PIEDMONT, CA – Lick-Wilmerding head coach Daniel Tesfai knew Piedmont would be a test for his Tigers. And his team passed that test with flying colors, taking full control in the third quarter and gliding to a 71-56 victory in a Saturday night road game.
Ava Grey had 24 points – fueled by six treys – along with 10 rebounds and three assists, and Annabelle Schneiberg netted 19 points, five boards, and three assists for Lick-Wilmerding (13-1). The duo seemed to be everywhere on the court, and in one key stretch knocked down three three-pointers between them, with each assisting the other on one of them.
“We’re a tough team to keep up with offensively but that’s all dictated from our defense,” Tesfai stated. “If we don’t get stops, we don’t get those opportunities. They bought into it, you could see the level and how they’re moving, shifting, and getting turnovers, and they’re getting easier baskets that way.”
Piedmont enjoyed its biggest lead in the first at 9-4. The Tigers led by two by the period’s end, and the Highlanders last lead was 18-17 midway through the second. That’s when the Tigers guard duo sank three consecutive shots from downtown, and they never looked back.
In the third quarter, when the Tigers expanded a four-point advantage to 17, six different players had a notch on the scoreboard, and held their opponent to three made field goals.
Nakilah Johnson had 22 points for Piedmont (11-3) with 12 coming in the fourth quarter. Freshman Trinity Zamora tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Highlanders.
Entering the game, Lick-Wilmerding and Piedmont were essentially dead-even in the NCS Division IV rankings, and figure to be in the thick of the championship hunt. Each team’s record includes one unreported result.
“I think we’ll see each other again,” Tesfai said. “Piedmont has a storied history, so we’re just glad to be a part of it and compete with them.”
Last season Piedmont and Lick-Wilmerding were the 5th and 6th seeds, respectively, in the NCS Division IV playoffs. In the CIF State postseason, the Tigers were moved up to Division III. Both teams lost in the second round.
