With the 2013-14 league season having come to a close, the Palo Alto High School boys varsity basketball team ended with an 8-4 league record and a record of 14-10 overall.

Although the team did not accomplish its goal of winning the De Anza Division, it finished the season strong in the last home game on Feb 21. against Los Gatos High School, securing the second place spot in the league.

“Obviously, we hoped to win league, but nobody expected us to come close,” senior center Matt Fogarty said. “I am definitely proud of what we have done.”

“Our biggest improvement over league season was team defense, and that’s something we can bring every game,” senior Noah Phillips said.

A large number of parents and Paly students showed up to support the team in its last home game, which was also the team’s Senior Night.  Despite being behind for most of the game, Los Gatos fought back in the fourth quarter. However, the Vikings pulled out a win with a final score of 54-52.

“I thought we played pretty well…although we were a little sloppy on defense and rebounding in the second half,” senior center Matt Fogarty said.

In general, over the course of the season, Phillips says he believes the team accomplished a lot and played some great basketball.

As the first game of the Central Coast Section (CCS) tournament approaches, Phillips says that the team is focusing on taking it one game at a time, winning as many games as they can and progressing as far as possible.

“We are all pumped to play in the last basketball game that will ever be played in the Big Gym before construction starts and it is torn down,” Phillips said.

On March 1, Paly faced off against the Menlo Atherton-Bears in their second game of the CCS tournament.  The Vikings lost 43-51 and will therefore not be continuing on to the CCS semifinals. Senior Keesean Johnson had 16 points and seven rebounds in the loss, while junior Kevin Mullin added 20 points. Paly was dominated on the boards by the bigger Menlo Atherton team, leading to many second chance points for the Bears.

The team exceeded expectations at the beginning of the year and will have eight returning varsity players next year, when they will look to win the coveted   league title before having to undergo more rebuilding.