The Palo Alto High School boys’ basketball team prevailed over Homestead High School, 79-74, last night at home. The Vikings held on to the lead despite a dangerous resurgence from the visitors late in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings came into the game radiating confidence, and that confidence showed through as they powered through the first half. After a quick 3-pointer by Homestead to light up the scoreboard for the first time, the Vikings quickly pulled ahead thanks to points from guards Davante Adams (’11) and Max Schmarzo (’11).

Throughout the remainder of the game, the Vikings never lost the lead again. Exceptional hustle by the team, as well as outstanding performances from two of the team’s youngest players, E.J. Floreal (’13) and Mathias Schmutz (’13), made the Vikings look like a team with a victory on the way throughout the first half. When the half came to a close at 35-22, the game seemed routine for the first place Vikings.

Later in the game, the points on the scoreboard slowly started to drift closer together, and a sense of urgency entered both teams’ playing styles. As the fourth quarter began to wind down, drives up the court and 3-pointers from Homestead threatened the Palo Alto defense. However, a crucial block by Shmutz to clear the ball from danger late in the quarter finalized the Viking win, and even an impressive 3-point buzzer beater to round out the game could not save Homestead’s hopes of a comeback.

Vikings had a dominant game, but the risky fourth quarter and some slip-ups on defense made it clear that there is still a long way to go for the team that has its eyes on a serious Central Coast Section title run. 

“We performed good enough,” center Michael Augustine (’12) said. “There were a lot of things we struggled on, especially our defense, but the stop [by Schmutz] sealed the game.”

The Vikings don’t have long to focus or even think about last night’s game, as they face a tough non-league match-up against Menlo School tonight.

“We need to come in mentally prepared, and to avoid a slip up after the exciting game against Homestead,” Augustine said. “If we come in ready to play then we should be fine.”

Unfortunately, the Vikings will suffer the loss of key players Adams and center Israel Hakim (’12) when they face the Knights tonight at 7:45 p.m. in the Paly gym.