Eagles basketball made history this season. Advancing to the semi-finals of CCS for the first time in school history and becoming only the second Los Altos boy’s basketball team to go undefeated in league play, Los Altos had one of its most successful seasons.

The last time LAHS went undefeated in league play was the same year in which Stevie Wonder released one of his most popular songs, ‘Superstition.’ The iconic “Godfather” won best picture at the Academy awards, and the price of gas was 36 cents a gallon. The year was 1972 and the Los Altos Knights went undefeated in league play. They went on to have an overall record 24-5 and stood as the only undefeated basketball team in Los Altos history for 40 years.

Fast forward to 2012, and the Los Altos Eagles have become the second undefeated team in
school history, finishing with 19-8 overall record and a 12-0 record in league play. Los Altos
went on to exceed expectations and make it all the way to the CCS semi-finals. After upsetting the number one seeded Westmoor in the quarterfinals of CCS, the Eagles lost a heartbreaking game to Willow Glen 59-57. The season was ended, but the legacy and the impact will be felt on campus.

This year, Los Altos basketball was about more than just the games. It was about developing a new culture for both the team and the fans.

“It was clear from day one that Coach had a plan of transforming this program,” senior Kieran Stolorz said. “He shared with us a vision of a strong, community based environment at our games where eventually our home games would be standing room only, and we’d have children and parents that don’t even go to LAHS come to support us.”

Former JV coach Bob McFarlane has made an immediate impact. He was made the new varsity coach and brought an unprecedented intensity and passion for the game which had seemed to be lacking in previous seasons. At any game, fans witnessed coach McFarlane pacing the lengths of the sidelines and firing up his players. The players fed off of his intensity and brought that passion onto the court.

“His intensity in pregame speeches directly translated to the intensity in warm-ups and on the court,” junior Bryan Lai said. “It was a key, undervalued component in our success.”

The culture for the fans was also reenergized. The Blue Crew i n s t a n t l y had a huge impact on the school and basketball team. Students packed the crowds decked out in blue, excited to cheer for the Eagles.

“And even though it was heavily emphasized, I don’t think any of us expected Blue Crew to take off so well in its first year,” Kieran said.

“Coach McFarlane has definitely changed the culture here, and it’s obvious that this program is headed in a great direction.”

The Eagles did much more than just have a winning season. They created a new atmosphere and set new standards for Los Altos athletics and spirit.

“We want LAHS to be known as a basketball powerhouse in this area, and have basketball be a tradition, not just a hobby,” Kieran said. “I think these goals are realistic, and we are well on our way towards gaining regional, and eventually statewide respect.”

Although crushed by their heartbreaking elimination from CCS, the Eagles are hopeful and excited for next year. The team will return three of the five starters that helped the Eagles have success. The team will lose senior leaders, but expectations have been raised and they intend on having another great season.

“We are looking to build on the success of last year,” sophomore Daniel Rosenbaum said.