CastillejaBasketball.com Official Blog

Gators’ Season Ended by Two-Time Defending State Champs

Castilleja’s historic basketball season concluded Thursday night with a loss to the two-time defending state champion Branson in San Rafael. The Gators, three wins from a state championship, appeared ready for Branson, almost matching them bucket for bucket in the game’s opening minutes. Castilleja would eventually take the lead with three minutes left in the half on a three-point play from Tayo Amos (five points, three rebounds, two steals). The Gators were also bolstered by Laura Rose (six rebounds) who led the team with six first half points, all coming in the 2nd quarter. Branson answered with a 7-0 run the close out the first half with a 23-18 lead. The 3rd quarter saw the Gators go cold as Branson extended their 7-0 run to a 15-1 run with an 8-1 3rd quarter advantage. Castilleja, down 31-19 going into the 4th, was not about to quit and opened the 4th by outscoring Branson 11-4 to pull to within five with help from Natasha von Kaeppler (12 points, eight rebounds) and Eve Zelinger (10 points, eight assists [Castilleja CIF Playoff high]) who each scored eight points in the final frame. Branson held off the Gator spurt with a couple of baskets to push their lead back to nine and were able to dribble out the clock as time ran out on Castilleja and their incredible season. Senior Ericka von Kaeppler, playing in her final Castilleja game, added eight points and team highs of four steals and three blocks. Ericka finishes her high school career as Castilleja’s all-time leader in blocks (271), double-doubles (43), field goal percentage (44.3%), and free throw attempts (534).

Notes: Castilleja’s 18 4th quarter points after 1 3rd quarter point marks the largest increase from 3rd quarter to 4th quarter scoring in school history…Castilleja ties a school record by playing in their 32nd game of the season…Tonight marked the sixth straight contest in which Castilleja’s opponent came into the contest on a winning streak of seven or more games.

Opponents' Win Streaks Coming into Game
Date  Opponent         WS   Result
3/12  Branson          22   Lost 37-44
3/10  Durham           18   Won  51-33
3/07  Pinewood         17   Lost 41-43
3/04  St. Francis CCC   7   Won  35-33
2/28  Anzar             9   Won  54-18
2/21  Pinewood         14   Lost 41-61

Castilleja Victorious in NorCal Debut

Castilleja Basketball continued its deepest postseason journey in school history with a win in its first ever NorCal Playoff game over host Durham Tuesday night. Durham, the North Section Champions, came into the game on an 18-game winning streak having not suffered a loss since December 19. The Trojans brought the energy early, building a lead as large as six and winding up with a four-point halftime advantage as Castilleja struggled to get going on both the offensive and defensive end. Natasha von Kaeppler (10 rebounds, three assists, two steals) led the Gators at the half with nine points, finishing with 13. Castilleja didn’t get going until the third quarter by opening up the second half with six straight points to take the lead at 25-23. The Trojans would remain in the game as they went into the fourth down four. A layup in the final frame brought Durham to within two at 33-35, but the Trojans wouldn’t score again as Castilleja turned up the defensive intensity, outscoring Durham 16-0 to end the game. Eve Zelinger (eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks) sparked Castilleja in the second half by scoring all 14 of her points after intermission including 10 in the 4th quarter. Ericka von Kaeppler (eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, four blocks) also finished with a game-high 14 points, despite picking up her fourth foul in the 3rd quarter. Laura Rose scored six points for the Gators and tied a career-high with three assists while Tayo Amos added four points, two assists, and two steals in the NorCal victory. Castilleja will travel to Branson Thursday night to take on the defending State Champions in the NorCal Semi-Finals.

Notes: Castilleja has now played its last five games against opponents coming into the contest with a winning streak of seven or more…Ericka von Kaeppler joined teammates Eve Zelinger and Natasha von Kaeppler as the only trio in school history to each score 400 points in the same season. Zelinger and Natasha von Kaeppler had already become the first pair of teammates to accomplish that feat.

