The great Bob Uecker once said “I have seen enough to know that I have seen too much” and that is what comes to mind when digesting this one. The Dons came in at 4-7 overall, having dropped 5 of their last 7 and coming off a lackluster second half against Santa Fe Christian, so badly in need of a win. They battled the Ramona Dawgs who came in with a 6-7 record and an opening round loss to Victory Christian 83-69.
It was a back and forth affair in the first quarter with the Dons down two 15-13 going into the second where the Dons exploded to take a 35-23 on a Maddox Malm three pointer at the buzzer. Maddox and Gavin Dodge both had 8 in the first half with Brady Quinn, Liam Krackeler and Ryder Malm chipping in 4 apiece.
Despite 14 points from a red hot Gavin in the third, Ramona came back and tied it up at 47 all heading into the fourth. The Dons were actually down 55-49 with 5 minutes left in the game. Maddox was fouled hitting both and Gavin hit a three off an inbound pass. Liam got an offensive rebound and found Gavin for another three to take a 57-55 lead. The Dawgs immediately answered with an elevator screen for #10 for one of his five three’s in the game. Then the Dons had three gigantic offensive boards in a row off missed three’s, two from Liam and one from Cameron Hood, that led to Maddox finding Liam for the top of the key triple to put us back up 60-58 with a minute left! The Dawgs got fouled on a rebound with 15 seconds on the clock, missing the first and making the second to cut the Dons lead to 1.
The Dons inbounded the ball with about 5 seconds left. Liam had trouble finding anyone open but got it to Maddox who was immediately doubled in the corner and lost the ball out of bounds, no foul. Ramona called time and drew up a play for the win. You could cut the tension with a knife. It seemed like #22 was the target but the Dons were able to prevent him from getting the ball and the inbounder threw it to #10 behind the three point line who did a quick pump fake, dribbled right, and with Cameron hot on his tail hoisted what would be a heartbreaking three towards the rim…..SHORT LEFT, NO GOOD. Dons Win! The bench stormed the court in celebration.
Gavin led the way with 26 points in 27 minutes on 9/20 shooting, 6/16 from deep, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 0 turnovers. Maddox had 12 points in 21 minutes on 3/5 shooting, 5/6 from FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Liam had 7 points in 22 minutes with 9 rebounds (4 huge offensive), 3 assists, and 1 steal. #22 had 21 for the Dawgs and #10 had 15 all three’s.
For game highlights, stats and more: CLICK HERE
The Dons (5-7, 469th in CA) will face a tough Vista team (9-7, ranked 288th in CA) that lost in the first round to host Francis Parker 45-49 then prevailed over San Diego 67-61. The only common opponent the two schools have had is Santa Fe Christian, who the Dons lost to by 15 in the opening round of the tournament and Vista lost to by 8 earlier in December.
Tipoff will be around 12:40pm and game will be live on BallerTV: CLICK HERE
