Been some beautiful days in Lafayette, California this week as the DONS keep getting better and keep stacking wins.  The latest victim, the Las Lomas Knights, who we lost to in the regular season last year but upset in the DAL Playoffs.  Despite losing a key guard via transfer to Dougherty Valley and sharpshooter Aiden to a knee injury, the Knights have had some great wins this year and came into his one 3-0 in league under new coach Phil Galvin.

The DONS had the full squad minus Joe who has been playing very well of late.  The scouting report was clear – stop #20 Julian and #3 Colin.  Easier said than done.  The Knights got first blood and Ian answered with a body contorting, corkscrewing layup.  The Knights would actually never see another lead but this one was not decided until late in the fourth.  Brady splashed a three and Ryder got a tip-in.  Maddox drilled back-to-back bombs with the net snapping straight up through the hoop on both.  Gavin slung the ball cross court to Ian who took one dribble with a giant euro step for the two.  16-12 DONS after one.

The Knights evened the score at 18 two minutes in as Julian drove coast-to-coast through multiple DONS defenders.  Maddox leapt into the air for a rebound off a missed three and hot potatoed it to Ryder who spun in the air and scored.  Brady drove the lane and pivoted to find a cutting Gavin for a pretty reverse layup over the outstretched arms of Julian.  Julian put the Knights down one after the and-1 finish but Cam answered with his own and-1 as the DONS kept answering the Batphone all night long.  After a Las Lomas three cut the lead to 1 again, Maddox threw a cross court pass to Ian in the corner who drove the lane with two Knights in hot pursuit.  The shot missed but Ryder threw it down with the two handed putback slam.  32-26 DONS at the break.

The Knights cut the lead in half on a corner three but Gavin answered on the next trip down with his own from Downtown.  Most of the game was like this, a total see-saw affair.  Ian, who did a brilliant job locking up Julian all night long, attacked the rim as the ball rolled in off the glass.  Then Ian snagged an offensive board and kicked it out to Ryder who drained a rainbow three right in front of the student section.  After a stop, Brady flew down the baseline and took off, hanging in the air, scooping the ball under his defender and alley-ooping it to Ryder who laid it in.  Brady found Ryder again on a pick-and-roll for two more, seven points in a 1:15 span for the Big Fella.  Maddox pushed the ball ahead to Brady who made a tough layup on Colin.  Then Ian scored on the and-1 plus another slashing layup and Cam ended the quarter with a fearless drive to hoop.  Ian and Ryder both had 7 points in the quarter as the DONS were up 55-43! 

The Knights press started to fluster the DONS who did their best to keep it close with 11 turnovers in the fourth quarter!  Las Lomas scored first but Gavin posted up a smaller defender and hit a nice turnaround jumper.  After a Knights three, Maddox found Ryder in the post for a turnaround jump hook off the glass.  The DONS were able to counter the turnovers with the best rebounding period of the game (10) and held on to a 59-50 lead with 2:30 left.  Then Colin drilled a deep three and the DONS had some work to do.  A minute later, on a wild sequence, Gavin was stripped by Colin but Maddox knocked the ball away as Gavin got it right back, controlling the ball with a solid jump stop and kicking it to Ian.  Ian drove and hit Maddox in the lane who drew the defender towards him then lobbed it up to Ryder for the FLUSH!  GAME.  SET.  MATCH.  DONS WIN 64-53!

HUDL Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/v/2RSeLf

The DONS shot 49% (25/51) from the field, 39% (5/13) from deep and 75% (9/12) from the line.  The Knights shot 33% (20/60) from the field, 20% (6/30) from three and 100% (7/7) from the line.  DONS dominated the glass 38-24 but had 20 turnovers to the Knights 12. 

BALL MOVEMENT WATCH

Assists on FGs Made – 16 assists on 25 field goals (65%) – 65% considered good, >75% is ideal

Assist to Turnovers – 20 turnovers,11 in Q4 (0.80) – 1.00 considered good, >1.50 is ideal

Ryder led the way with 21 points on 8/12 shooting, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 dunks.  Ian had a masterpiece on both sides of the ball with 12 points on 5/7, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.  Gavin had 11 points and 9 rebounds.  Brady 7 points and 4 assists. Maddox had 6 points, 5 rebounds, and team highs of 5 assists and +13.  Cameron chipped in 5 huge points at critical times and Preston had 2.  For the Knights, Julian finished with 21 points on 8/18 with 6 rebounds and 3 assists while Colin had 18 points on 6/17 with only 8 steals and 5 assists.

The DONS have now won five in a row and 7 of their last 8, moving to 12-4 and 3-0 in league play joining Campolindo, Clayton Valley and Northgate as the only remaining undefeated teams.  Word is spreading about the resurgent DONS  as we just cracked the Bay Area News Group Top 20. 

Exciting action at the Huber Gymnasium tonight as 49ers Cal Hi Sports is covering this game as the Crumbl Cookie Game of the Week!  DONS look to avenge their last season loss at Northgate as well as a loss earlier this season 76-66 in the Finals of The Piedmont Tournament in early December.  Northgate (12-4, 3-0) is reportedly without stars David and Grayson but expect this to be an intense one.

Tipoff is at 7:30 PM with JV at 6:00 and Frosh at 4:30.

The DONS will be cooking up the Broncos so wear white and bring pots and pans – PASTA FEED PREGAME AT 6:45 plus chef’s hats, moustaches and more!

Livestream on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3DXevRZ

Livestream on HUDL Fan: https://bit.ly/4jdliXN

Note: We have been having some technical issues with the YouTube livestream, so please try HUDL Fan in that event, it is also free but you must watch both LIVE.

DONS DUNKOMETER: 19 (+2) // NOTE:  WE HAD 0 DUNKS LAST YEAR, THIS TEAM IS FUN TO WATCH!

Remember to follow @ACABoysBBall on X/Twitter for in game updates, stats, highlights and more: https://x.com/ACABoysBball

You can also find us on MaxPreps: https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/lafayette/acalanes-DONS/basketball/

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