St. Francis High girls basketball coach Ashley Hill says, “There are no nights off” in the formidable West Catholic Athletic League.
And if there’s any week in which the Lancers can’t afford to have an off night, it’s this one. St. Francis faces the WCAL’s two undefeated teams and will likely need to be at its best to beat either of them. The Lancers (2-1 league, 7-6 overall) visit Mitty (3-0, 11-0) tonight and host Sacred Heart Cathedral (3-0, 13-0) Saturday. Both games tip off at 7:30 p.m.
Hill hopes to have a full complement of players for these games – something she’s lacked for most of the season. Starting forward Sela Paini has been sidelined since breaking her hand Dec 22 in a non-league win over Mountain View, but she could be cleared to return this week.
Starting guards Kelsey Houlihan and Cynthia Curley returned from injuries Jan. 11, combining for 27 points in a 55-41 league win over visiting Presentation.
At least center Becky Tratter has been healthy, She leads St. Francis in scoring and rebounding. The senior tallied 17 points against Presentation.
In other girls action:
• Los Altos lost 40-28 at Lynbrook Jan. 10. Emily Lippe scored eight points for the Eagles, who sunk to 1-2 in the SCVAL El Camino Division, 2-9 overall.
• Powered by a 19-9 run in the fourth quarter, visiting Mountain View beat Monta Vista 57-53 Jan. 10. Kayla VanTil scored a team-high 17 points for the Spartans, who improved to 1-1 in the El Camino Division, 8-10 overall.
LA boys end skid
“It’s good to get a win on the road and to get our first league win,” said coach James Reilly, whose team improved to 1-3 in the SCVAL El Camino Division and 4-12 overall. “I’m really pleased with how we competed down the stretch and into overtime. It showed good character to win a tight one after some tough losses.”
The Eagles outscored the Vikings 5-3 in the fourth quarter and 10-5 in the extra period.
Matt Favaro finished with 14 points for Los Altos and Kennie Park added 13.
In other boys action:
• Life in the SCVAL De Anza Division is proving as difficult as last season for Mountain View. The Spartans, last in the division a year ago, are off to a 0-3 start. Mountain View fell 57-42 to first-place Palo Alto Jan. 11, dropping to 7-10 overall. The host Spartans fell behind 15-6 after the first quarter and 31-14 by halftime.Terence Willis scored 20 points to lead Mountain View.
• St. Francis lost at rival Bellarmine 59-48 Jan. 10 to fall to 1-2 in the WCAL, 8-6 overall. Richie Scudellari, in his first game back from a finger injury, scored 14 points for the Lancers.
• Despite having just five players available for its opener, Alta Vista nearly pulled off a come-from-behind win in its South Bay Big Six opener Jan. 5. The Mountain View continuation school, down 17 points at the half, lost 46-42 at Robertson. Jeanno Williams led Alta Vista with 16 points and 14 rebounds; Sione Palu had six points, nine assists and 10 steals.
