San Ramon Valley connects the inside and outside en route to a 25-1 start

The Wolves show off usual skill sets, add a defensive mindset but it's their connection and generosity off the court that perhaps keys a near-perfect season

There's the crisp passing and unselfish teamwork, eighth-year San Ramon Valley girls basketball coach John Cristiano says. There's the lights-out shooting and vastly improved defense. 

There's the poise and leadership of his eight seniors, and the injection of energy and skills from freshmen and sophomore players. 

All of it has led to surprising and impressive 25-1 start to the 2023-24 season. The Wolves are ranked 11th in the state according to SBLive Sports and No. 2 in the NorCal Coast (combined North Coast, Central Coast, Oakland and San Francisco sections). Last week they won their third straight undefeated East Bay Athletic League regular season title.  

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But what moves Cristiano the most, he says, are the communications — the constant texts, emails and even phone calls from the Danville community. The messages aren't just about how the Wolves play, but how they behave, share and interact. 

"I can't count all of them," Cristiano said. "From people I don't even know. They tell me how one of our girls have been kind and welcoming to their young son or daughter. Or they'll pass on generally what good role models they are. 

"I tell you, we've been very, very fortunately to be surrounded by incredible young ladies, who continue to grow the culture of the program with constant displays of compassion, generosity, team work and hard work. 

"I think that's what I'm most proud of with this group and all the ones they followed." 

Considering they've won 170 of 197 games over the last seven seasons, the Wolves are awfully successful on the court as well. Cristiano believes it's all connected.  

After every game, the Wolves take a team picture, showing off their all-for-one, one-for-all spirit / Photo: Joe Cristiano

Defensive gems

They open the East Bay Athletic League playoffs Thursday against defending North Coast Section Division 1 champion Monte Vista averaging 67 points per game while allowing 34.4 against many of the best teams in the San Francisco Bay Area.  

The Wolves have given up more than 40 points just eight times all season, allowed in the 20s five times and three times limited opponents in the teens. Against Metro ranked teams they’ve really locked down in wins over Oakland Tech (64-37), Marin Catholic-Kentfield (61-31), California-San Ramon (77-30) and No. 23 Carondelet-Concord (46-39).

“Defense is a state of mind and these girls have revitalized their efforts on that end of the court,” Cristiano said.

Their best effort might have been Saturday in a 60-35 win over Central Section No. 2 St. Joseph-Santa Maria at the Caruthers Showcase. Southern Utah-signee point guard Sierra Chambers had 16 points, Avery Knapp had 11 and Tera Chen 10.

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Cal-bound Sofia Bowes, a 5-foot-10 wing, helped hold 6-2 UCLA-bound senior Avery Cain, the nation’s No. 24 recruit (according to ESPN) to 12 points, about half her season average.

“That was some of the best defense we’ve ever played to hold (Cain) down,” Cristiano said.

Leading scorers Bowes and Chambers — along with other five seniors that include Amanda Kerner (Claremont McKenna bound) and Avery Knapp (Cal Poly) — drives the team engine, which Cristiano expected heading into the season. 

It’s been the injection of energy and strong play from freshmen Ella Gunderson, Carly Stern and Hania Bowes that has vaulted the Wolves to the near perfect season — it’s only loss was Dec. 1 to St. Mary’s-Stockton (53-48).

From L-R: Tera Chen, Avery Knapp, Hania Bowes, Amanda Kerner and Sierra Chambers cheering on teammates during another Wolves' victory.  / Photo: Joe Cristiano

Over the moon

Since then, SRV has won 23 straight and will likely have a rematch with Carondelet in this week’s EBAL playoffs. The Wolves have already clinched the league title and likely No. 1 seed in next week’s NCS Open Division playoffs. 

Despite that, the Wolves — like every other team in Northern California — is largely thriving in somewhat obscurity. That's because of the long and deep shadow cast by the nation's No. 1 team, Archbishop Mitty.

The Monarchs are 22-0 and en route to match the greatest season in Bay Area history — the 33-0 Sacred Heart Cathedral team of 2007-08 that finished No. 1 in the country.

Mitty, led by McDonald’s All-American Morgan Cheli, one of the nation’s top sophomores McKenna Woliczko and Hall of Fame coach Sue Phillips, already won the Nike Tournament of Champions — regarded as the best in the country — and have doubled their opponents’ score on the season, 1,702-789.

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“You could take the 10 best players off the 10 best teams in Northern California to form one team and you still couldn’t beat (Mitty) this year,” Cristiano said. “They’re that good.”

But Cristiano isn’t crying, complaining or concerned with any of it.

He’s over the moon with his under-the-radar Wolves, a bright and enthusiastic bunch who have excelled despite a season-ending injury to 6-foot senior shooting guard Paige Baldyga, out for the season with an ACL tear. "Big loss," Cristiano said. "She had made significant gains over the spring and summer. Real shame." 

A pair of others — Sienah Alexander and Catherine Clemente — have also gone down with a season-ending knee injuries. But the team's deep bench, cohesion and closeness, aided also by Ava Horrocks (UC Davis lacrosse commit) and Rachael Setiawan, they've barely missed a beat. 

It's one heartbeat, Cristiano said, and its strong and constant. 

"We knew we had a great group of players and girls coming into the season," Cristiano said. "But to be 25-1 and a couple of turnovers and five points from being 26-0? No way." 

Amanda Kerner will play at Claremont McKenna College next season / Photo: Joe Cristiano

Ava Horrocks (23) displays the kind of fervent spirit often shared on the San Ramon Valley bench.  / Photo: Joe Cristiano

From L-R: Ava Horrocks, Sofia Bowes and Sienah Alexander after clinching a third straight East Bay Athletic League title last week.  / Photo: Joe Cristiano