The Acalanes JV Basketball team took on Oakland Tech Bulldogs on the road Tuesday evening. Once again the Dons got off to a slow start against a team that pressed on defense and hit open shots. Acalanes was down 9-20 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter Acalanes outscored the Bulldogs 16 to 11 to close the quarter with a score of 25-31. The come back started with Tarin Krishnan scoring on a fast break drive to the basket. Landon Santos hit a 20 footer for two on the right wing. Landon then hit Jack Bayless cutting to the basket. Bennett Dodge was fouled under the basket and made two free throws that never hit the rim. Coco Gannon Euro stepped by two defenders for two points. Coco was then fouled in the backcourt in the bonus and hit two free throws and one more free throw on another foul in the bonus. Coco then hit Bayless cutting hard to the basket for another two points to end the quarter on a roll.
The third quarter started where the Dons left off. Jack Bayless scored a reverse layout on a fast break drive to the rim. Eli Brent was fouled on a full court pass from Bayless in the act of shooting. Eli swished both free throws pulling the Dons within two points of the Bulldogs. On the next possession Bayless scored on a fast break finishing for two and tying the game. Landon Santos was fouled on a drive to the basket and made both free throws giving the Dons their first lead of the game. The Acalanes’ defense had tightened up considerably. More scoring for the Dons with freshman, Koleton Fenton putting an offensive rebound back with the left hand for two, followed by Santos going coast to coast on a fast break for another bucket. Bayless was fouled driving to the rim and made one of two free throws then gathered an offensive rebound for a score ending the third quarter 42-45.
The Dons battled a full court press by the Bulldogs most of the game. One satisfying moment came when three crisp passes advanced the ball past half court and Bennett Dodge finding Ethan Torres cutting on the left wing for an easy layup. Success! Score 50-52. Then followed a flurry of offensive activity with Justin Zegarowski hitting a floater in the lane for two, Gannon executing one of the slickest wrap around passes you will ever see to a driving Jack Bayless for two more points. The defense continued to impress with Eli Brent stealing the ball and running the floor and finding Bayless once again cutting to the basket for another bucket. No time to take the foot off the gas in this back and forth affair. Coco cut back door and received a pass under the basket and finished with a reverse layup on the right side and the score at 60-61 with 1:45 left. The relentless Jack Bayless hit a put back on an offensive rebound for two giving the Dons the lead at 62-61 with 43 seconds left in regulation. The Bulldogs put in a bucket of their own and now led by one. What happens next is the freshly trimmed Zegarowski gets fouled in the bonus and coolly hits the first free throw for the tie and the second to take the lead. Clutch! However, the Bulldogs were fouled with one second on the clock and missed the first free throw badly. The pressure was on and the second attempt hit the backboard and seemed to stick there before falling through the net for a tie game. The Dons ran one more inbound play to try to give Zegarowski a good look at the rim but came up short sending the game into overtime.
The gym was in a mighty ruckus for a “no spectators” event. Both varsity teams were present and added to the commotion rooting on their respective teams. Oakland scored on the opening drive and then Jack Bayless scored on a reverse layup once again tying the game. Bayless was then fouled and made free throws putting the Dons up by two. Santos had a beautiful block at the rim but the Bulldogs scored on a loose ball to once again tie the game. The game had to end and it ended in the Bulldogs favor with a three point shot with 7 seconds left that did not hit the rim for a final score 68-71.
It was a heartbreaker and the Dons played their hearts out and found a way to compete against another very good athletic team.
Wednesday night the JV Dons are back in action at 5:30 against the College Park at home.