One, he wanted to track down a third, consistent scorer to compliment Yash Malik and Michael Costello.

And two, he wanted to see his team’s defense continue to improve.

So in three games at the Surf and Slam, the Scots accomplished the latter of Low’s goals and Mduduzi Hlatshwayo might be the answer to the coach’s second wish.

Carlmont won the Surf and Slam in San Diego, taking down Piedmont High School 60-48 in the final. Malik led the Scots in scoring with 19 and Costello added 14.

But it was Hlatshwayo — who scored 10 in the final — that opened a lot of eyes. The point guard in known for his defense. But in the win, Hlatshwayo proved he could put the ball in the basket.

Still, the star of the Carlmont’s 10-1 preseason has been its defense. At the Surf and Slam Tournament, the Scots held Sentinal High School to 37 points. No Scot was in double-figure scoring — but that didn’t matter in a the win. They followed that defensive clinic by limiting Scripps Ranch to 31 points in a 15-point win. Malik scored 11 points in that win and Costello led the scoring charge with 18 points.

Elsewhere around the county, Sacred Heart Prep’s 11-point win over Mountain View was highlighted by Matt Galliani, who scored 20 points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers in the process. He followed that with a 14-point day againt St. Stephens of Texas. Corbin Koch added 10 points in that 55-45 win for the Gators.

At the Sobrato Bulldog Chase Holiday Tournament, Hillsdale beat Burton of San Francisco 60-42. Angelo Bautista led the way for the Knights with 11 points and Dante Fonetnot added 10. But Hillsdale could not overcome a five-point first quarter against Santa Teresa and, despite 14 from Bautista and 11 by Fonetnot, the Knights lost.

Something about that loss must have angered Bautista though.

In the third place game against Christopher High School, Bautista hadr 41 points, hitting six from the Land of Three in a 67-36 win.

For Serra, the two-headed scoring machine that is Jacqui Biggins and Henry Caruso continues to lead the Padres as they get closer to the WCAL part of the schedule. Against, Dougherty Valley at the American Tournament, Caruso scored 23 and Biggins added 16. Then against Pittsburgh High School, Biggins was held in check, but not Caruso, who led the Padres with 15 points. Eddie Stansberry picked up the slack with 14 points.

The Menlo boys’ basketball team took a 56-50 victory over Diamond Ranch of Pomona on the third day of Desert Holiday Classic on Friday night in Palm Springs.

Ryan Young again had a big performance for the Knights with 17 points.

Mikey Diekroeger provided a boost off the bench, finishing with 12 points and six "big-time rebounds” in traffic.

The Knights put together their best half of basketball early. Diamond Ranch started with a 5-0 run before Menlo recovered and took a 32-19 halftime lead. In the third quarter the pace picked up as both teams found offensive rhythm, and Menlo held 46-35 to start the fourth quarter.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

San Mateo had an off-day offensively against Westmont High School in a 61-33 loss. Only four players found the score sheet with Ofa Tuipulotu leading the way with 13 points and Nicole Chenoweth contributed with 10.

But the Bearcats regained their form against Castilleja with Alana Simon scoring 16 points in a four-point win.

Sacred Heart Prep had no difficulties with Valley Christian of Roseville in a 55-30 win. Helen Gannon paced the Gators with 10 points. And while it might have been a rare off-day for the Holland sisters, Meghan and Melissa got right back on track against Monta Vista Christian — albeit in a 55-50 loss. The Hollands scored 15 points each.

Melissa Holland stayed hot in the third round of the Mountain View tournament. She scored 17 points. Gannon got back into double figures in the 22-point victory. She scored 11.

There were plenty of highlights out of the Steve Geramoni Invitational last week. In a 44-point beatdown of Waldorf High School, Becca Grigg of Notre Dame-Belmont scored 26 points, had 10 steals and five assists.

The new era in Menlo-Atherton girls’ basketball is moving forward steadily. The Bears took down Fremont High School of Oakland 44-39. Erin LaPorte led the way with 13 points including three 3-pointers.