By Craig Wentz

Town Crier Correspondent

Prep Boys Hoop Scoop

The goal for most prep basketball teams during December is to develop team chemistry and confidence heading into respective league play next month.

A few local teams appeared to make headway in this department last week, while others proved they still have a long way to go.

Gunn (4-1) is off to a solid start after capturing the consolation championship of the Lowell Tournament last weekend in San Francisco. After losing 60-53 to University in the opening round, the Titans rebounded with a balanced scoring attack to defeat Menlo-Atherton 78-54 and ISA 84-43.

Against ISA, center Scott Cowger and point guard Charlie Parse tallied 21 and 20 points, respectively, as the Titans raced to a commanding 39-26 halftime lead. Gunn outgunned ISA 35-9 in the third quarter to increase the margin to 74-35 after three quarters.

Parse and Derek Brannon poured in 23 and 22 points, respectively, in the victory over M-A.

Los Altos (1-5) didn’t fare as well in the Burlingame Tournament last weekend, but did pick up its first win of the season Dec. 4 in a 56-42 non-league triumph at M-A.

After facing a 22-21 halftime deficit, the Eagles went on a 19-6 run to open the third quarter en route to victory. Los Altos center Jonathan Schrader led all scorers with 24 points.

In tournament play, Los Altos fell 65-45 to Hillsdale and 58-44 to host Burlingame.

Coming off an appearance in the Division II state title game and returning a plethora of talented players, St. Francis appears to have enough ammunition for another big season.

The Lancers (1-1) captured their season opener last Friday with a 61-57 win over Galena in the first round of the Galena Round Robin Tournament. The next day the Lancers then lost 58-42 to Reno High.

Against Galena, center David Chiotti netted 17 points for St. Francis. The Lancers outscored Galena 23-14 in the fourth quarter to overcome a 42-38 deficit. Danny Ackman and David Velasquez added 15 and 11 points, respectively, for the Lancers.

In the loss to Reno, St. Francis was outscored 36-18 in the second half. Chiotti led the Lancers with 10 points.

Mountain View dropped both its games at the Wilcox tournament last weekend, despite impressive outings from shooting guard Matthew Ronconi.

In a 75-43 opening-round loss to Oak Grove, Ronconi tallied 15 points, then pumped in 30 in a tough 60-58 setback to Gunderson. Kevin Hsu added 10 points in the loss to Oak Grove.

Many believe that Homestead is the favorite to capture the SCVAL El Camino Division crown this season and the Mustangs have thus far done nothing to dispute that.

Homestead (5-3) hammered Prospect 46-31 and Lincoln 82-43 in non-league action last week behind the torrid shooting of guard Brad Sasaki.

Sasaki had 20 points against Prospect, then followed with a 28-point performance against Lincoln. Homestead’s Tim Strombel added 14 points vs. Prospect.

Pinewood improved to 3-1 after pounding Contra Costa Christian 71-16 in a non-league contest last week in Los Altos Hills.

The Panthers led 20-6 after one quarter and widened the margin to 38-14 at the half. Danny Aviles and P.J. Capin led a balanced Pinewood attack with 11 and 10 points, respectively.