The loss dropped Paly (15-9, 8-2) from a first place tie with Milpitas in the SCVAL De Anza division.

Before the Los Gatos game, the Vikings had been playing some of their best basketball of the season, and had been ranked #15 in the San Jose Mercury News.

Against Los Gatos, the Vikings made a comeback after facing a fivepoint deficit with just fifteen seconds remaining in the game.

Senior Nik Ajagu quickly scored for the Vikings to cut the lead to three. Ajagu then produced a steal and another quick field goal to bring Paly within one.

The Vikings quickly fouled Los Gatos andthe wildcats went to the free throw line with nine seconds left.

In a one-and-one situation, the Los Gatos player missed the first free throw, and the Vikings got the rebound.

They quickly brought the ball upcourt and sophomore Jon Whetstone missed a shot.

Los Gatos was quickly fouled after getting the rebound and again went to the free-throw line for a important one-and-one situation.

Again Los Gatos missed the free throw, yet Paly missed a desperate shot at the buzzer.

"It was a tough loss," senior forward Tak Abe said. "We couldn't get any shots to drop, and that's what ended up costing us the game."

Despite a horrible shooting day were Paly shot just 28 percent from th efield (14-50), they were able to stay in the game and give themselves a chance to win.

However, one bright spot for the Vikings was their improved ball control, leading to less turnovers.

The Vikings had been turning the ball over more than fifteen times per game, but they had only five turnovers against Milpitas.

Even though that loss is a devastating one, their ball control is improving and the Vikings are filled with players who are capable of shooting.

On February 8, Paly destroyed Los Altos 66-38 thanks to Ajagu's 33 points. Ajagu's return from an injury (bruised thigh) has been an important factor in Paly's solid play in the recent league games.

Santa Clara was the victim on February 2, in a 61-29 victory for the Vikings. Senior guard Aaron Wilson played a large role in the victory going 5-6 from the field for 12 points.

The previous game for the Vikings resulted in a much-needed 54-48 win against Milpitas on January 28 to put them in sole position of first place.

Wilson was 5-7 from the field (2-2 from three-point range) for 13 points and played tremendous team defense for the Vikings.

Wilson's great defense and solid play was rewarded with him being named Athlete of the Week by the San Jose Mercury News.

"Nik [Ajagu] and Tak [Abe] have really been playing well this season," Wilson said. "We need them to keep it going, and we should be in pretty good shape for CCS."

The Vikings have all but clinched a CCS birth, but still have two league games left to play, including the regular season finale against Gunn on February 18.

"If we can win our last two games, I think that we should be able to get a pretty good seed for CCS," Abe said.

Last time the two crosstown rivals met, it was a game to be remembered as Paly defeated the Gunn Titans on two free throws by Whetstone with two seconds left.

It was in front of a packed crowd with both fans screaming and yelling for the pride of their school and the right to brag at parties.

If recent history continues, the next game between the two teams will be a memorable one.