AND NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.
Well, pretty much but let’s talk about the Alhambra game first. DONS (14-4, 4-0 1st DAL) came in as one of the hottest teams in the Bay winning 7 straight after the tough road loss at Serra. DONS were back home Wednesday night to face the Bulldogs (8-10, 1-4) looking to avenge another league loss from last season.
Action was tight most for the first until the DONS went on a run in the last three minutes. Gavin had three triples in the period and Brady found Ryder for an absolute HAMMER of a dunk as the ball came straight down and caromed out to the three-point line after. DONS up 19-13 after one.
DONS increased their lead in the second as Chase scored on a nice floater off the glass and got a shooter’s roll off the top of the backboard on a three. Cam got a steal and ripped down the floor for two then found Ryder for another easy bucket. Ryder scored on a tip in too as the lead extended to 14 midway through the period. Then the Bulldogs went on a little run scoring six straight before Ian found Gavin for two. Ian went coast to coast on the next play slashing through the entire defense. As time expired, Preston made a huge hustle play picking up the rebound off a fast break miss and scoring to put the Dons up 39-22 at the half! Gavin had 16 points at the half.
DONS started slowly in the second as Alhambra cut the lead to 11 with a few minutes left before Gavin scored on a strong drive and Joe found Cam for a wide open three to make it 47-31 going into the fourth.
Cam quickly scored 5 points in the first 30 seconds as the lead ballooned to 21. But credit to Alhambra who just kept trying to get back and went on an 11-2 run to make things interesting again late. DONS would shoot 54% in the quarter and rack up 5 assists as they calmly dissected the Bulldog D over the final few minutes. Arman found Preston on a fast break for two. AJ found Ian who got by his man to the cup. Maddox got a putback then scored on a nice euro step move assisted by Arman. A flurry of Alhambra three’s late made the final a little closer than it felt. DONS WIN 64-52!
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The DONS shot 40% (25/63) from the field, 26% (6/23) from deep and 57% (8/14) from the line while the Bulldogs shot 39% (21/54) from the field, 21% (5/24) from three and 50% (5/10) from the stripe. DONS win rebounding battle but not by a wide margin 40-34 as #1inhaled 11 rebounds for Alhambra. DONS won the turnover battle forcing 19 to their 12.
Gavin finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and was +22. Cameron had 10 points, 2 assists and 2 steals. Ryder had 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Ian had 7 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Maddox had 6 points and 9 rebounds. Preston finished with 6 points and 6 rebounds. Chase added 5 points.
BALL MOVEMENT WATCH
Assists on FGs Made – 16 assists on 25 field goals (65%) – 65% considered good, >75% is ideal
Assist to Turnovers – 12 turnovers (1.33) – 1.00 considered good, >1.50 is ideal
TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT! This one has been in the minds of the DONS since the heartbreaking one point loss at Campo last season on January 19, 2024. The Cougars (14-6, 4-2) come into this one ranked slightly higher than the DONS but have dropped their last two games, both on the road, to Las Lomas and Northgate. They will certainly be hungry to get back in the W column tonight but DONS are hungry too – trying to avenge a 13 game losing streak over the past 6 years. Is this the team to end it? We will know soon.
This one could be a sellout folks. This is what high school basketball is all about. NorCal Sports TV will be broadcasting the game on YouTube as well as our ACA Broadcasting team of Hank Bauer and Miles Blackheart this evening. Cal Hi Sports is also in the building as well as Mercury News. The stage is set…no matter what happens this is one that will be remembered…always.
TUNE IN tonight with links below:
Acalanes Broadcast w/ Play by Play
DONS DUNK-O-METER: 21 (+1) Click to see some of the BEST DUNKS of the YEAR!
Follow on Twitter @ACABoysBBall for in game updates, stats, highlights and more!
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Photos Courtesy: Nicole Malm
