Junior guard Daniel Chou hit six three-pointers and senior guard Jamie Turley anchored a stout defensive performance as the host Falcons (8-7 overall, 1-1 league) knocked off rival Los Gatos by a final score of 66-61 in the team’s “biggest win of the year” on Jan. 2.
“The guys came out with a lot of energy and played very well,” said coach Trevor Naas. “We shot the ball well from the three-point line and our post players dominated the glass.”
Chou, the game’s leading scorer, finished with 18 points and spearheaded the offensive effort while senior guard Ryan Pak and senior centers Alvin Hsia and Christian Biederman also contributed in double figures.
“I felt great,” said Chou. “After I knocked down my first three, I could feel the spirit of the team rising.”
Naas praised his team for its performance against “an A-league team” and the Falcons’ “biggest rival.” For Chou, however, the game felt “just like any other.”
After beating Los Gatos, the Falcons extended their win streak to four games with a 59-45 triumph at Milpitas on Jan. 6 before sustaining a 63-55 home loss to Homestead on Jan. 13.
Naas welcomed the victories but said that the team still has room to improve on the defensive end over the next couple of weeks.
“We need to continue to improve our ball pressure on defense and our ability to box out and rebound,” said Naas.
The team also needs to play to its strengths on offense.
“So far, we have improved our transition offense and that has been a strength for us,” said Naas. “The guys have bought into running their lanes and pushing the ball to get good looks in transition.”
Naas said the team is playing its “best basketball of the season” right now as it pushes to win league.
“Winning league has been our goal since the beginning of the season,” said Naas. “We know that it is going to be hard work and we are going to have to continue to improve. But, if we can make a real commitment to playing with energy and effort on the defensive end, we’ve got as good a shot as anyone else.”
Saratoga will play Santa Clara and Monta Vista before visiting Homestead for a re-match on Feb. 3.