A couple of notable upsets dotted the landscape on opening night of the North Coast Section boys basketball playoffs, but for the most part, the heavy hitters maintained form to advance to the quarterfinals.
Moreau duo propels Mariners to first round rout
Petaluma was probably less than thrilled to see Moreau Catholic drop to the four seed and become the Trojans' first round opponent. That was confirmed on Tuesday night, as Damari Milstead and Kyree Walker combined for 56 points in the Mariners' 83-43 victory.
Milstead's big game came despite an off shooting night, as he missed all seven of his three-point attempts. The senior did, however, dish nine assists, and both he and Walker repeatedly got easy looks at the basket. Milstead knocked down 14-of-15 two-point field goals in the game, while Walker hit 8-of-10 shots from inside the arc.
Moreau advances to face Acalanes in the Division 2 quarterfinals. The Dons beat Santa Rosa, 75-52, as five different players scored in double figures. Kalei Aukai had 21 points in the loss for the Panthers.
Clayton Valley defends home court in win over Foothill
Despite being the lower seed, Clayton Valley played at home on Tuesday night after winning the DAL-Valley title, and used a huge third quarter to extend its season. The Ugly Eagles trailed by five points at halftime, but outscored Foothill 20-6 in the third to register a 57-51 victory.
Clayton Valley advances to play at Heritage this Friday night. The Patriots came from behind to beat El Cerrito in the first round, behind 26 points each from Jonathan Ned and Anthony Dennis. Tre Gray had 23 points in the loss for the Gauchos.
Castro Valley enjoys eastbound trips
Last year, as a 13 seed, Castro Valley headed to far east Contra Costa County twice in the playoffs, first to knock off four-seed Heritage, and then again three days later to beat Liberty. This year, the Trojans drew the 12 seed and headed to Oakley, facing BVAL runner-up Freedom. Once again, Castro Valley enjoyed a fun bus ride home after beating the Falcons, 69-63.
The Trojans will now face four-seed James Logan, who beat Mt. Eden in its playoff opener, 66-55. The Colts had four players in double figures in the win over the Monarchs, led by 15 points from Edra Luster and 14 points from Ryan Parilla.
Top seeds pull away for wins
Dublin and Bishop O'Dowd both pulled away for double-digit wins in the first round. Dublin steadily pulled away from College Park for the 84-66 victory, while O'Dowd routed Concord, 71-30.
The Division 1 Gaels will now host Antioch, who downed cross-town rival Deer Valley in its opening game, 81-72, led by 28 points from senior Kirmarje Trent. Kaleb Smith chipped in 19 points, while Deontay Currie had 14 points in the win. Dubem Boardman led Deer Valley with 15 points, while Raydale Robinson added 14 and Dior Walker contributed 12 points.
O'Dowd will now face nine-seed Redwood, who knocked off Windsor in first-round action, 41-32. John Van Liere led the way for the Giants with 12 points, off-setting a 12-point effort from Windsor's Riley Smith.
No shockers in Division 2 bracket
Redwood's win over Windsor was the closest thing to an upset in Division 2 first-round action, as the other seven games all went to the higher seed.
Montgomery had to battle back from an early deficit against San Lorenzo, trailing by six at halftime, but rallied for the 53-49 victory. The Vikings scored 34 of their 53 points in the second half. They now face two-seed Las Lomas, who rolled past De Anza, 91-64.
Cardinal Newman and Tamalpais will meet in the other quarterfinal, after Newman beat Washington-Fremont, 69-56, and Tamalpais knocked off Alameda, 71-60. Cody Baker had 26 points, including seven three-pointers for Cardinal Newman in its victory.
Fast start propels Hercules
Seven-seed Hercules jumped out to a 15-5 lead after one quarter against Piner, and held on against the Prospectors for the 55-49 win. The Titans advance to face two-seed Campolindo, who had a first-round bye.
In other action, Miramonte rolled past Encinal, 79-50, while Analy routed Alhambra, leading by 28 points at halftime and cruising to the 64-34 win. Miramonte and Analy will meet in the Division 3 quarterfinals.
At the top of the Division 3 bracket, Kennedy-Richmond knocked off Albany in a cross-over game between members of the TCAL Stone and Rock divisions, respectively. The Eagles pulled out the 63-60 victory, earning a date with top seed Salesian in the quarterfinals.
San Leandro avenges earlier loss against Liberty
San Leandro was the higher seed and playing at home, but had to take on a Liberty team which beat the Pirates by 11 points last month. This time, San Leandro got defensive in a 46-43 victory, earning a date against De La Salle in the Division 1 quarterfinals. The Pirates held Liberty to just 16 second-half points.
De La Salle actually trailed by two points entering the fourth quarter in its first-round game against Berkeley, but scored 28 points in the final eight minutes to pull out the 66-58 victory.
