The Saint Mary’s men’s basketball team is having arguably the best season in program history, as the Gaels have won 12 straight games and are undefeated in WCC play. The Gaels are 22-2 overall and are ranked 13th in the nation. Their next game is Thursday against Gonzaga, who currently sits in second behind the Gaels with two losses. A win on Thursday would almost guarantee the Gaels a regular season league title.

The Saint Mary’s women’s basketball team is fighting to earn a spot in the NCAA tournament, as the Lady Gaels are currently 16-8 overall and 7-4 in the WCC. They are currently fourth in the WCC.

The Lafayette School District will begin the process of updating its Strategic Plan in February to reflect changes in the direction the district plans to go with regards to curriculum, budgeting and other priorities.

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21, beginning at 7:00 p.m., at Happy Valley Elementary School. Parents of students in the Lafayette School District, along with members of the community, are invited to attend, share their ideas and participate in discussions. Those who are unable to attend the meeting but would still like their ideas and recommendations shared have been asked to email shantague@gmail.com.

Campolindo’s boys basketball team improved to 7-0 in DFAL play and 18-2 overall with a 80-53 win over Alhambra. The Acalanes boys team lost to Las Lomas, 57-45, falling to 2-5 in DFAL and 13-8 overall.

The Campolindo and Acalanes girls basketball teams were both dominant in league victories Friday. The Cougars beat Alhambra, 61-35, while the Dons beat Las Lomas, 63-47.

The Acalanes boys soccer team held on to first place in the DFAL with a 2-0 victory over Dougherty Valley. Miramonte boys soccer lost, 2-0, to Alhambra.

The Acalanes, Campolindo and Miramonte girls teams all tied their Friday night games. The Dons tied Dougherty Valley, 2-2, while the Matadors tied Alhambra, 1-1. The Cougars tied Northgate, 1-1, in a nonleague game.

Miramonte’s basketball teams and Campolindo boys soccer had the night off.

Acalanes High School Principal Aida Glimme sent out a message to parents Tuesday warning them of three reported cases of chicken pox at the school in the last week.

According to an Acalanes parent who asked to be unnamed, there have been more than the three reported cases of chicken pox at the school.

In her message, Principal Glimme has asked that students with chicken pox or chicken pox symptoms remain home from school until the rash has crusted over.

Chicken pox is extremely contagious and can be spread two days prior to the rash developing and for as much as a week after the rash appears.

This week is full of big high school rivalry basketball and soccer games that could go a long way toward determining league champions and NCS seeds. All of these games are guaranteed to bring out lots of fans from both schools.

Boys Basketball:
Monday, Jan. 23, 5:30 p.m. – Acalanes at Miramonte
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 5:30 p.m. – Miramonte at Campolindo

Girls Basketball:
Monday, Jan. 23, 7:00 p.m. – Acalanes at Miramonte
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 7:00 p.m. –  Miramonte at Campolindo

Boys Soccer:
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 6:15 p.m. – Campolindo at Acalanes

Girls Soccer:
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 6:15 p.m. – Acalanes at Campolindo

Acalanes High School Principal Aida Glimme sent out a message to parents about a sexual crime committed in the school’s parking lot shortly after school was out on Friday.

A man was seen by students masturbating while watching one of Acalanes’ female students.

The man was described as Caucasian, middle-aged with greying dark hair. Witnesses reported the man leaving in the passenger seat of a white Toyota Camry, while another man drove the vehicle.

The Lafayette Police Department is asking that anyone with additional information about the crime, or who witnesses a similar crime, call their dispatch number immediately at 925-284-5010.

Former Stanley Middle School teacher Michael Merrick has put an end to an ordeal that has caused grief throughout the Stanley community. Merrick took a plea deal, pleading guilty to six of the felony counts against him for the molestation of a student he was tutoring in 2010.

Merrick was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for his crimes.

As part of the plea deal, Merrick had to admit that he had in fact committed the crimes he was charged with. Merrick admitted in court that he had in fact molested the student.

The case was set to go to trial on Monday.

The Campolindo High School Chamber Choir singers will be performing an A Capella Showcase concert on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will take place in the Campolindo Performing Arts Center on campus. Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door beginning at 6:45 p.m. All seating is general admission and is first come first served.

A dessert reception will follow the concert for all in attendance.

The concert will feature a variety of modern popular songs all done in the style of a capella.

For more informtion, visit http://www.campochoir.com.

The Campolindo soccer teams dominated their rivalry with Miramonte Wednesday night, as the girls won at home, 5-0, and the Campolindo boys won at Miramonte, 3-0.

The win by the Campolindo girls ensured they would remain in first place in the DFAL at the halfway point. They are 5-0-1, while second place Dublin is 5-1-0 (their loss coming to Campolindo).

The Campolindo boys sit in second in the DFAL with a record of 4-1-1 behind Acalanes who is 5-0-1. The two teams tied earlier this season. The Miramonte boys sit in fourth place.

While the Miramonte and Acalanes girls teams are unlikely to catch up to compete for the league title, both teams are competing for spots in the NCS playoffs. The Matadors are currently fourth in the DFAL, and the Dons are fifth.

The Miramonte girls continued their early season dominance with a 79-26 win over Alhambra Tuesday night, improving to 2-0 in league and 15-0 overall.

The Miramonte boys won their game against Alhambra, 75-55, improving to 1-1 in DFAL play and 10-4 overall.

The Acalanes boys fell to 0-3 in DFAL play and 11-6 overall after losing a late lead against Dougherty Valley Tuesday night, losing by a score of 52-50.

The Acalanes girls team also continued to struggle, losing, 71-48, to Dougherty Valley.

The Campolindo boys and girls basketball teams had their DFAL byes and did not play on Tuesday. They both face off against Las Lomas on Friday.