Scotts Valley High’s boys’ basketball team was in search of a much-needed spark last week following a subpar start to the 2024-25 winter campaign.
Jacob Sanders and Will Shilling provided some heat for the Falcons in their crushing 67-46 win over St. Francis in non-league action Dec. 27.
Both seniors each had 15 points, while fellow teammate senior Alex Burgos finished with a game-best 16 points. Senior Zach Shilling added 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
“We made a couple of adjustments at halftime, and I was really happy the way the boys made their adjustments,” Scotts Valley coach Gabe Gonzales said. “This one was a needed win. We played a couple of tough teams and just couldn’t pull it out. So I was really happy about this one.”
The month of December hasn’t been kind for Scotts Valley, which is currently closing in on the preseason portion of its schedule. They currently own a 5-7 overall record following a 61-53 loss to Soledad on Dec. 28.
They also suffered losses to Central Coast Section perennial powerhouse teams such as defending Division II champion Valley Christian in the Emmett Thompson Memorial Dad’s Club Tourney in Santa Cruz, and to The King’s Academy—a D-IV semifinalist—in a non-league game Dec. 3.
The Falcons fell to defending D-IV champion Carmel and Monterey—a D-III semifinalist—at the 76th Annual Carmel Invitational.
“It definitely takes a toll on us, and we’re losing back-to-back-to-back games,” Shilling said after last week’s victory against St. Francis. “These wins definitely gets us motivated and makes us want to keep playing.”
The Falcons are missing key players in juniors Braeden Dickenson and Caden Kilpatrick, and senior Taylor Knox due to injuries. Knox, who has an average of 12.4 points per game, rolled his ankle and missed the game against St. Francis.
“We definitely just have to lean on each other, we’re never gonna have one guy do everything,” Shilling said. “We just got to lean on each other and play as a team, and that’s how we can get back.”
Gonzales echoed his veteran senior guard and team leader, saying the players seem to pick each other up anytime somebody goes down.
“If anything, the injuries and the adversity is bringing us more together, which I’m really excited to see as we get ready for league,” Gonzales said.
Scotts Valley lost just one senior in Chase Welle from the 2023-24 season. The roster is mostly made up of returning players, yet they also bolstered up with the addition of Sanders—a tall and strong center who transferred from San Lorenzo Valley.
“[Sanders has] been obviously a big help, patrols the middle,” Gonzales said. “We just have to make sure that he’s moving his feet at all times because he gets caught in foul trouble here and there.”
Gonzales said it’s important Sanders is on the floor because he helps the Falcons up and down the court.
“I think I bring a big role just as the center, just rebounding and being able to score in the paint,” Sanders said. “And help my team as much as possible on interior, on defense, and get blocks.”
Sanders said joining Scotts Valley was still fresh for him at first, but he quickly caught up with his new teammates during the spring and summer.
Shilling added he’s impressed how Sanders was able to mesh right in after playing with a different team his whole life.
“And then the younger guys, like Zach Kelly, coming up as a sophomore, he’s been huge for us,” Shilling said. “Without him, I don’t know what we would do.”
Shilling, who does most of the talking on the court, is the heart and soul of the Falcons. He also has a great supporting cast in his brother, Zach, Burgos and fellow senior Kit DeForest.
“We got to remind his brother, Zach Schilling, to shoot the ball because once he gets going, man, we are a dangerous team,” Gonzales said. “We just would love to click on all cylinders.”
Shilling emphasized they’re going to need everybody, including the underclassmen to step up. Especially if the veterans are having an off-day on the court.
“Sometimes it’s gonna be their day to score, and some days it’s gonna be their day to pass to be the facilitator. Just fit the role,” he said.
Shilling said their goal in nonleague play is to get ready for the upcoming Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League season. The league features the usual suspects in Aptos, Harbor, San Lorenzo Valley, Soquel and defending champion Santa Cruz.
Sanders said even though they lost some games in the preseason, the level of competition they faced is preparing them for the long road ahead in January and February.
Scotts Valley has never won a SCCAL title or finished a season with a league record of above .500, going 5-5 the past two seasons. In order to get over the hump, Gonzales said they have to get healthy and players will need to compete on each possession from here on out.
“We would love to get over that hump. We would love to get six or seven wins this year in league, and if we could do something like that, it’s a big accomplishment for us,” Gonzales said. “We feel we can compete with anybody. I do believe we’re not a walk over anymore.”
