SANTA CLARA — It was a rematch of last year, Menlo-Atherton and Los Gatos meeting for the Central Coast Section Division I girls basketball championship.
Los Gatos came out on top a year ago. This time it was Menlo-Atherton’s turn to celebrate with a 49-32 victory.
“It’s much more fun being on this end,” M-A coach Stecve Yob said. “We’re smiling, laughing, having a great time.”
M-A’s frontline size and interior defense was a big factor in the win. Los Gatos had trouble getting shots off inside against Menlo-Atherton’s 1-3-1 halfcourt defense, and made only three 2-point field goals all game.
Menlo-Atherton’s Mary Tava (21) takes a shot against Los Gatos’ Taylor Payne (11) in the fourth quarter during the CCS Division I girls championship at Santa Clara High School in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)The Wildcats made four 3s in the first quarter and led 14-8. But they cooled off in the second quarter, making only one shot, and were outscored 16-3 as M-A (21-5) took a 24-17 lead at halftime.
Los Gatos got within four at 32-28, but then the Bears went on a 15-0 run to put the game away.
“That 1-3-1 can eat people up,” Yob said. “When we buckle down, when we play defense everything follows. They were stuck on 28 a long time. Our length bothered them.”.
Luisa Tava led M-A with 15 points. Apé Ulukivaiola scored 11.
It was the sixth CCS title in Menlo-Atherton girls basketball history, the second in Yob’s tenure as head coach.
Jenna Webb paced Los Gatos with 11 points. Hanna Behnami scored 9.
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Los Gatos (20-7) lost four starters off last year’s team, two now playing Division I college basketball.
“I don’t think anybody thought we’d be here, so that in and of itself is quite the accomplishment,” Quilici-Giles said. “We’re looking forward to NorCals after this.”
Menlo-Atherton’s Luisa Tava (34) takes a shot against Los Gatos in the second quarter during the CCS Division I girls championship at Santa Clara High School in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) Los Gatos’ Sophie Riese (1) fights for the ball against Menlo-Atherton’s Mary Tava (21) in the first quarter during the CCS Division I girls championship at Santa Clara High School in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) Los Gatos’ Jenna Webb (10) takes a shot against Menlo-Atherton in the first quarter during the CCS Division I girls championship at Santa Clara High School in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) Menlo-Atherton’s Apé Ulukivaiola (24) takes a shot against Los Gatos’ Lola Cuevas (2) in the fourth quarter during the CCS Division I girls championship at Santa Clara High School in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) Menlo-Atherton’s Mary Tava (21) takes a shot against Los Gatos’ Taylor Payne (11) in the fourth quarter during the CCS Division I girls championship at Santa Clara High School in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)Hence then, the article about menlo atherton girls flip script top los gatos for ccs d1 title was published today ( ) and is available on mercury news ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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