The Dons (6-9, 88th in SF, 391st in CA) were eager to get back on the hardwood after a tough loss with a late lead against Serra at home earlier in the Holiday week.  A much improved Huskies team (8-4, ranked 66th in SF Metro and 291st in CA) was on the menu in a Saturday night special.

Strong start for Acalanes as it looked like the Dons might dominate this one going up 7-0 in the first 3 minutes as the Huskies couldn’t get anything going and needed a quick timeout.  The lead could have been bigger too but the Dons missed several layups and went 1/5 from the line during this stretch.  The Dons went to their bench midway through the quarter and that’s when the Huskies started to find the bucket and their rhythm.  It was 11-9 Huskies after one as the Dons racked up 8 turnovers in the period.

The Dons re-established the lead early in the second with Jordan Brown finding Gavin Dodge underneath on a nice look then Ian Salmon hitting a slashing Maddox Malm for the 16-13 lead as the Huskies quickly called a timeout.  A Gavin three would put us up 22-21 with 5 minutes left and then it was all downhill from there.  The Huskies started to get hot from deep and went on an 11-0 run as the Dons got more and more out of sync adding 6 more turnovers to the total.  Washington went into the locker room up 37-25.  Liam Krackeler had 8 points at the half, Gavin 7 and Maddox 5.

The third quarter was one to quickly forget as the Huskies dominated, winning it 25-7 as it was 62-32 going into the fourth.  Acalanes shot 3/15 from the field and Washington was on fire 10/15 from the field (67%) and 5/8 from deep (63%).  We were also outrebounded 12-5.

The fourth was basically a formality as the Dons cycled in several different lineups but couldn’t make up any real ground.  However, during a one minute and forty second stretch halfway through, Cameron Hood went full on mini-microwave mode scoring 11 points with two steals that was really fun to watch.  Final was 77-51.

For the game the Dons shot 20/59 from the field (34%), 13/34 on 2FG (38%), 7/25 from deep (28%) and 3/7 from the line (43%).  After 5 free throws in the first 4 minutes we shot two the rest of the way.  It was the most turnovers we have had all season (24, previous high 22 vs. De Anza) after doing a great job of taking care of the ball lately with a season low 9 against Serra.  Points off turnovers were 31-8 which almost covered the entire deficit.

Washington made season highs for an opponent on overall field goal percentage (51%, previous high Monte Vista at 50%) and 12 three’s on the highest shooting percentage 46% (previous high was Ramona and Las Lomas both with 9, and Dougherty with 40%). #0 Esean Johnson had 20 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals while #1 Eshaan Brar added 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 three’s.

Gavin had 12 points in 27 minutes to go along with 9 rebounds and 4 assists.  Cameron had 11 points in 8 minutes with two steals.  Liam had 8 points in 18 minutes plus 2 assists and 2 steals.  Maddox had 7 points in 19 minutes plus 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a block.  Only two players with positive plus/minus ratings were Maddox and JB Frolich at +6.

Things don’t get any easier for the Dons with another league game against Clayton Valley Charter (10-4, 18 in SF, 83rd in CA) at home Tuesday night 1/9 at 7pm.  The Ugly Eagles won the Division II state championship last year and might be a better team this year.  Dons have slipped a bit in the rankings now at 88th in SF and 405th in CA.  Was a good crowd Saturday night including some much needed student support so appreciate everyone coming out!

Livestream all Home Games at: https://www.youtube.com/@acalaneshubergym1200

MaxPreps for stats, highlights and more: Click Here

Also follow the Dons on Twitter/X for in-game updates and more: @ACABoysBball