So much to catch up on!
The Varsity Boys played in the 34th Annual Piedmont Winter Classic this past Thursday to Saturday in Piedmont. The Dons steam rolled their way into the Finals with resounding wins over Westmoor of Daly City 90-51 and host Piedmont in the Semifinals 85-58 in what was their best overall game of the young season. The Dons had actually won all twelve quarters of basketball they played this year coming into the Finals matchup against Northgate averaging over 86 points a game along with an average margin of victory of 28 points.
Against Westmoor, we shot 56% from the field as a team, outrebounded them 42-24 and forced 22 turnovers to our 11. Ian was an absolute beast with a team high 15 points on 7/10 shooting, plus team highs of +22, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Cam continued his hot shooting also with 15 points on 5/8 shooting. Maddox added 10 points and Brady and Chase each had 8.
Against Piedmont, we had a season team high of 23 assists, shot 55% from the field, outrebounded them 42-24 but lost the turnover battle 18-14. Maddox finished with team highs of 13 points on 5/8 shooting, 3 three’s, 8 assists and 2 steals plus 6 boards. Ryder had 12 points, on 6/8 shooting with team highs of +20 and 3 blocks. Gavin had 12 points plus 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Ian, Chase and Cam all chipped in with 10 points apiece.
Now the Finals showdown vs Northgate who came in with a 4-0 record and cruised into this matchup with the Dons with big wins over AIMS College Prep and Head Royce. The Broncos are led by Seniors David #10 and Grayson #22, two names the Dons won’t soon forget.
The Dons started fast and furious with Brady knocking down a little jumper and Maddox splashing a three. Ian finished on a drive then converted another bucket plus the foul for the three-point play. Maddox hit his second three in a row and Cam followed with another. All the sudden we were up 16-4 with just over 3 minutes left in the first! Then everything changed very quickly. After missing a three on the first possession of the game, Grayson would hit his next four shots including a three and a three-point play and the Broncos exploded to tie it up at 18 all.
While Grayson continued his personal clinic, getting to the hoop at will, Dons hung tough with Chase scoring on three different possessions and Gavin with a sick reverse layup. Ryder had a huge tip in and then found Gavin for a three to tie it up again at 35 with 30 seconds to go. The Dons got a stop on the last possession, but an errant pass found its way into the hands of Grayson who buried a three as time expired. It was 35-38 Broncos lead at the half as Grayson went 6/6 in the second finishing the half with 26 points on 10/11 shooting.
The Dons were finally able to quiet Grayson who got into some quick foul trouble in the third including a technical but David started to exert himself including a fastbreak dunk to start the period. Both teams were trading baskets in a flurry of scoring and the Dons were able to tie it up at 50 all on a Maddox tip-in with 3 minutes to go. Gavin had a pretty spin move and lefty finish but the Broncos hit three clutch three’s in the quarter and maintained a 54-57 advantage.
The Dons would trail 56-59 in the fourth and that was the closest they would get as they were forced to start fouling in the final two minutes and the Broncos put on a free throw clinic. David was 8-8 in the quarter from the stripe and would finish the game with 24 points alongside Grayson’s 29. Cam hit an acrobatic layup and Maddox another three in the last minute but the Broncos would prevail 66-76.
The Dons had a season low 11 assists and shot 45% from the field vs 64% for the Broncos. The big difference was from deep as the Dons went 6/22 (27%) and Northgate was 7/16 (44%). Rebounds were basically even with the Dons up 28-27. We won the turnover battle 13-15 but Northgate was able to convert those fewer turnovers into ten more points 11-21.
Brady had 13 points on 6/13 shooting while Maddox had 13 as well on 5/9 with three more triples and a team high 6 boards. Cam and Chase both had 10 points and Gavin 9. Ryder had a team high 3 assists.
Tough loss for the Dons but a chance to get back on the floor tomorrow night at home as they host the Chris Huber Classic. The Dons (3-1) will face Stagg (0-5) who lost to Miramonte earlier this season 46-67. Tipoff is at 830pm. If the Dons get by Stagg, they will face the winner of Mountain House and International on Friday night at 830pm. Likely Finals opponents on the other side of the bracket would be Woodcreek out of Roseville with heralded 6’8” big man Max VanLaningham or a potential Foundation game rematch with Monte Vista.
Looking forward to seeing some fans in the stands to support this exciting team! GO DONS!!!!
DUNKOMETER READING: 2