WALNUT CREEK, CA - After an intense game decided in the final 30 seconds, Northgate (13-2) defeated Berean Christian (8-8), 47-44, in the DAL-Valley opener for both teams.
With 24 seconds left in the game, the Eagles recovered the rebound of a missed shot from the Broncos. After commiting a technical foul and a common foul, Northgate led by only one. The Broncos tightened their defense and forced a turnover, however, finishing the game with a slam dunk from Alden Friedman.
Both teams struggled shooting early, only making one three-pointer apiece in the first half. Berean Christian played a physical second quarter on defense, causing multiple turnovers inside the last four minutes. At 17-12, the Eagles began to pick up momentum, led by Jaden Watt who going into the half was shooting 75% with seven points.
Berean Christian shot 46% from inside the three-point line in the first half, while the Broncos trailed closely despite shooting 24% from the three-point line. The score at half was 17-16 with the Eagles leading.
The game remained close in the second half. The Eagle defense played tough, with Skyler Haynes making multiple blocks deep in the paint. However, the Broncos’ Alex Shaufler was able to hit some big shots, scoring a game high 23 points, 17 of which were in the third and fourth quarter.
“Number 10 (Shaufler) hit a lot of threes and we really needed to get on their shooters more,” said Berean Christian coach Justin Wade.
By the end of the third, the Eagles were still ahead by one. Although down for most of the game, Northgate continued to play at a fast pace.
“We tried to push the tempo, make the game move a little faster. We thought we were playing at a pace a little too slow for us,” explained Northgate coach Ron Pangilinan. With three minutes left in the game, the Broncos went up by three. From there they were able to hold on to a lead and escape with the win despite turnovers and some questionable calls from the officials.
“We wanted it so badly that there was no way we were going to lose tonight,” said Northgate's Graham Michiels.
Pangilinan was pleased with his team’s performance and how well they “stuck with it, and played the entire game”. Wade, although disappointed in the loss, had positive thoughts moving forward.
“We finally got all of our teammates here and there are a couple of things we need to work on, but I look forward to playing the rest of this league."
Northgate will play at Alhambra on January 19 and Berean Christian will play at John Henry on January 17.