Castilleja's Previous Five Opponents'
Win Streaks Coming into the Game
Date  Opponent         WS   Result
3/10  Durham           18   Won  51-33
3/07  Pinewood         17   Lost 41-43
3/04  St. Francis CCC   7   Won  35-33
2/28  Anzar             9   Won  54-18
2/21  Pinewood         14   Lost 41-61

Pinewood Edges Castilleja in CCS Championships

Pinewood held off Castilleja to claim the CCS Division V Championship Saturday morning at Santa Clara University. Castilleja came ready to prove they weren’t just happy to be playing in the championships despite their 20-point loss to Pinewood the last time the two teams met. It would become clear after the opening tap that this game would be a far cry from Pinewood’s rout two weeks ago. The two teams, meeting for the fifth time this season, exchanged leads in the 1st quarter before Pinewood built a four-point advantage going into the 2nd. The Gators received four of their 11 1st quarter points from Eve Zelinger (seven points, eight rebounds, eight assists [ties Castilleja CCS high]) who hit her first two shots of the contest. Castilleja would dominate the 2nd frame holding Pinewood to five points (the lowest quarter total Pinewood has ever scored against Castilleja), while Castilleja used a late run to build a two-point halftime advantage. Ericka von Kaeppler (13 rebounds, four steals) would score eight of her game-high 19 points in the 2nd period as Zelinger deferred to the hot hand inside. In the second half, Castilleja would score the first five points, pushing their lead to seven at 27-20. Pinewood responded with a 9-0 run capped off by a three from Jenna McLaughlin. Castilleja didn’t back down and scored the next six points to regain the lead at 33-29. The Gators wouldn’t relinquish the lead until the closing seconds of the quarter when WBAL-Foothill MVP Lindsay Nickel hit a three, giving the Panthers a 35-33 lead going into the 4th. Castilleja remained in the game throughout the 4th and would tie the score at 41 on an Ericka von Kaeppler layup with just over a minute left. Pinewood countered with a layup from Hailie Eackles with 18 seconds left giving Pinewood the lead and the championship as Castilleja couldn’t convert on the offensive end on two tries including a desperation runner by Ericka von Kaeppler at the buzzer. Natasha von Kaeppler finished with a game-high 14 rebounds in the loss. Castilleja will await the results of the CIF NorCal seeding meeting Sunday as their season continues Tuesday night with the school’s first ever NorCal basketball game.

Notes: Eve Zelinger’s eight assists gives her the school’s all-time lead in CCS playoff games as well as a new single-season record breaking Mika Peterman’s mark of 151 in 2002-03…Pinewood outscored Castilleja 13-0 on fastbreak points…Castilleja had won its previous 35 games when leading at halftime…Natasha von Kaeppler becomes the third player in school history to record 100 career blocks.

Gators Advance to First CCS Basketball Championship in School History with Two-Point Win Over St. Francis CCC

Castilleja advanced to its first CCS basketball championship in school history with a two-point win over host St. Francis CCC in the Semi-Finals of the CCS Playoffs. The Gators never trailed in the contest leading by as many as eight. Castilleja was aided by the defense of Tayo Amos and Ericka von Kaeppler (10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, four blocks) who held SCCAL MVP Katherine Brown to nine points. Natasha von Kaeppler took care of the offense for the Gators scoring a game high 18 points while pulling down a Castilleja CCS record 16 rebounds, despite committing three fouls in the game’s opening minutes. Castilleja led at halftime 21-16 and appeared in control as they took the floor in the second half. Castilleja would open up an eight-point lead in the third quarter, but weren’t able to put away the Sharks as St. Francis would outscore Castilleja by five over the middle four minutes of the third, capped off by a three to pull the Sharks with three at 23-26. Tayo Amos answered the St. Francis rally with a deep jumper to put Castilleja back up five. St. Francis would hit a free throw and a runner to pull within two as the as the final seconds of the third quarter loomed. Castilleja would hit a free throw and Natasha von Kaeppler beat the third quarter buzzer with a steal and a layup, pushing Castilleja’s lead back to their halftime advantage of five, erasing the the damage done by St. Francis in the third period. The fourth quarter saw the two teams in a defensive battle as Castilleja appeared as though it finish off the Sharks, leading by seven with five minutes left. Castilleja, however, would not score, over the next 4:30 as St. Francis hit a three with 2:50 left to pull to within four and a jumper with 28 seconds left trimming the Gators’ advantage to two. The Sharks were forced to foul three times to put Natasha von Kaeppler on the line with 10 seconds left. The sophomore calmly sank both free throws sealing the game for the Gators. Castilleja took great care of the ball only committing seven turnovers, none of which were steals. As a result, Castilleja outscored St. Francis 18-0 on points of turnovers. Castilleja will play Pinewood for an unprecidented fifth time this season for the CCS Championship Saturday morning at Santa Clara University. The win also earns Castilleja a trip to their first ever NorCal Playoffs.

Notes: Ericka von Kaeppler becomes the 2nd player in school history to pull down 900 career rebounds…Castilleja is 9-2 all-time when both von Kaeppler sisters record double-doubles…Castilleja had lost its previous 13 games when scoring 35 points or fewer.

