Berkeley High managed to hold off Acalanes in a frenetic finish Saturday in Lafayette, for what was each team’s final game of the Rhodes Memorial Tournament. Joe Reidenbach led the Dons with 15 points, and Jake Elerts added another 13 points.

Berkeley High jumped all over the Acalanes from the opening tip, using their full court press to force turnovers and take an 8-0 lead. There was a lid on the basket for the Dons all first half, and they ended the second quarter down 31-19, for their lowest scoring output in a half all season.

However, the Dons started the second half with newfound energy, going on a 16-4 run to mount a furious comeback and even the game at 35. With Jaden McClane in foul trouble, Jake Elerts stepped up with and put his outside-in game on display, making multiple three pointers and midrange shots to keep the Dons in the game. JB Frolich, who added 9 points, also made multiple jumpers and Joe Reidenback made multiple free throws to help get the Dons back into the game.

The contest was neck-and-neck down the stretch. Things looked good when Jaden McClane hit a turnaround jumper with 4:20 to for the Dons first lead of the day at 48-46. However Berkeley High was able convert back to back drives to the basket and make defensive stops to ultimately put that game away, and deny the Dons a last second shot at the win.

The Dons controlled the boards for most of the day. Cooper Edelman led Acalanes with 7 rebounds. Jaden McClane, Joe Reidenbach and Liam Krackeler all pulled down 6 boards, and Trevor Carillo had another 5 rebounds. The Dons record dropped to 2-4 on the season.