That was the task facing the Los Gatos girls basketball team last week. The Wildcats had to face three second-division clubs in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League, and the Cats plowed through all three in impressive fashion.

Gatos started with a 46-33 win over Lynbrook (2-4), backed that up with a 55-36 victory over Palo Alto (3-4) and finished off the week with a 46-35 win over Gunn (2-7).

With the three wins, the Wildcats improved to 8-0 in the division and to 15-3 for the year. The Cats now enter the final four games of the season with a two-game lead over the rest of the pack, and they'll face the second- and third-place teams this week.

Los Gatos will host Homestead on Feb. 2, 7 p.m., before entertaining Milpitas on Feb. 4, 6 p.m. The Trojans are in second place and will visit Los Gatos on Friday sporting a 5-2 league record. The Mustangs will bring a 4-3 record to Los Gatos on Wednesday.

The Wildcats rolled over Lynbrook 46-33 to open play last week. Bryte Nielson and Julia Anderson poured in 13 points apiece to lead the Cats. Madeline Rose added seven points, Bailey Richardson had a three-pointer among her five points, Alexa Anderson hit four points and Jenna Anderson and Chelsea Ryan had two apiece.

Los Gatos whipped Paly by 19 later in the week. A. Anderson and Nielson drilled 11 points apiece and Rose and Ju. Anderson had 10 each to lead a balanced scoring attack. Je. Anderson had a three among her seven points, Monica Tomas added four points and Richardson and Ryan each had a free throw.

Gatos closed out the week with the 46-35 win over Gunn. Ju. Anderson had the hot had with 14 points on seven field goals and Rose chipped in with 10 points, including a three. A. Anderson added nine points, Nielson seven, Richardson five and Je. Anderson two. Nielson and Richardson each hit threes.

Boys lose three

The Los Gatos boys remain mired in a last-place tie with Mountain View in the De Anza Division after losing three games last week. The Wildcats fell 56-54 to Fremont, 56-41 to Palo Alto and 59-36 to Gunn to drop to 1-7 in the division.

The Wildcats will try to climb out of last place this week when they host Homestead on Feb. 1, 7 p.m., and Milpitas on Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.

The Cats, 7-15 overall, gave Fremont all it could handle to open the week, but lost by a bucket. Ted Hull led the Cats with 18 points, hitting a pair of three-pointers among his eight field goals. Bret Hampton supported with 13 points and Tommy Morrissey added a pair of threes.

Los Gatos lost by 15 to unbeaten Paly. Hampton had 15 points, including a three, to lead the Cats.

The Cats closed out the week with the 23-point loss to the Titans. Hull finished with 12 points, including two threes.