In the opening round of the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League girls basketball tournament, the No. 3-seeded Falcons toppled the No. 6 Harbor Pirates 85-36 on Monday, Feb. 13.
The Falcons were led by a record-breaking night from senior captain Natalia Ebrahemian, who set a school record for single-game scoring with 38 points. Ebrahemian also became the second Falcon in school history to surpass 1,000 career points.
“I had come close to the record in a few games,” Ebrahemian said. “When (coach Jim Hart) stopped the game for the 1,000-point thing, I was not even aware that I was close. But then in the fourth quarter, when he told me that I only needed 10 more points to break the single-game scoring record, I was really excited. I had been really wanting that record all season.”
Ebrahemian finished her stellar night with nine field goals, five free throws and five 3-pointers, along with eight rebounds, nine steals and three assists.
“I knew she was the kind of player who could get there,” Hart said. “I really hope Harbor understands we weren’t trying to run up the score or anything, we were just trying to get her that record.”
The Falcons had all scored when Hart told them what Ebrahemian needed for the record, and they made it a point in the final quarter to get her the ball.
The team was hard-pressed, because officials set a running clock as a result of a 40-point differential after the third quarter. But Ebrahemian made the most of the opportunities afforded her.
“That was a really cool thing to get to be a part of,” said freshman Sadie Allen, who scored nine points on the day. “This whole season has been so fast-paced and has really been a neat learning experience for me.”
Angela Silver scored 11 points for the Falcons, while senior Tori Bridges scored nine. Sophomore Nadene Hart scored seven and grabbed 14 rebounds to help earn the win.
The Falcons finished the regular season 8-4 in league play and were 18-7 overall heading into the next round of the SCCAL tournament. That game was played Wednesday, Feb. 15, against Santa Cruz High after Press-Banner press time.
The team was expected to qualify for the Central Coast Section playoffs, but games have not yet been scheduled.