Gators Cruise Past Anzar; Advance to Sixth CCS Semis in Seven Years

Castilleja snapped Anzar’s nine game winning streak to advance to their sixth CCS Semi-Finals in seven years with a win at St. Francis CCC Saturday night. The Gators put the game away early thanks to a 22-0 run bridging the first and second quarters. In that first quarter, Castilleja saw its two leading scorers, Eve Zelinger (12 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks) and Natasha von Kaeppler (16 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three steals), go for ten and eight points respectively. Ericka von Kaeppler waited her turn and would catch fire during the 2nd and 3rd quarters, scoring eight points apiece in the two periods, finishing with a game high 18. Ericka also pulled down 15 rebounds, tying the school’s all-time CCS Playoff game mark. As a team, Castilleja tied a school record by pulling down 61 rebounds, a new record 41 coming on the offensive boards. Laura Martinez and Jane Larkins each recorded new career highs with ten and seven rebounds respectively in the victory. Castilleja will take the court again Wednesday night when they play host St. Francis CCC in a rematch of the 2006-07 CCS Quarter-Finals.

Notes: Anzar’s 18 points is an all-time low for a Castilleja opponent in a CCS Playoff game…Castilleja attempted 82 field goals, the second most in a game in school history…Castilleja outrebounded Anzar 61-18…Castilleja outscored Anzar 36-3 on points off turnovers.

Four Castilleja Players Named to All-League Teams

Four Castilleja players have been selected to the West Bay Athletic League Foothill Division All-League Teams for the 2008-09 season. Tayo Amos (Honorable Mention), Ericka von Kaeppler (1st Team), Natasha von Kaeppler (2nd Team), and Eve Zelinger (1st Team) were all named to an all-league team as voted on by the coaches this week. For Amos, it is her first all-league selection. Ericka von Kaeppler is awarded her fourth all-league selection and third 1st Team selection. Natasha von Kaeppler’s all-league selection is her second in just her sophomore year. Zelinger’s nod is her third all-league honor, all of which have either been as the league’s MVP or 1st Team selection.

Castilleja Can’t Slow Down Pinewood; Await CCS Seeding Results

Pinewood won its 15th consecutive game with a victory over host Castilleja in the Final Round of the WBAL Playoffs Saturday night. The Panthers, who were the designated home team thanks to their perfect league record, found themselves in a tight battle with the Gators early in the first quarter. With Pinewood leading 8-6, Castilleja’s Natasha von Kaeppler (18 points, 16 rebounds [season high], three assists, two steals) exited the game with a bloody nose. Pinewood took full advantage of von Kaeppler’s absence and went on an 18-3 run ballooning their lead from two to 17. Pinewood cruised into halftime with a 19-point lead as Castilleja failed to challenge Pinewood on the perimeter allowing senior Lindsey Nickel to score 17 of her game high 27 points in the first two periods. In the second half, Natasha von Kaeppler came out on fire scoring ten of her team high 18 points in the third period. However, the damage had already been done, and Castilleja was only able to play even with Pinewood for the final 16 minutes allowing Pinewood to add a single point to their halftime advantage. Though they were outrebounded 42-20, the Panthers took advantage of Castilleja’s 25 turnovers outscoring Castilleja 19-4 in points off turnovers. Pinewood also put on a display in ball movement as 19 of their 23 field goals were assisted. Castilleja senior Ericka von Kaeppler, likely playing the in the final home game of her career, paced the Gators with 13 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Eve Zelinger (four points, six rebounds, three assists, three blocks) became the school’s all-time leader in assists passing Mika Peterman who previously held the record with 338 career dishes.

Notes: Castilleja held their opponent scoreless on 2nd chance points for the second consecutive game outscoring Pinewood 13-0…Castilleja shot 21% from the field in the 1st half and 48% in the 2nd half.

Castilleja Beats SHP; Advance to WBAL Finals to Face Pinewood for Fourth Time

Castilleja clinched it’s first 20-win season since 2003-04 with a victory over visiting Sacred Heart Prep in the Semi-Final Round of the WBAL Playoffs Friday night. Castilleja jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter and controlled the game for much of the first half while Sacred Heart Prep remained within striking distance. In the second half, Castilleja was paced by Eve Zelinger (13 points, five rebounds, three asssits, two steals), who seemed to answer each Sacred Heart score with a bucket of her own. Sacred Heart Prep, already missing senior Gabby Micek, their leading scorer, lost Morgan Aitken-Young to a disqualification as she fouled five times in the third quarter. In the fourth, Castilleja looked as though it would put the game away as Natasha von Kaeppler (eight points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals) hit a layup with five minutes left to put Castilleja up ten, 33-23. Sacred Heart’s Morgan Aitken-Young responded by draining back-to-back long-distance three’s to draw the visiting Gators to within four, putting the pressure back on Castilleja. The homestanding Gators answered back with an Eve Zelinger layup off a crisp pass from Ericka von Kaeppler (six points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, three blocks) pushing Castilleja’s lead back to six. Sacred Heart Prep would once again pull to within four, but would draw no closer as Tayo Amos (five rebounds, two assists) sank a deep jumper for two of her career high tying six points. A pair of Sacred Heart Prep free throws got the final margin to four as Castilleja would hold on for their sixth WBAL Playoff victory in seven games all-time.

