SAN ANSELMO, CA - Visiting Hayward stunned five-seed Drake, 66-56, in one of the biggest first-round upsets on the first night of boys basketball playoff action in the North Coast Section.
Levy Deplush III scored 14 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, after the Farmers had built an 11-point halftime advantage. Melvin Lipsey III had a big first half for Hayward, scoring 10 of his 16 points in the first two quarters, as the Farmers earned their first post-season victory since 2009.
Drake (18-10) rallied in the second half behind the strong play of Danny Roland and Inua Ramos-Andrews, who combined for 38 of the Pirates' 56 points. Ramos-Andrews scored 16 of his 19 points in the final two quarters, while Roland scored 13 of his 19 points in the second half. Noah Bice also tallied nine points, on three three-pointers for Drake.
Kile Kleiner was clutch at the free throw line in the fourth quarter for Hayward (16-10), draining 6-of-7 shots from the charity stripe in the final period, finishing the game with 16 points, 14 of them in the second half.
The Farmers now advance to the Division 2 quarterfinals, and head to four-seed San Marin (19-10), who beat Sonoma Valley 59-27 in opening round action.
