WINDSOR, CA - Amador Valley advanced to the championship game of the Windsor Holiday Shootout, beating Deer Valley on Friday in the semifinals, 57-47.
The Dons led from the outset, taking a 15-8 lead after one quarter, but after the Wolverines closed the gap to six points at the half, Amador Valley pulled away in the third quarter. Not a single player on the Dons' roster scored in double figures during the game, but Amador Valley did get scoring contributions from 10 different players, and played great defense to expand the lead.
Deer Valley managed just 11 points in the third quarter, while a pair of three-pointers from dual-sport standout Mitch Benson sparked a big quarter for the Dons. He had six of his team-high nine points in the quarter, while Jules Beloguardo and Tyler Nanney had four each to help Amador Valley pull away and build a 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Jaden Sheppard and Demetrius Williams had eight points each to round out the Dons' top scorers.
Senior Jacob Long attempted to spark a Deer Valley comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring all nine of his points on a trio of three-pointers in the final eight minutes. The Wolverines also got scoring contributions from players up and down the lineup, led by 12 points from junior Dera Vixon and 10 points from junior Dominic Pino.
Amador Valley will face either Windsor or Fortuna in the championship game.