Both Sequoia and Carlmont high schools went into the 2013 CCS boys' basketball playoffs unseeded and came out with victories Tuesday night to kick off first round action in Division I.

The Scots traveled to Santa Clara and took down the home team 51-44, extending head coach Dave Low's stay at the helm for Carlmont at least another game.

"I thought the key was Yash Malik hitting those three 3-pointers in the first quarter," Low said. "That set the tone offensively for us."

Malik finished with 14 points while Michael Costello led the Scots with 20 huge points.

Defensively Carlmont held Santa Clara to just five points in the first period and eight in the fourth. "We really clamped down on their best shooters," Low said. Carlmont takes on No. 7 Milpitas next on Thursday night.

Sequoia, also unseeded, took down No. 11 Independence High School XX-XX. The Cherokees will visit No. 6 Fremont next.

Also in Division I action, Menlo-Atherton could not overcome a scrappy Wilcox team. The No. 9 seeded Bears fell 61-54. "They're a very athletic team," M-A head coach Mike Molieri said of Wilcox. "And we had to get our of game plan early with such a high-scoring game. I was proud of the way we came back but give Wilcox credit. They're a good team."

Over in Division III, No. 11 Terra Nova defended its home court and took down Sobrato 66-62. It was one of those game where the Tigers were forced to hit clutch free throws down the stretch to hold off Sobrato. Jaylend Jones was a perfect 10 for 10 from the charity stripe.

"We were able to pound the ball inside," said Terra Nova head coach Kenny Milch. "And we did a good job on the boards. And then, we hit some timely 3's." The Tigers take on No. 6 Aptos in the second round, Thursday.

In girls' basketball action, No. 9 Menlo-Atherton trounced Independence 53-25. Erin LaPorte and Katherine Hayse hit 3-pointers on M-A's first two possessions and the Bears never looked back.

Emma Heath scored eight of her game-high 13 points in the first quarter as the Bears built a 20-6 lead after one period and led by 23 at the half.

LaPorte finished with 10 points for M-A while Dana Nguyen led the 76ers with eight.

The ninth-seeded Bears travel to No. 8 Milpitas on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the second round action.

No. 10 Terra Nova took down Del Mar 54-33 in Division III play.

"We played solid defense," said Terra Nova head coach Kareem Summerville. "Today was more of team win. We made the extra passes and got some easy lay-ups on the back door. It was a well-balanced game."

Lynette Mackey led the way with 19 points. Sophomore Arianna Sheehy scored 15 while Autumn Ragler added nine. The Tigers travel to No. 7 Saratoga on Thursday night.

In boys' Division III soccer action, Sacred Heart Prep got two timely headers by Robert Hellman to overcome a one-goal deficit and beat No. 12 Carmel 2-1.

The Gators are the No. 5 seed in DIII and will take on either No. 13 Santa Cruz or No. 4 San Mateo in the quarterfinals.