In the last home game of the 2021 season, the Dons Varsity Boys Basketball team celebrated Senior Night and faced a tough Miramonte Matadors team Wednesday night. After an exciting first half that saw the teams knotted 29-29 at the half, the Mats proved too tough on the glass and pulled away for a 72-63 victory.

The night started off with an acknowledgement of and thank you to the five seniors on the team: Jackson Aris-Dumas, Graham Smith, Scott Ruegg, Derek Kotarba, and Joey Carillo. That group started the game and got off to a quick 9-3 start fueled by some instant energy from Carillo’s first playing time of the season returning from injury. In fitting fashion, each of the seniors scored in the first quarter, propelling the Dons to a 17-14 lead.

In the second, the Mats distance shooters were bothered by the Dons defenders until a deep three gave the Mats their first lead at 25-22. The Dons responded, with sophomore Jake Davis getting into the action with a quick four points and Smith adding a late three to even the game at the half, 29-29.

In the third, the Mats attacked the rim and combined relentless offensive rebounding and second chance points to spark a 13-4 run. Aris-Dumas, Smith, and Ruegg all hit threes in the quarter to keep the Dons in the game, but the Mats, who had been cold from distance for most of the night, made three-pointers on their final three possessions to build their lead to eight, 53-45.

Aris-Dumas continued his hot night with five quick points to start the fourth, and Davis hit back-to-back threes to trim the margin to five. With time running out, the Dons were forced to play the fouling game, where the Mats capitalized hitting seven of eight free throws. A late three by junior Noah Bloch wasn’t enough, and the Mats finished with a 72-63 victory.

Aris-Dumas led the Dons in scoring with 18, followed by Smith with 13, and Ruegg and Davis with 12 apiece. Smith led the Dons in rebounding with six.