The decline of SHP

[colhenrylives]

In an unprecedented, delayed, virus-troubled 2020-21 basketball season, a former California prep power has fallen on very hard times. The girls' program at Sacred Heart Prep of Atherton is at its nadir as this strange, truncated campaign winds down. The Gators are not just winless; they are not competitive against their traditional rivals in the strong West Bay Athletic League. Example A: Pinewood crushed SHP, 84-17, not long ago; then, last week, SHP forfeited the rematch (precise reasons for the forfeit were not announced). To refresh some memories, a generation ago, SHP was the top girls' program in the entire state, winning multiple CIF titles and, along the way, a state-record 88 victories in a row. They were ranked among the best teams in the U.S. On one of those units back in the 1990's, the Gators featured no fewer than eight Division I scholarship players who would attend such schools as Nevada-Reno, Cal, Colorado and Virginia. They were the California gold standard. No longer.

 

[ClayK]

It definitely goes in cycles. Campolindo, once a state power and not that long ago a quality regional team, has only 15 girls in its entire program.

The good news is things can change; the bad news is it takes time and lots and lots of work.

 

[colhenrylives]

SHP actually does have a 6-3 center who is ticketed for UC Davis but she isn't playing basketball for the Gators at this time. Why? Unknown.

 

[scvalfan]

I would assume those athletes are now attending Pinewood? It seems like a fairly logical lateral move from one $46, 000 a year school to another. Paly and M-A have also done a nice job of building solid girls hoops programs, so maybe families are opting for the public school route as well.

 

[GBBall4L]

In all due respect talents like Renee Robinson, Kobie Kennon and Jenny Circle don't just grow on trees. They had some top tier talent there back in the day. Looks like they don't really give a damn about the girls program any longer for whatever reason. Do they provide financial assistance for athletes with qualifying academics? 46k a year is a hefty price for anyone I would think. Geez.

 

[colhenrylives]

Geez indeed. It could be worse, though. Crystal Springs Uplands in Hillsborough will have a $54,500 tuition in 2021-22. Gadzooks. Time for a third mortgage on the old Fawlty Towers.

 

[scvalfan]

SHP also benefitted from a public school transfer that ended up being CCS Player of the Year- that always helps. Monta Vista lost four straight Division 1 finals during that stretch, twice to SHP, and twice to AMHS. The Clark sisters were phenomenal athletes, and fun to watch, on those MV teams. That Division 1 bracket was a de facto "Open Division".