Oakland boys, Tech girls earn berths in state finals
Three previous losses, dim lights at Laney College and another lightsout performance from Oakland Athletic League Most Valuable Player Ahmaree Muhammad weren’t going to deter the Oakland High School boys basketball team Tuesday night.
In fact, all three factors might have provided the Wildcats with even more inspiration in the Northern California Division 3 championship game, a 7761 victory over OAL rival Oakland Tech. More than 2,000 enthusiastic fans were in attendance, including Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who gave a rousing pregame address.
The Wildcats (26-8), who had lost three previous games to Tech this season by a combined seven points, got 25 points from 2022 league MVP Money Williams. Anthony Lacy added 17 points and Te’Shawn Gamble 13 in the first All-OAL NorCal final.
Muhammad scored 23 points and Ardarius Gates 14 for Tech (22-12).
Oakland, the alma mater of NBA All-Star guard Damian Lillard, is in the state final for the first time. The Wildcats will face Southern California champ Buena-Ventura (31-5) — an 82-79 tripleovertime winner over Culver City — at 4 p.m. Friday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Oakland coach Orlando Watkins, in his 18th season, said the energy was “electric” at Laney, even though a light panel blew out before the game, causing a delay. Both coaches had to agree to play under dingy lighting.
“Fill in the blank — electric, crazy, packed — the energy was great,” Watkins said. “The game was played at a very high level. Our depth won out. We had more people contribute than they did. And unlike the three previous games, we matched their physicality.”
The Oakland coach said Lillard texted him after Tuesday’s game. “He said, ‘Go out and win a state championship,’ ” Watkins said. “And that’s what we plan to do.” More OAL: Oakland Tech’s girls will play after the Oakland boys at 6 p.m. Friday, when they take on Santiago-Corona for the Division 1 state title. The second-seeded Bulldogs (29-5) beat topseed St. Mary’s-Stockton 82-71 despite the hosts getting 47 points from 6foot junior Jordan Lee, who had a combined 56 points in two previous wins over Tech this season.
The Bulldogs had five players in double figures, with Erin Sellers, who hit four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, scoring 26. Taliyah Logwood (15 points), Mari Somvichian (14), Terri’A Russell (13) and Nia Hunter (10) all produced for the Bulldogs, who are seeking their third state title since 2019.
Mitty rolls: The Mitty girls continue to steamroll foes. Behind a mammoth game from 6-2 freshman McKenna Woliczko (29 points, 21 rebounds), the Monarchs (28-2) walloped visiting Salesian-Richmond 86-49 in the Open Division. Mitty’s opponent will be Etiwanda, which beat national No. 1 Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth, the defending state Open champion. Mitty, which has won 21 straight by an average margin of 37 points, outrebounded the Pride 50-12. Morgan Cheli had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Elana Weisman and Layla Woods added 12 points apiece. Makiah Asidanya had 21 points for Salesian (27-5).
Granada wins: Ninthseeded Granada-Livermore (26-10) won the Division 1 boys title with a 6047 victory over sixthseeded Salesian at Contra Costa College. Tyler Harris, who transferred from Salesian after last season, scored 18 points in his team’s win. Kevin Grant added 16 and St. Mary’sbound 7-foot center Andrew McKeever 14. DeUndrae Perteete and Aaron Claytor had 10 points apiece for the Pride (26-9). Granada plays SoCal top seed Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks (26-10) at 8 p.m. Friday in the title game. Notre Dame eliminated Sierra Canyon and Bronny James, son of Lakers All-Star LeBron James, 80-61.
Two more locals advance: Half Moon Bay (21-10), at No. 10, the lowest of any team advancing, defeated fifth-seeded Chico 71-59 in Division 4 boys play behind 6-8 junior Jaeden Hutchins (23 points) and freshman Gio Garduno-Martin (15). The Cougars play No. 1 SoCal seed Valencia (26-10) at noon Saturday. … Defending girls Division 5 state champion San DomenicoSan Anselmo (27-7) won the Division 4 title with a 42-39 home decision over Menlo School-Atherton, thanks in part to 14 points from Maja Cykowska. Karen Xin made four 3pointers for Menlo (18-11). The Panthers will play Shalhevet-Los Angeles (25-2) in a 10 a.m. Friday title game.