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It doesn’t matter if one team is way up and one team way down, when Palo Alto and Gunn clash in basketball there’s no game either team wants more to win.
And when both teams are on a relatively even keel the tension increases with both teams setting their sights on a winnable game within their reach.
That was the case Wednesday with Gunn hoping to end a multi-decade losing streak at Paly. But the Vikings, an uncharacteristic 4-7 going into the game, turned up the intensity on defense and earned a 41-28 victory.
“The kids went to elementary school and middle school together,’’ Palo Alto coach Jeff Lamere said. “This is a real special game, one we are glad to win.’’
The two rivals will play again Friday at Gunn.
After a Gunn basket at the start of the second quarter gave the Titans a 7-4 lead, Paly went on a 13-3 run to close the quarter with a 17-10 halftime lead.
Gunn (7-7), trailing by 10, scored the final six points of the third quarter to cut the Paly lead to 24-20 heading to the fourth quarter. But Simon Minami, subbing for an injured Addison Lee.in the Palo Alto starting lineup, knocked down a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter, igniting an 8-0 run, and Paly was never threatened the rest of the way.
“I’m really proud of how we responded,’’ Lamere said. “The seniors — Aidan Rausch, Martin Segura and Minami — really stepped up.’’
Gunn struggled with its shooting all game, making just seven of 41 field-goal attempts.
“Paly played great defense, hats off to them,’’ Gunn coach Brandynn Williams said. “We couldn’t find a good rhythm, just didn’t hit the shots that we normally make. When you make shots your energy goes up, when you miss shots your confidence goes down.’’
Playing good defense has been a constant for Palo Alto this season, but the team has struggled mightily on offense and been involved in one low-scoring game after another.
“When we were hit by the 10-day covid quarantine we lost 10 days of development,’’ Lamere said. “With a short season every day is so important. We played four games last week and four more this week. The guys are taking the floor to play games with very little preparation. It’s just a different season. We’re happy to be playing at all.’’
Rausch scored nine points while Minami and Segura had eight apiece for Paly. Gavin Kitch scored 16 of Gunn’s 28.
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