Mid-week action provided a few surprises across the North Coast Section, but also set up some key match-ups heading towards Friday and the weekend.
Heritage and Antioch on collision course
Heritage and Antioch meet this Friday night, on the Panthers’ home court, separated by one game in the standings after both teams held serve on Tuesday night.
The Patriots moved to 5-0 in the BVAL with their 65-48 win over last-place Pittsburg, led by 19 points from junior Jonathan Ned, who had eight points in the first quarter and 13 in the first half. Anthony Dennis added 17 points, while Tyrese Mack and Jacob Williams each had eight.
Antioch improved to 4-1 in league play, with the lone loss having come at Heritage in the BVAL opener, after its 72-71 win over Deer Valley on Tuesday. Jake Long had 27 points for the Wolverines, but the duo of Kirmarje Trent and Kaleb Smith for the Panthers propelled them to the win. Trent had 27 points as well, going 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and 11-of-19 overall from the field, while Smith hit 11-of-14 shots from the free throw line.
In the first meeting between these teams, Dennis had 30 points for the Patriots, while Ned had 20 in Heritage’s 73-64 victory. Trent and Smith combined for 35 points in that game.
EBAL provides drama and a couple shockers
Dublin was 18-1 and 6-0 in the EBAL entering last week’s game against De La Salle, and its 51-45 loss to the Spartans seemed like it would do little to derail any of its remaining efforts in league play. The Gaels then routed California, 86-48, and led Foothill 34-21 at halftime on Tuesday.
That was when the Falcons took off and sent shockwaves through the EBAL, outscoring Dublin 37-14 in the second half, including a 22-7 fourth quarter outburst, to beat the Gaels, 58-48. If Dublin takes care of business in its remaining four league games, the loss should do little to effect the Gaels seeding in the NCS playoffs, with a non-league win over Heritage. For Foothill, however, the win is huge, putting them two games above .500 and needing just one win to secure playoff eligibility.
Elsewhere, Granada picked up its third league win of the season, downing San Ramon Valley in overtime, 62-55. The win keeps the Matadors mathematically alive, needing three wins in their last four games to become playoff-eligible. San Ramon Valley now needs to split its remaining two games.
California stayed hot with its fourth win in the last five games, taking down Dougherty Valley in a nail-biter, 69-67. The game was back and forth throughout, and the Grizzlies’ victory leaves both teams still fighting for their playoff lives. Cal needs to win three of its last four, facing a schedule which includes Monte Vista, San Ramon Valley, and De La Salle down the stretch. Dougherty needs to earn a split of its last four games, but that stretch includes the aforementioned three teams plus Dublin.
Redwood win over Tamalpais further muddles MCAL race
Charlie Reis scored 21 points to lead the Giants past Tamalpais on Tuesday night, creating a five-team tie for second place in the Marin County Athletic League, with Marin Catholic sitting in first place by one game.
Two of those teams, Drake and San Marin, square off Thursday night, while Tam has a chance to knock off Marin Catholic and really make things interesting.
Acalanes gets balanced scoring to tighten DAL-Foothill race
While Campolindo knocked off league leader Las Lomas to create a tie for first place in the DAL-Foothill – you can read that game story here – the Dons powered past College Park, 76-59, to get within one game of the division lead.
Acalanes had five players in double figures, led by 15 points from Carson Etnyre, while Aidan McNamara and Mitchell Smith each contributed 14 points in the winning effort.
Moreau ties up Mission Valley title race
Moreau Catholic evened itself with James Logan atop the MVAL, avenging an earlier loss to the Colts by earning a 69-56 win on Tuesday night, behind senior guard Damari Milstead’s 32-point outburst.
