Los Gatos, a 61-43 winner over Gunn in its only game last week, has just four games remaining in the 2004 regular season—at home against Fremont on Feb. 10, at Milpitas on Feb. 13 and at home against Wilcox (Feb. 18) and Palo Alto (Feb. 20).

Wins in two of the four would clinch a playoff spot for the Wildcats. Gatos head coach Jim Marino figures his club will gun for those important victories against Fremont and Wilcox. A win in either of the other two could help determine who wins the league title. Milpitas and Wilcox are tied for first place in the division, and a Gatos victory in either game could injure one of the club's championship chances.

"We played well against Milpitas, except for the last three minutes," said Marino . "And we played well for three quarters against Palo Alto."

At this stage of the season, Marino feels his squad his playing better than it has all season. "We're playing so much better than we were just two weeks ago," he said. "In the last three games we've found a way to play a complete game."

The Cats certainly did against Gunn.

"It was one of those games I felt we really controlled from the onset," said Marino. "It was nice to play four quarters of good basketball."

He was hoping the more of the same on Feb. 10 when the Cats were to host Fremont.

"That's a pivotal game for us," said the coach. "We lost to them in a close game the first time, and they're tied with us [in the standings]." The Cats were to enter the game with a 4-4 league record and 10-12 mark overall following the lopsided win over Gunn, the third straight for Gatos.

Vince Belloti and Jordan Vandenberg led the Cats in scoring and on the boards in the win. Belloti and Vandenberg pitched in 15 points apiece, and senior Mike Robards was close behind with 11.

"That was [Belloti's] best offensive game of the year," said Marino of the 6-foot-3 junior. "He's been doing so many other things for us—playing defense, rebounding, handling the ball."

Belloti did all of that, plus score, against the Titans. He jammed five field goals and added five free throws to finish with 15 pounds. He also led the club on the boards with nine rebounds and he dished off a couple of assists.

It was the fourth straight game in double figures for Vandenberg. The soph did most of his damage at the free-throw line with seven charity throws, and he also he four field goals. He chipped in with six rebounds.

"He's really been playing well," said Marino.

The coach also praised the work of Robards, who also hit double digits for the fourth straight game. His 11 points came on five field goals and a free throw. He added four rebounds and two assists.

Chris Cuthbert had a big night with eight points and five rebounds, as did Matt Martini with seven points and two assists. Ted Hull had four points and four rebounds.