UPDATE: The Milpitas Trojans are gearing up for a historic showdown in the Central Coast Section (CCS) basketball finals this Saturday, aiming for their first section championship since 1997. After a commanding 61-30 victory over Palo Alto on Thursday night, Milpitas looks to defeat league rival Los Gatos for the third time this season.
Milpitas showcased a dominant performance, particularly in the second half, limiting Palo Alto to just 12 points. Standout players included Dylan Nguyen with 21 points and Pranavram Krishnan, who contributed 12 points. Coach Champ Wrencher praised the team’s defensive effort, stating, “I’m really proud of that second-half defensive effort.”
Milpitas, boasting a remarkable 25-1 season record, has won its playoff games by an average margin of 32 points, defeating Sequoia by 33 and Palo Alto by 31. The upcoming championship game promises to be more competitive, as Milpitas previously defeated Los Gatos 58-52 on January 9 and 65-56 on January 30.
“Key for us is to treat it as a normal game,” Wrencher emphasized, urging his players to focus and not get distracted by the heightened stakes.
A victory on Saturday would resonate beyond just sports; it would symbolize a unifying moment for the Milpitas community. “Milpitas is a very unique place. It warms my heart to see the community out,” Wrencher added, highlighting the support from local officials and residents.
In other CCS semifinal action, St. Francis is making headlines after clinching a 63-58 victory over Christopher, propelling them to the Division II title game. Coach Rodney Tention noted, “This year has been a learning process. They never shut down.” St. Francis will face top-seeded Willow Glen, marking a significant turnaround from their 9-16 regular season record.
Meanwhile, Sacred Heart Cathedral (SHC) advanced to the Division III final after a 52-45 win against Pioneer. With a strong start, SHC built a lead of 23-8 in the first quarter. They aim for their third CCS title since 2023 and their 14th overall.
Half Moon Bay dominated Menlo School in the Division IV semifinal, winning 83-59 with a standout performance from Gio Garduno-Martin, who scored 30 points. They will face Sacred Heart Prep in the finals.
On the girls’ side, Menlo-Atherton secured their spot in the Division I final with a solid 58-46 victory over Los Altos. Senior Luisa Tava led the Bears with 22 points, and they will clash with Los Gatos, seeking redemption after last year’s championship loss.
Valley Christian’s nail-biter against Monta Vista ended in a narrow victory for the top-seeded team, who will face Aragon in the Division II final. Aragon’s Jayda Parangan delivered the game-winning basket, ensuring a 40-38 victory.
Mills edged past Notre Dame-San Jose, securing a 43-36 win to advance to the Division III title game, looking to add to their impressive championship history.
With all teams vying for glory, Saturday’s championship games promise to deliver thrilling action. Fans and communities are rallying as their teams strive for victory, making it a weekend to watch in the CCS basketball landscape.
