UPDATE: In a breathtaking finish, junior guard Mila Conn scored the game-winning basket with just five seconds remaining, propelling Santa Cruz High’s girls basketball team to a stunning 45-44 victory over Los Altos in their season opener at the 12th annual Aptos High/Santa Cruz Warriors NorCal Invitational held at Kaiser Permanente Arena on December 11, 2023.
This dramatic win comes off the heels of a nail-biting sequence where Los Altos took a 44-43 lead, thanks to a corner three-pointer from senior guard Ella McFarlane. However, Conn’s clutch performance stole the show as she executed a swift give-and-go from Nadia Delgadillo, driving the length of the court for a pull-up jumper that sealed the game.
The urgency of this victory cannot be overstated; it not only boosts the Cardinals’ record to 7-4 but also secures a critical .500 win percentage in preseason, essential for qualifying for the Central Coast Section playoffs. Coach Todd Trowbridge expressed his elation, stating, “It was a big win for us… to be able to finish this game the way we did felt pretty good.”
Santa Cruz entered halftime trailing 20-13, but surged back to dominate the third quarter, outscoring Los Altos 20-9. Conn finished with an impressive 17 points and 7 rebounds. Senior forward Karolina Espinosa also made significant contributions, tallying 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Los Altos, now 7-2 overall, saw McFarlane lead her team with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals. Freshman guard Taylor Ware added 12 points, further pushing the Eagles’ efforts in a tightly contested match.
Looking ahead, Santa Cruz will face Half Moon Bay, currently boasting a 6-2 record, in the semifinals on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.. The stakes remain high as the Cardinals aim to build on this momentum in the tournament.
This thrilling opener not only signifies a pivotal moment for Santa Cruz but also sets the stage for an electrifying tournament ahead. Fans and players alike are eager to see how the team capitalizes on this victory.
Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses, and don’t miss the semifinals where the action continues to unfold!
