Berkeley deals O'Dowd its first league setback of the season
BERKELEY >> The game on Friday night between Berkeley and visiting Bishop O'Dowd began in strange fashion as the large crowd and both teams were told to evacuate the gym after a fire alarm went off during player introductions.
“I've never seen that before,” longtime O'Dowd coach Lou Richie said.
It ended with chants of “overrated” and the home team's players dousing themselves with water in a celebratory locker room.
In between, Berkeley played terrific defense and seniors Samir O'Brien and Ollie Miller each scored 17 points as the Yellowjackets handed O'Dowd its first league loss of the season, 49-42.
O'Dowd (16-7, 9-1) still holds a two-game advantage over second-place Berkeley in the West Alameda County Conference Foothill Division standings with two games to play, but that hardly mattered amid the postgame hugs and smiles.
Berkeley beat O'Dowd for just the third time in 26 meetings since 2008.
“The team worked so hard,” Miller said. “We're one family. We all worked together and it just feels amazing to go out and beat them. The whole crowd was outstanding.”
Berkeley led 10-7 after the first quarter and 18-13 at halftime. By early in the fourth quarter, the Yellowjackets (18-6, 7-3) stretched the margin to 16.
O'Brien scored 10 of his points in the opening half. Miller had 11 of his points after the midway point.
“We've been working hard all year,” O'Brien said. “At the beginning of the season, it really wasn't coming together. But it's starting to click right now.”
The victory was the fifth in a row for Berkeley.
O'Dowd had won its previous six to put itself in the conversation for a possible North Coast Section Open Division spot. The loss Friday certainly didn't help the Dragons' case. If O'Dowd isn't picked for the sixteam Open, it will end up in a Division I bracket that will also include Berkeley.
The Dragons beat Berkeley 6058 in overtime in their first meeting this season.
The game Friday wasn't that dramatic as the visitors threw passes into the stands, missed shots that might have made a difference down the stretch and looked out of sorts from the start.
“We broke plays early and put ourselves in a bad situation,” Richie said. “It seemed like everybody was trying to ignite or start something instead of letting the game come to us. We didn't make one three for three quarters. Bad turnovers, Missed free throws.”
Samuel Chavarin (12 points) was the only O'Dowd player to score in double figures.
For Berkeley, Kavi Jivan hit two big 3-pointers in the final quarter to prevent any threat of an O'Dowd comeback.
“O'Dowd has been playing some good ball this year,” Berkeley coach Mike Hudson said. “Deservedly so. They're in a position to win league. We haven't been playing our best ball in league play. This was a big game for us. We're in the mode of preparing for the playoffs. We're going to be in these types of games.
“It's good preparation, and it's always good to beat a great program like O'Dowd.”
No. 1 Salesian 80, De Anza 61: On another night of balanced scoring for Salesian, the Pride celebrated Senior Night with a basket by team manager Kanzaga Madoshi as the Richmond powerhouse finished its Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division schedule with an undefeated record.
Elias Obenyah (12 points) and Aaron Hunkin-Claytor (11 points) were Salesian's leading scorers.
Ahmari Otis had 27 points for De Anza (6-17, 2-8).
Salesian improved to 25-1, 10-0 heading into next week's league tournament.
No. 2 De La Salle 59, California 47: De La Salle finished its East Bay Athletic League schedule undefeated as the Spartans grinded out a victory at home over California on Senior Night to improve to 23-3, 9-0.
Leo Ricketts (16 points) and Alec Blair (15 points) led De La Salle.
California is 11-14, 2-7.
No. 6 Archbishop Mitty 64, Sacred Heart Cathedral 43: This time, there was no need for overtime.
Gavin Ripp scored 24 points and Caeden Hutcherson added 12 points to lead the host Monarchs to a victory at home in West Catholic Athletic League play.
When the teams met last month in San Francisco, Mitty won 51-47 in OT.
The victory Friday improved the Monarchs' record to 16-5, 101. SHC fell to 9-12, 2-9.
Half Moon Bay 52, Carlmont 41: Gio Garduno Martin led the way with 15 points as Half Moon Bay prevailed at home over
Carlmont in Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division play.
HMB trailed 13-6 after the first quarter but led 21-18 at halftime and 34-30 after three.
The Cougars improved to 16-4, 7-0. Carlmont is 16-6, 6-2.
Girls
No. 8 Pinewood 85, Crystal Springs Uplands 31: Alex Facelo had a shooting performance for the ages on Friday night.
The Pinewood standout was 12 of 18 from beyond the 3-point arc and finished with 15 field goals overall on her way to scoring 42 points in her team's rout.
Pinewood improved to 15-4 overall and 7-0 in the West Bay Athletic League victory.
Crystal Springs dropped to 6-9, 0-5.
Vallory Kuelker, who hit 10 3-pointers in a game this season, had five points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks on Friday.
No. 5Acalanes 64, No. 20Mt. Diablo 32: Ariana Hallstrom dropped in a game-high 17 points as Acalanes ended the regular season 22-4 and a perfect 12-0 in Diablo Athletic League play.
Karyss Lacanlale scored 15 points and Dulci Vail put in 13 for the Dons. Mt. Diablo's Natalie Dance scored 17 points, including four 3-pointers. The Red Devils finish the regular season 21-5, 10-2.
Priory 66, Menlo School 44: Ugreat Daniels scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Priory improved to 11-9, 5-1 after the win in WBAL play. Adelaide Chan scored 18 points, dished out six assists and had nine steals, and Sasha Johnson scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Priory.
Menlo School dropped to 13-7, 4-2. Aarthi Abhyanker finished with 16 points.
Monta Vista 57, Palo Alto 24: Vivian Ong tied her season high with 25 points as Monta Vista improved to 16-4 and 7-2 in SCVAL De Anza play with a win over Palo Alto (0-22, 0-10).
James Lick 25, Gunderson 24: Freshman Jewliette Bradley hit the biggest shot of James Lick's season on Thursday night, with her 3-pointer giving the Comets the lead with under 10 seconds to play in the game. James Lick (3-18, 3-4) won its second consecutive game against a BVAL West Valley opponent.
Masah Kilchia led Lick with eight points, and Berklee Brown scored six points while also grabbing key rebounds.
Chiemi Wong had nine points for the Grizzlies (7-8, 3-5).