Tuesday, January 3, 2024
Record: 11-3
The JV Boys started the new year on a disappointing note. The Dons lost to the Serra Padres by a score of 51-40. The JV team is now 11 and 3 for the season.
The game featured two talented teams. With such alumni as Barry Bonds and Tom Brady, Serra has established itself for athletic excellence. It would be a difficult game for the JV Dons.
In the first quarter, Serra jumped on the home team. The score was 5 to 2 in favor of Serra until a nice pass from Chase Bahou to Josh Elerts cut the lead down to one. A nice put back by Arman Craig gave the home team their first lead, 6-5. A Serra steal generated a nice run for the Padres. The visitors regained the lead 9-6. But Gavin Beers, fresh off his MVP Dougherty Valley Tournament performance, answered with a three pointer. Game tied. Another Gavin three pointer put the Dons up 16-13. A Bethel Imasuen foul shot closed out the quarter. The Dons now led 17-13.
The start of the second quarter showcased Serra outside shooting. A few three pointers gave the Padres a 20-19 lead. Chase answered with a quick layup, and a Josh steal with layup put the Dons back in front. The two powerhouses continued to exchange baskets. Dons made a mini run with foul shots by AJ Hastings and another three pointer by Chase. But this four-point lead was quickly extinguished, as the Padres closed out the half on a four-point run. The game was tied 28-28 at halftime.
The third quarter determined the game. The Padres came out ready to play while the Dons game out flat. Serra opened on a run with great ball movement and outside shooting. While the Dons struggled to pass to one another, turned the ball over, and did not shift on defense. On several times, Coach Thomas called time out to try and shift momentum as well as correct his team’s miscues. His players did not respond, and Serra led 42-30 at the end of the three quarters.
In the final quarter, the Dons played better. AJ made a nice pass to Josh while Gavin made a nice layup. The Dons narrowed the score to nine-point difference. Yet, Serra is a well-coached team. The South Bay private school maintained their composure and closed out the game 51-40.
“We played hard for 26 of the 40 minutes.” Remarked Coach Thomas about the game. “We just let a great team get the best of us for the other minutes.” Super fan, Michelle McGrath, had this wonderful statement about the game: “Our boys really tried hard. It just didn’t go our way.”
The JV Basketball team’s next game is on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at home. Acalanes plays Washington. Tipoff is at 5:30pm.