Notes: Eve Zelinger’s three assists leaves her one shy of Mika Peterman’s all-time career record of 338…Castilleja’s 37 points ties an all-time low when scoring at least eight points in each quarter.

Castilleja Overcomes 15-Point Deficit; Advance to WBAL Semi-Finals

Castilleja ended Menlo’s eight game winning streak Thursday night with a win over the Knights in the Quarter-Final Round of the WBAL Playoffs. The Gators found themselves down by 15 points, trailing Menlo 20-5 in the second quarter as Castilleja failed to slow down Menlo sharpshooter Jackie Shepard. The Gators would respond with a 9-0 run the close the lead to six, but Shepard answered with her fourth three of a first half in which she would score 20. Eve Zelinger (16 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals) responded with a three of her own in the closing seconds of the half as the Gators trailed by just six at the break. In the second half, Castilleja would put the clamps defensively on Shepard as they continued the comeback. While Shepard was held scoreless in the third, Castilleja would receive timely buckets from seniors Laura Martinez (six points, one assist, one steal) and Ericka von Kaeppler (13 points, eight rebounds, three assists, five steals, two blocks). Zelinger would eventually tie the score at 27 with another trey as Castilleja headed into the fourth with a slim one-point advantage. After Menlo tied the game at 33 in the opening minutes of the fourth, the Gators reeled off 14 straight points, dashing Menlo’s hopes for an upset. Aided by Zelinger and Natasha von Kaeppler (12 points, 11 rebounds, career highs 10/14 FTs) sinking their first ten free throws in the final period, Castilleja completed the biggest comeback in school history, overcoming a 15-point deficit. Menlo outshot Castilleja from the floor, but it was the Knights’ 27 turnovers and only one offensive rebound that allowed Castilleja to attempt 14 more shots. The Gators turned the ball over a season low-tying eight times. Tayo Amos tied a career high nine rebounds in the win.

Notes: Menlo’s only two road losses of the year have come against Castilleja…Castilleja outscored Menlo 44-15 after trailing 20-5 in the 2nd quarter…Eve Zelinger became to third player in school history to pull down 600 career rebounds and the second player to record 200 career steals. Zelinger’s 16 points are the most in school history without a two-point field goal.

Gators Hold Off Mercy San Francisco for Another Senior Night Win

Castilleja won it’s ninth consecutive Senior Night and clinched 2nd place in the WBAL – Foothill Division away from visiting Mercy San Francisco Friday night. The Skippers of Mercy came ready to prove that their 30-point loss to Castilleja weeks ago was an aberration and found themselves in a nip-and-tuck game with the score tied at 24 at halftime. The Gators did all they could to pull away from Mercy, building a six point lead going into the final frame. Castilleja would eventually push the lead to nine with five minutes left, but the Skippers refused to quit. Mercy would pull to within two in the final minute aided by senior Ericka von Kaeppler (14 points, 11 rebounds, eight blocks) fouling out with 2 ½ remaining, but clutch free throws from senior Laura Martinez (six points) and junior Eve Zelinger (19 points, eight assists, three steals) salvaged the game for Castilleja. Senior Natalie Vais recorded new career highs in the victory with six points, three assists, and a block.

Notes: Eve Zelinger hit her 500th career field goal in the game, joining Mika Peterman as the only other player in school history with 500 career baskets…Ericka von Kaeppler recorded her 40th career double-double while becoming the first player in school history to record 100 blocks in a single season…Sophomore Natasha von Kaeppler became the fastest player to record 500 career rebounds reaching that milestone in only 49 games…Castilleja and Mercy San Francisco scored 22 and 20 4th quarter points respectively, marking the first quarter in Castilleja School history in which both teams tallied 20 or more points.

Games Needed to Accumulate 500 Career Rebounds
Player                          Games
Natasha von Kaeppler, 2007-     49
Ericka von Kaeppler, 2005-      56
Nikki Perlman, 2001-2005        61
Eve Zelinger, 2006-             62
Lindsay Taylor, 2004-2008       74
Kate Vander Ploeg, 2001-2004    80