The Scotts Valley High girls basketball team made school history this week, beating the local powerhouse Soquel Knights 51-46 for their school’s first win at the Knights’ home gym.
The Falcons (8-4 overall, 1-0 Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League) were led by four players in double figures.
After trailing 12-11 at the end of the first quarter, freshman wunderkind Tori McBride came up big for the Falcons, sinking critical shots at critical times to keep the Falcons ahead for the final three periods.
“Tori McBride was the surprise of the night,” head coach Jim Hart said of his point guard. “I was really proud of her. She showed a lot of poise out there.”
With four minutes left in the first half, McBride sank a huge 3-pointer to give the Falcons the lead. She followed up that play with a quick steal and fast-break layup and, for an encore, sank a second 3-pointer to give the Falcons a 25-20 lead at halftime that they never relinquished.
The Falcons have three talented freshman starters in McBride; 6-foot, 1-inch Nadene Hart; and 6-foot Angela Silver.
“We knew if we could keep it close in the fourth quarter, we stood a chance,” Jim Hart said. “Soquel is well coached and always tough, and to beat them at home is a big accomplishment for these girls.”
Scotts Valley had four players score in the double digits, led by senior Liz Munger and McBride with 12 points each. Natalia Ebrahemian scored 11 points and Silver 10. Nadene Hart led the Falcons with 13 rebounds, and Munger grabbed 11.
In addition to the varsity win, the Falcon girls junior varsity team won a nailbiter over Soquel in the final seconds, 30-29.
Boys
As much as they might have liked it, the Scotts Valley boys couldn’t repeat their 67-54 success against Soquel (4-8) in the Dads Club Tournament on Dec. 9. This time around, the Knights had their number, pulling away early and beating the Falcons 53-38.
Desmond Balco led the Falcons (6-6 overall) with 16 points, but the team fell to 0-1 in league play.
The Falcons next play at home against Harbor High on Friday, Jan. 7. The girls tip off at 5:30 p.m. and the boys at 7 p.m.
