GIRLS BASKETBALL: Palo Alto Rallies to Defeat Gunn

Palo Alto 39, Gunn 33

 The Star: Palo Alto senior Emilee Osagiede tenacious play on both sides of the court helped rally her team from behind Friday night. Osagiede scored 15 points and also recorded double digit rebounds in the win. Her critical pounding on the offensive block and effort on second chance point opportunities  helped guide Palo Alto (17-4, 10-0 De Anza) to its sixth straight victory overall and 10th straight win in league. Gunn junior Catherine Perez scored a game-high 17 points,leading the charge early in the first half for Gunn (16-5, 8-3 De Anza).   However, foul trouble ended her night with less than three minutes still left to play in the game.

 Turning Point: Palo Alto stifled Gunn on both sides of the court in the second half. The Vikings contained Perez from scoring and also accumulated a bushel of fouls against the Titans which led to numerous trips to the free throw line. With Gunn ahead 33-29 and less than three minutes left in the game, Osagiede’s pump fake on the offensive block caught Perez off her feet as Osagiede scored with a chance to put the Vikings trailing only behind by one point. With that foul, the Titans were without their star player for the rest of the game. On the very next possession, Osagiede dropped in a quick basket which gave the Vikings its very first lead of the game with a minute left.

 The Quote:  “We didn’t panic,” said Palo Alto’s Coach Scott Peters in response to its first half performance. “We know what we’re doing and our defense we’ll come through. Once we do that and relax, business will take care of itself on the offensive side.”

 “We’re undefeated because of our defense,” said Palo Alto’s Osagiede. “We’re just a better defensive team and if we focus on our defense the offense will come.”

 What’s Next: Palo Alto will host Los Gatos (16-6, 7-3 De Anza) on Wednesday night. Central Coast Section playoff action begins the following week.

 The Bottom Line: Gunn stormed out of the gates in the first quarter with an 11-2 run to start the game. Behind Catherine Perez sweet inside game and some deadly perimeter shooting, Gunn dissected every part of Palo Alto’s zone defense with quick outlet passes that led to easy open jump shots. Palo Alto adjusted its game plan at the start of the second quarter focusing more on defense rather than pushing it on offense as they closed the half trailing by only five, 23-18. Palo Alto edged Gunn with an enormous advantage at the free throw line nailing 17 out of 24 attempts while the stingy defense stifled Gunn in the second half. The Vikings only allowed 10 second half points.