Title for Paly girls Title for Paly girls (February 20, 2002)a good start to CCS

by Nathan Kurz

It was a game of firsts-and lasts-for the host Palo Alto girls basketball team last Friday night against Gunn.

The Vikings' 61-23 romp in their league finale marked the last regular-season home games for seniors Jenna Lippe-Klein and Kaitlin Nelson. But more importantly for the home crowd, the win gave the Vikings (11-1, 23-4) their first-ever SCVAL De Anza Division crown in coach Amy Stock's first year behind the bench.

"I'm really excited and happy for the kids," said Stock. "This is why I do what I do-to be successful."

The league title was the fourth all-time for the girls at Paly, although the most recent two came in the El Camino Division in 1987 and 1996. The Vikings also won a title in 1986.

Palo Alto's 23 wins gives this years' Vikings team the best record ever in school history. It was the most wins for the girls squad since 1996, when the team went 19-9 and advanced to the second round of the CCS playoffs.

Junior Megan Martin led all scorers with 17 points and added four rebounds, two assists and a steal.

"Megan has provided us leadership every game," said Stock. "She always seems to bring us up to the next level."

Martin was able to get some good looks at the basket because Nelson dominated inside, scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds in limited playing time.

"We have tried to establish Kaitlin inside so we can create an inside-outside game," said Stock.

The one-sided game against Gunn provided Stock with a chance to get her reserves involved. The Vikings coach mentioned Jossy Tseng, Wesley Ellison, Lela Gradman and Kristen Jensen as players who provide Palo Alto with some depth against pressing teams.

"They all can contribute in their own way," said Stock.

But such lopsided victories also have a price.

Since the Vikings have been so dominant at times during the regular season, Stock worries about situations her team could face in the tough Division II bracket.

"We haven't had enough chances to come from behind," she said. "It's just a matter of having to make baskets, and I hope some of our more experienced varsity players can step up when we need them to."

As for the Titans (2-10, 4-19), a tough year comes to an end. The future looks bright however for young players like junior Chelsea Taylor, who led the Titans with nine points and a trey against the Vikings. Gunn will have to wait another year to try to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2000.