Lamorinda High School Basketball Post Season Report
By Conrad Bassett
Davis Louie (24) and Spencer McDonald (2) of Miramonte try to stop Campo guard Carl King (10) from scoring Photo Jordan Fong
The early season predictions for Lamorinda's high school basketball teams came true.
On the boys' side, Campolindo, Acalanes and Miramonte finished the DFAL regular season top in the standings, taking first, second and third place, respectively, in the seven-team league and for the girls, Miramonte, Campolindo and Acalanes all qualified for the NCS playoffs.
The Campolindo boys earned the number three seed in NCS play with its 22-4 regular season record and whipped Hercules in the first round on February 23rd, 59-33.
Senior Kellen Ito led all scorers and rebounders with 14 and 12 respectively. Acalanes (16-10) held the number five seed and beat Sir Francis Drake (San Anselmo) 63-50 behind senior Corey Collins 17 points. Miramonte (15-12) blasted Elsie Allen in their first round game in the 16 team tournament, 65-48, led by senior Chris Hatfield's 23 points.
On Friday, Acalanes traveled to El Cerrito and the Gauchos ended the Dons' season, winning 55-40, while Miramonte headed across town for their third meeting of the year with rival Campolindo.
The third time turned out to be the charm and Miramonte upset Campolindo.
Campolindo had beaten the Mats handily in the first two meetings. Miramonte came out strong in this game and scored first. Other than a 26-26 tie, the Mats led the entire game.
Hatfield scored the game's first four points on his way to a 24 point night. Other than Cougar's senior Pat Wirth's rainbow three, the Mats dominated the first quarter with senior Davis Louie adding five points and a couple of assists.
The Cougars rallied in the second period. In the first four-plus minutes of the second quarter, senior Brian Sanders notched five points and junior Carl King added two baskets as Campolindo sliced the 15-3 lead to 17-14. The Mats led 23-16 at the intermission.
The Cougars clawed their way back in when, following a Louie three, Wirth and King hit back-to-back threes and Ito recorded a basket to tie the game at 26. Hatfield answered with two more scores and the Mats did not look back. In the fourth period, Miramonte padded their lead before senior Brian Sanders hit a step back three to cut the lead to 39-37. Miramonte refused to give in and the final score was 57-45.
The Mats earned the opportunity to travel on March 3rd to visit #2 seed Analy (Sebastopol) who will come into the game with a 27-1 record. The win also assured them of a spot in the Northern California playoffs that start the week of March 8. A year ago, Analy beat Miramonte in overtime for the NCS championship.
The girls had just as much success in the post season.
The Miramonte girls were the #3 seed and earned a first round bye. They traveled to Analy last Friday night. The Lady Mats held off the Tigers 55-52 behind senior Stephanie Golden's 15 points and ten rebounds and are all set for their rubber match at league champion Dougherty Valley on March 3rd.
Acalanes, seeded 11th, hit the road to Alameda to face the Encinal Jets and fell 83 to 53. Senior Emani Harrison led the Lady Dons with 16 points.
Campolindo was the #4 seed and surprisingly also hosted the Hercules Titans in a rare NCS doubleheader featuring teams from the same schools. They scored early and often and won 73-29. Sophomore Annelise Ito had 16 points and seven rebounds. Campolindo's opponent on Friday at home was Sir Francis Drake (San Anselmo). This game between the Cougars and Pirates was close. There were 14 ties and 13 lead changes in a game where, until the last 30 seconds, no team led by more than six points.
The last lead change came at the 2:34 mark of the fourth when Ito hit a basket and Campo had a 64-62 lead. They held off Drake, 74-69. Four Cougars scored in double figures as senior Meghan Ringer had 15, sophomore Mallory Brown and junior Amanda Forshay each had 14, and junior Annie Ward added 12. Brown and Ward combined for 19 of Campolindo's huge 26 point fourth period.
The Lady Cougars will head to Chabot College on March 3rd for a matchup with the number one seed Bishop O'Dowd Dragons. If the Mats and Cougars can each win they will also meet for the third time this season. Regardless, both have qualified for trips to the Northern California CIF championships.
Annelise Ito (5) notched 16 points to help the Cougars defeat
Hercules last week. Photo Andy Scheck
Miramonte celebrates at mid court after beating Campo in the second round of the NCS playoffs Photo Jordan Fong
Chris Hatfield (14) of Miramonte takes a jumper over Campo’s Adam Mancebo (14) Photo Jordan Fong
On the boys' side, Campolindo, Acalanes and Miramonte finished the DFAL regular season top in the standings, taking first, second and third place, respectively, in the seven-team league and for the girls, Miramonte, Campolindo and Acalanes all qualified for the NCS playoffs.
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA