The Dons travelled to San Diego again for the Holidays moving to  a different tournament this year called Surf N’ Slam which featured three teams from Cali plus Texas, Hawaii, Alaska, Oklahoma, and Idaho.  The Dons came into the Tourney with a 5-2 record coming off their tough OT loss to Woodcreek in the Huber Final on 12/14 so this was their first game in almost two weeks.

The Dons arguably had the toughest draw of any team facing St. John’s out of Houston, TX who were led by 6’8”, 230 pound, Auburn-bound Sebastian Williams-Adams (SWA).   The Dons jumped out to a 5-1 lead that was quickly erased after the Mavericks went on a 19-0 run.  The Dons turned the ball over 14 times in the first half and were down by 25 at halftime.  Despite bouncing back to win the third quarter by 7, SWA was too much in the end (20 points on 9/11, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks) and the Dons lost 81-54.  Gavin had 15 points/4 rebounds/4 assists while Maddox had 11 points/5 rebounds/2 steals and Ian had 7 point/3 rebound/2 steals.  St. John’s would later go on to win the entire tournament over Broken Arrow from Oklahoma with SWA taking MVP Honors. 

St. John’s Game Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2RLtZM

In game two, the Dons went up against University Lab the #8 ranked team in Hawaii.  The Rainbows jumped out to an early 10-5 lead but the Dons responded as Preston had some nice first half minutes and Maddox drained a three at the buzzer to take a 30-18 lead into the break.  The Dons lead slipped to 9 at the end of the third and dwindled to 5 points with under 2 minutes left.  Cameron made a huge play to seal it with a drive to the hoop for the finish plus the foul and then Maddox went by the Rainbows big man to finish with his right from the left side to put the Dons back up with the final being 52-44.  Gavin had 17 points/5 rebounds going wire to wire, Maddox had 10 points/4 rebounds/3 assists, Cameron had 7 points/3 rebounds and Ryder had 4 points/8 rebounds/3 blocks/3 steals.

University Lab Game Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2RMDmS

The stage was set for an absolute war with a scrappy Post Falls Trojans squad who was ranked #17 in Idaho.  The Dons trailed 13-8 after one with Ryder and Chase both hitting three’s in the period.  Brady, back from an ankle injury sustained in the first game, kept the Dons close with 6 first half points and Cameron hit a three late to close the gap to 5, Dons down 24-19. 

Ugly start to the third as the Dons went scoreless for 6 minutes and the lead ballooned to 16 with 2 minutes to go in the period.  The press hadn’t been working all game then desperation set in and it did as the Dons amped up their intensity.  Ian was an absolute menace in the backcourt, racking up 6 steals and coming up with some huge buckets when we needed it most.  Brady scored back-to-back buckets one on a gorgeous spin move and the Dons were down 8 going into the fourth. 

Gavin went down with 5 minutes left after he collided with the back of a Trojan player’s head, collapsing to the floor with a considerable amount of blood coming out of his nose.  After a long stoppage, the Dons responded with Cameron dishing it ahead to Maddox for a  thunderous two hand slam that cut the lead to 2!  A minute and a half later, Brady found Cameron for a wide open three…SWISH and the Dons had their first lead since early in the first at 37-35.  Cameron flexed as the bench and fans erupted!  The Trojans scored off an offensive rebound then Ian whipped a pass to a cutting Ryder who laid it in.  After a pair of missed free throws, Ian fearlessly drove to the hoop for a strong finish to put the Dons up 5 with 2 to play.  Ryder had a monster block on defense and then found brother Maddox who iced it with a three to put the Dons up 6 with a minute to go.  The final was 47-42 in an extremely physical, chippy game where points were at a premium.  Huge comeback win for the Dons that was a defining moment in the Dons early season.

The Dons were led by Brady who had 11 points/2 assists/+22 plus/minus rating, Ian with 8 points/6 steals/3 assists/+19, Maddox with 5 points/7 rebounds/4 steals/+13, Cameron with 10 points/3 steals/3 assists and Ryder 6 points/2 blocks/2 assists.

Post Falls Game Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2RMrwB

The Dons are now 7-3 and will have a difficult test tonight when they travel to the South Bay to face 8-1 Junipero Serra with the tipoff at 7pm.  The Dons will then host 5-7 Pinole Valley Friday night in Lafayette at 7pm and travel to Napa to face 1-8 Vintage on Saturday afternoon at 4pm.  The Dons did not win their seventh game until 1/22 last year and ended the season 9-19 so this team has really turned things around and has a chance to do something special.

DONS DUNKOMETER: 8 (up 1 from prior week)

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Photos Courtesy Nicole Malm: https://www.instagram.com/cappedbycoco