelly added 13 points.

In the West Bay Athletic League, host Menlo School employed a steady defense in the second half to break open a tight game in the fourth quarter and post a 56-43 victory over Pinewood.

The Knights' defense led to transition layups after the half and junior guard Bobby Roth hit some timely baskets. His backcourt mate, Peter Bouret, covered the floor, reeling in nine steals and collecting six assists. Menlo remains in first place at 11-1 with two games remaining.

Roth and Ryan Young each scored 15 points for the Knights, who with a win on Tuesday over visiting Eastside Prep, can secure a share if the league title -- Menlo's first WBAL crown since 2009. Young added seven rebounds and three blocks for the Knights while Roth and Heneghan each grabbed six rebounds.

Also in Atherton, Sacred Heart Prep got 17 points from Corbin Koch in a 66-22 romp over Crystal Springs. The Gators improved to 10-2 in league (14-8 overall) by racing to a 27-5 first-quarter lead and holding the Gryphons scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Girls' basketball
Gunn pulled into a three-way tie for first place in the SCVAL De Anza Division following a 38-31 upending of erstwhile leader Lynbrook on Friday night.

The Titans (7-2, 14-5) scored the final eight points of the game to deny Lynbrook (9-2, 19-4) a shot at the title. Wilcox (8-2, 20-2) also is part of the three-way logjam with just one week left in the regular season.

The win by Gunn, which won its fourth straight, avenged an earlier 17-point loss to the Vikings. A basket by Olivia Tapia and four free throws by Zoe Zwerling helped lift the Titans to victory in the closing moments. Zwerling finished with 11 points and five rebounds with Sarah Klem grabbing a team-high seven boards.

The Titans also limited Lynbrook scoring leader Jackie Hudepohl to 12 points and the Vikings to just five points in the deciding fourth quarter.

Just a few miles away, Palo Alto celebrated Senior Night by defeating visiting Los Gatos, 44-38, in SCVAL De Anza Division action on Friday.

The Vikings (5-5, 9-12) pulled out a victory even though senior center Josie Butler sustained an injury and could not return. She had four blocks early in the second quarter when she was hurt. The rest of team pulled together and grinded out a hard fought victory.

Freshmen Siggi Bengston hit four 3-pointers and played solid defense. Freshman Alexis Harris had eight rebounds with Charlotte Alipate grabbing seven boards.

"Coco Lovely played a great game at point guard, where she controlled the offense and helped us to play in a calmer state for most of the game," said Paly coach Scott Peters, whose team ended a four-game losing streak.

In the West Bay Athletic League (Foothill Division), host Eastside Prep captured its first outright title with a 68-29 romp over Castilleja. The Panthers (9-1, 18-5) held only a 14-13 lead after the first quarter before pulling away with a 20-5 advantage in the second period. The Gators (0-10, 4-20) were limited to 11 points after halftime.

Hashima Carothers led Eastside Prep with 23 points while Chaccity Cunningham added 15 and Alexus Simon 14.

In Atherton, Pinewood wrapped up sole possession of second place and the No. 2 seed in the upcoming playoffs with a 55-50 victory over host Menlo School on Friday night.

Menlo (6-4, 16-8) battled back to take the lead at 50-49 in the last two minutes of the game, but could not hold the lead. Pinewood (8-2, 19-5) made 8 of 14 three-pointers (57 percent) while Menlo was just 3 of 16 from long range (19 percent). Pinewood sophomore Gabi Bade was 4 of 5 on three-pointers and finished with 16 points. Fellow sophomore Marissa Hing added 13.

Menlo senior Drew Edelman led the way with 20 points and 18 rebounds while senior Lauren Lete added 14 points.

In Atherton, Meghan Holland tossed in 17 points and sister Melissa added 15 to pace host Sacred Heart Prep to a 49-46 win over Mercy-San Francisco. The Gators finished 5-5 in league (17-7 overall) heading into the WBAL playoffs.

— Palo Alto Online Sports/Menlo Athletics

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