Scotts Valley's dream season ends with narrow loss in NorCal Regional semifinals

Falcons' historic run falls short against Valley Christian in physical D-III matchup

Mar. 8, 2026 at 1:33pm

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Scotts Valley High's girls basketball team, the CCS Division IV champion, saw its dream season come to an end with a narrow 42-36 loss to Valley Christian of San Jose in the CIF NorCal Regional D-III semifinals. The feisty Falcons, who were bumped up to D-III for the regional playoffs, weren't expected to win but advanced through two thrilling home victories before falling to the battle-tested Warriors. Despite the loss, Scotts Valley coach Stu Hurvitz praised his team's historic accomplishments, including the program's first CCS title and a 29-2 overall record over the past two seasons.

Why it matters

Scotts Valley's deep playoff run as a smaller D-IV school competing against larger programs highlighted the team's grit and determination, as well as the growth of the girls basketball program. While the loss was heartbreaking, it showcased the Falcons' ability to exceed expectations and build momentum for the future, especially with standout freshman Isabelle Jas set to return next season.

The details

In a game defined by defense, Valley Christian's late offensive surge proved to be the difference. Trailing 33-31 early in the fourth quarter after a strong stretch by Jas, the Warriors responded with a 10-0 run sparked by a driving layup from senior guard Kenedi Nomura and 3-pointers from senior Lizzy Rodrigues and sophomore Evelyn Gittens. The Falcons struggled to score over the final six minutes, unable to overcome Valley Christian's aggressive play.

  • The Falcons (29-2 overall) were the unbeaten, repeat champion in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League and posted a 52-5 record over the past two seasons.
  • Scotts Valley High freshman center Isabelle Jas scored 13 of her game-high 15 points in the second half on Saturday.

The players

Stu Hurvitz

The Falcons' head coach, who praised his team's historic accomplishments and grit in exceeding expectations by advancing to the regional semifinals as a smaller D-IV school.

Isabelle Jas

Scotts Valley's standout freshman center, who scored 13 of her game-high 15 points in the second half and is expected to play an even bigger role next season.

Kenedi Nomura

Valley Christian's senior guard, who sparked her team's decisive 10-0 run in the fourth quarter and scored a team-high 15 points.

Lizzy Rodrigues

Valley Christian's senior guard, who hit a key 3-pointer during the Warriors' fourth-quarter surge.

Evelyn Gittens

Valley Christian's sophomore guard, who also knocked down a 3-pointer as part of the Warriors' late offensive outburst.

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What they’re saying

“I felt like we were the 'little engine that could' running into these playoffs, and all year. The fact that we made it through these other champions as a D-IV school … aw, man, this (division) is a hard one. … Once of the sting of this loss wears off, this is what I told the girls: We've had the best season of any Scotts Valley team in history. And they should be proud of that. As much as it hurts, look at all they accomplished.”

— Stu Hurvitz, Scotts Valley head coach

“All the girls are such amazing people. Having them as support is what I'm gonna miss most. We always see each other at school and give each other hugs. Its the amount we've grown together and the bond we've created. And I've known the freshmen for a year now. … And we wouldn't have done it without the other people on the bench, the 'hype squad,' the town coming out. It was very special.”

— Amaya Guerra, Scotts Valley senior guard

“I think we're all happy to be playing teams we can compete with more, instead of getting of getting our butts kicked a lot. It's just something different and something new, and I think it's exciting. All these games are super close and I'm so glad we can finish them.”

— Kenedi Nomura, Valley Christian senior guard

What’s next

The winner of Tuesday's regional final between Valley Christian and Menlo-Atherton will advance to the state championship at the Golden 1 Center, home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.

The takeaway

Scotts Valley's historic playoff run, which included the program's first CCS title, showcased the team's grit and determination, even as a smaller D-IV school competing against larger programs. While the season-ending loss was heartbreaking, the Falcons' accomplishments and the emergence of standout freshman Isabelle Jas provide a strong foundation for the future of the girls basketball program.