San Ramon Valley showcased their explosive fast-break offense to secure a 70-49 victory over Carondelet, earning their fourth consecutive East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) title. The game took place on February 13, 2026, at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, California.
The Wolves started slowly but picked up momentum in the second quarter, executing a 14-0 run that forced a timeout from the Cougars. This surge set the tone for the rest of the game, as San Ramon Valley maintained a comfortable lead throughout, never allowing Carondelet to come closer than eight points.
“We get so excited, and we just know that it”s our game,” stated guard Alyssa Rudd, who played with three fouls but still contributed significantly to the team”s success. “We carry it out from there, that fire. We”re so happy.” The Wolves were able to channel their energy and joy into their play, reminiscent of the peak days of the Golden State Warriors.
Carondelet struggled against San Ramon Valley”s perimeter shooting, particularly a corner three-pointer from Hania Bowes that energized the home crowd and extended the Wolves” lead into double digits. Carondelet coach Kelly Sopak acknowledged the difficulty of defending against a team that can spread the floor effectively. “It”s tough because they get to their spots,” he remarked. “They cause problems.”
The Wolves demonstrated their depth, with seven players contributing to the score, and three reaching double figures. The team”s ball movement was reminiscent of a well-oiled machine, with the players feeding off the energy from a spirited student section in the packed gymnasium.
“We”ve been battling cold and flu all week,” said Wolves coach John Cristiano. “Some of these girls missed practices, but once we got going, I knew we had it.” This victory marked the ninth consecutive win for San Ramon Valley over Carondelet, solidifying their status as the premier team in the East Bay.
Carondelet made a late effort to close the gap, trimming the deficit to eight points late in the third quarter, but San Ramon Valley responded with another offensive surge. Bowes hit another three-pointer, followed by a layup from Ella Gunderson, prompting the Wolves to stretch their lead once more.
Rudd added to the scoring with a driving layup and a fast-break finish, pushing the lead to 16 points. Despite Cristiano urging his team to slow down, they continued to push the pace, knowing their speed gave them a significant advantage. “We really work on transition,” Rudd explained. “We know we”re one of the fastest teams.”
Bowes led all scorers with 23 points, while Gunderson added 20. Rudd contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. For Carondelet, Niylah Christopher led with 17 points and Olivia Smith chipped in 11.
The Wolves celebrated their victory with students rushing the court to congratulate Rudd and her teammates. With the EBAL championship secured, San Ramon Valley is poised to make a strong playoff push as they head into the NCS playoffs.
