The Don’s were back at home Wednesday evening facing the College Park Falcons in a game that was not for the faint of heart. Acalanes started with Zubin Acuna, Dominic Sarica, Nathan Bennett, Koleton Fenton and Ethan Torres on the floor. Acuna quickly took over the scoring making 5 of the 9 points scored in the quarter. Koleton won the opening tip and directed the ball to Zubin who started a fast break and was fouled and made one of two free throws. Koleton made a power move to the basket on the right side and scored. Zubin stole the ball on the next possession and finished over the front of the rim for two points. He was then fouled on a fast break making two more free throws. Levi Rudin tied up his College Park opponent and forced a turnover on a jump ball. Nathan Bennett rounded out the quarter hitting a nifty five foot push shot over outstretched arms for a basket. Dons were down 9-17.
It was apparent by this point that the Falcons came ready to play. They worked their offense and got open shots and drives to the basket. Coach James introduced some adjustments and it paid off with hard nose defense and Justin Zegarowski started the scoring with a three pointer. Working the ball inside Bennett Dodge was fouled at the rim making both free throws. Stepping up the defensive intensity, Eli Brent stole the ball taking away another possession from the Falcons. Jack Bayless scored on a pull up jumper in the lane and Zegarowski was again fouled in the bonus making one of two free throws. The Falcons were playing a very physical brand of basketball and the Dons were not having it. Dodge was fouled and made them pay by hitting two key free throws.
Bennett then followed with a monster smashing block on a Falcon who thought he was going up strong only to be turned away. Dodge then ran down the court and fought his way to two more points in the paint, turned around and played defense in the back court, tying up a Falcon and forcing a jump ball. He was not done yet, Dodge was fouled with 8 seconds left in the 2nd quarter and hit both free throws in the bonus with the score 21-23 in favor of the Falcons. But why stop there? Jack Bayless cut through the lane, got fouled with eight tenths of a second on the clock and then hit both free throws for a tie game at the half 23-23!
The third and fourth quarter were a blur and saying they were emotion packed would be an understatement. Fans were probably wondering if they were watching basketball or rugby played out on the floor. Playing tough, Koleton Fenton scored two free throws after being fouled to take the lead 25-23. Nathan Bennett blocked a shot on the defensive end and the Dons kept the momentum going. Bennett Dodge hit a turn around jumper off an offensive rebound for two points. Landon Santos added a three pointer to retie the game at 30 to 30. Coco Gannon came up with three defensive rebounds against the Falcons on three trips down the floor to put the “one and done” phrase to good use.
The Falcons however would not go away and continued to find ways to score once again taking the lead. At this point, Eli Brent entered the game and had something to say about the Falcons physical nature of play. Eli Swished a three pointer from the left wing, was fouled pulling an offensive rebound and hit one of two free throws and absorbed another hard foul sending him to the line making another free throw. The score was now 35-36 with the Falcons on top, but not for long. Jack Bayless coasted through the defense and made another quarter ending layup to put the Dons ahead 37-36 to end the third.
The 4th quarter was no place for those who did not come to rock the gym. Jack Bayless took a very hard foul and punished the Falcons by making both free throws. Jack then drove end to end for another score before College Park could get set on defense. The Dons were now making a statement and putting their mark on the game. Eli Brent was fouled driving on the right wing and then was fouled again bringing the ball up the floor under intense pressure by the desperate Falcons. Eli made one of two free throws in the bonus. The score was now 42-36. To cap off a victorious night at home Justin Zegarowski was fouled with 3.7 seconds left and made both free throws. 44-38 in favor of the Dons!
HIGH SCORERS: Bennett Dodge (10). Eli Brent (6) and Justin Zegarowski(6)
JV game is Thursday night on the road against Northgate at 5:15 PM.