The Gunn High girls' basketball team captured the first-ever Central Coast Section title in the sport in school history by holding off rival Palo Alto, 41-39, in the Division I championship game on Saturday at Santa Clara University's Leavey Center. The No. 1-seeded Titans (19-6), who finished second in Division I last year and second in Division II in 2009, held on to lead in the waning moments, withstanding a three-pointer by Paly's Emilee Osagiede at the buzzer. The Vikings (19-5) were the defending champions.
Gunn's Cat Perez hit two key free throws with 2:09 left to put Gunn ahead 36-34 for good, while helping the Titans control inside throughout the game. She led all scorers with 18 points. Freshman Meghan Mahoney was tenacious on defense and got many key rebounds for Gunn while senior Julia Maggioncalda played arguably her best game of the year -- scoring clutch baskets and holding Osagiede to five points until her 3-point shot at the buzzer. Paly junior Stephanie Allen played tenacious defense and held Gunn's ZoeZwerling to six points while leading Paly in scoring with 13 points.
Both Gunn and Paly now advance to the CIF NorCal playoffs, which start Wednesday.
