LOS GATOS — For three quarters, Palo Alto-Los Gatos had an argument for game of the year in Bay Area boys basketball.

Both teams were playing with palpable physicality and intensity on both ends of the floor, and the lead whipped back and forth throughout the first 24 minutes.

But they play four quarters in hoops. And in the final frame, Paly was the squad that separated down the stretch. The Vikings were a little more careful, a little more efficient and a little more aggressive to pull away to a 57-47 win after trailing 36-35 entering the fourth quarter.

“Two heavyweights in this conference that have been good for a long time and a great atmosphere,” said Paly coach Jeff LaMere. “Just two teams trading punches. And I was really proud of our guys, especially how they stuck with it.”

Palo Alto entered Friday’s contest 15-2 and undefeated in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League’s De Anza Division. But though the Vikings have won eight games in a row, there have been some close calls along the way.

Los Gatos’ Scotty Brennan (10) takes a shot against Palo Alto’s Jake Wang (25) in the second quarter at Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 

Paly (16-2, 6-0 SCVAL) beat Menlo-Atherton in overtime and topped Los Altos and Milpitas by fewer than 10 points. So the Vikings are used to playing close games, and that poise shone through on Friday night.

“That’s what our group does really well this year,” said Paly star guard Jorell Clark, who finished with a hard-earned 22 points to lead all scorers. “We just fight, and that’s what really helped us get the win. Shots weren’t necessarily falling the entire time, in and outs, but our defense really held us down, and we got through it. And towards the end, things started to fall, started to be more aggressive and attack and finish the job.”

Los Gatos (12-5, 3-3) looked every bit Paly’s equal for most of the contest. Palo Alto led 11-9 after one quarter and 22-20 at the half. But the Wildcats never went away, and a quick burst gave them the lead after three quarters.

“Their physicality kind of got to us, and we lost focus,” said Los Gatos coach Nick Ward. “But it ultimately comes down to, we left a lot at the (free-throw) line. The guys know that. It’s obvious. Everyone in the gym saw it. We missed a bunch of free throws and missed stuff around the rim, and it wears on you. And then when things are going against you, it’s hard to keep it together. And they got to us tonight. They’re good.”

In all, Los Gatos left 12 points at the line, converting 13 of 25 free-throw attempts.

Los Gatos’ Scotty Brennan (10) shoots a free throw against Palo Alto in the first quarter at Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 

The Wildcats were buoyed by the return of forward Scotty Brennan, who healed up from a broken right hand that has sidelined him for most of the season. Playing with a soft cast on his non-dominant hand, Brennan led Los Gatos with 15 points.

“He had a cast on for four weeks, got it off yesterday, practiced, and then played tonight,” Ward said. “He’s a gamer. He was in practice the whole time, trying to do everything he could to make sure he was ready when he came back. But it’s hard to simulate a game, especially a big game. But he rose to the occasion, did the best he could against the best opponent in our league. Proud of him for his effort.”

Palo Alto’s salty defense managed to disrupt most everything Los Gatos did, holding the Cats to nine points in both the first and fourth quarters. And when the Vikings needed it, their offense came through in the final period, scoring 22 points to put the game out of reach.

“It’s a great feeling,” Clark said. “All the hard work we put in throughout the entire game, finally being able to break through. It’s a big one. It was a great win. I already knew coming into the game, Los Gatos always is a defensive-minded team. It’s always a scrap every single time I’ve played them. It wasn’t really a surprise to me, so I was ready for it.”

Palo Alto’s Jorell Clark (12) takes a shot against Los Gatos’ Osha Moloney (2) in the third quarter at Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
Palo Alto’s head coach Jeff LaMere watches his team play against Los Gatos in the third quarter at Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
Los Gatos’ Scotty Brennan (10) celebrates after dunking the ball against Palo Alto in the third quarter at Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
Palo Alto’s Jorell Clark (12) smiles near the end of a game against Los Gatos in the fourth quarter at Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
Palo Alto’s Jorell Clark (12) shoots a free throw against Los Gatos in the second quarter at Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)