If you were at last year’s Senior Night, you know it was going to be hard to top one of the greatest Team Manager Cameo performances of all time by Ori Elbaz (click here).
However, for these five Seniors, you really couldn’t have scripted this much better. In your final regular season home game, a chance to win the first Acalanes DAL league title since 2007 on your special night. As a Dons Basketball Fan, I never knew if this night would come again but I wanted it to more than anything. As a Senior Parent, I knew this night would come eventually but, in many ways, I never wanted it to.
After the extended fanfare honoring all the Senior cheerleaders, the five Ballers and their families, it was time to get down to business and win a league title. Coach Powers started an all-Senior lineup with Chase Bahou, Maddox Malm, Brady Quinn, Ian Salmon and Joe Reidenbach.
The DONS struck first, two minutes in, when Joe hit Brady for a three. Brady added a couple free throws after being pushed from behind on a fastbreak as the DONS held a 5-0 lead midway through the first. The Minutemen answered and took a brief lead going up 8-7 with 2 minutes left. Then Juniors Gavin Dodge, Ryder Malm and Cameron Hood checked in and that would be the beginning of the end for Concord. On the first play, Maddox got a deflection and Cameron picked up the steal throwing it back to the Senior streaking up the floor. Maddox slowed down a bit to gather his steps then took flight and baptized the Concord defender under the rim with a one-handed jam. Brady hit Ryder for an alley-oop layup on the next play and it was 11-10 DONS after one.
Concord got one last lead at 15-14 one minute into the quarter but then the DONS started raining three’s. Cam, Gav, Joe, Chase SPLISH SPLASH BOOM POW and then a Chase steal and dish to Cam for the easy two. DONS explode for 10 points in a minute and go up 25-15. Chase added a second three and Maddox found Brady for two and it was 32-15 midway through the period as the DONS went on an 18-0 run. Joe added another three for good measure and it was 35-21 at half.
Seniors started the third and began to dissect the Concord D to add to the lead. Maddox piled up three assists – two to Joe and one to Ian plus a bucket of his own as it was 43-25 with 3:30 left. Joe rejected a mid-range jumper and Brady volleyball spiked a Concord three out of bounds. AJ came in and immediately found Arman in the lane for the little jumper and hit him again for a triple. Maddox added a nice and-1 plus a couple of huge blocks. 53-30 DONS after three.
The Seniors came out for one last ride together. Ian found Chase for a corner three and Brady hit Maddox for an alley-oop layup. With 6:37 left and a 58-33 lead, Coach Powers emptied the bench as the Seniors got a hand from the fans. Julian would find AJ for a three as the crowd yelled BOOM! Josh cleaned up the offensive glass and got the putback. Julian found Josh underneath for two more. The Minutemen had a late surge to make this one a little closer than it felt but DONS would go on to win 66-50.
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As the buzzer sounded, Coach Powers and some of the Seniors would raise both arms high in the air, exchanging high fives and embraces. The revival was complete and the league title etched in stone. The DONS made their way back to the “Icebox”, the small unofficial locker room under the basket, where they jumped around and celebrated in a moment that would have warmed Ted Lasso’s heart. The team emerged donning “DAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS” t-shirts and each took turns climbing the ladder to cut down a piece of the net.
The DONS shot 38% (24/64) from the field, 40% (10/25) from three, and 89% (8/9) from the line while Concord was 35% (21/60) from the field, 31% (4/13) from deep and 57% (4/7) from the stripe. We had 21 assists on 24 made field goals, amazing ball movement and team work. Rebounds were 40-39 DONS and we won turnover battle with 14 to their 18.
BALL MOVEMENT WATCH – BEAUTIFUL!!!
Assists on FGs Made – 21 assists on 24 field goals (87.5%) – 65% considered good, >75% is ideal
Assist to Turnovers – 14 turnovers (1.50) – 1.00 considered good, >1.50 is ideal
Chase led the way with 11 points. 3 three’s, 2 assists, 2 steals and +25. Joe had 10 points and 2 assists. Maddox had 9 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks. Brady had 7 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists. Ian had 4 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Cam had 7 points and 3 assists. Arman had 5 points and 6 rebounds.
The DONS (20-5, 10-1) go on the road to face a solid College Park squad tonight at 730PM. The Falcons (16-9, 7-4) are fighting for their DAL Playoff lives as they need to win to get into the six team tournament. The DONS have already secured the #1 seed and first round bye but need to keep stacking wins to try to improve their NCS seeding. There are several league tournament scenarios still, but it looks like the DONS will play either Ygnacio Valley, Clayton Valley or Northgate in the Semifinal game which will be at Acalanes on Friday night also known as Valentine’s Day. Win or lose the DONS would be in the Finals or 3rd Place Game on Saturday night both of which will be hosted at Acalanes too.
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DONS DUNK-O-METER: 25 (+1) Click to see some of the BEST DUNKS of the YEAR!
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Senior Night Photos Courtesy: Barry Blatteis
Game Photos Courtesy: Nicole Malm
