A slate of six games will take place this Saturday at Campolindo High School, as the Cougars host the 2018 Lamorinda Classic. We take a quick look at each game, and will have complete coverage at the event, provided by both Scott Giorgianni and Harold Abend, who will also be serving as the public address announcer for many of the games.
11:30 am - Clayton Valley (8-8) vs Terra Nova (9-5)
Clayton Valley is looking to shake a two-game losing streak, falling to Miramonte in its DAL opener and then again to Santa Rosa in the MLK Classic at Marin Catholic this past Monday. The Eagles are led by the duo of sophomore Ysobelle Eustaquio and senior Kelly Osterkamp, who combined to average 26 points per game. Osterkamp and freshman Susie Kresch provide a presence on the boards for Clayton Valley.
Terra Nova opened PAL play with a pair of wins against El Camino and Oceana before suffering its first league loss, to favorite South San Francisco, on Wednesday. 6-foot-5 junior center Kenady Armstrong is a force to be reckoned with, averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds per game. Freshman Numi Saini is also averaging in double-figures, at 11 points per game, while senior Venus Pascua can stretch the defense with her three-point shooting.
1 pm - Brookside Christian (8-10) vs South San Francisco (11-3)
Brookside enters this game well-tested against top competition, which might serve the Knights well against a top-notch SSF squad. After battling Amador Valley and Woodside Priory in a pair of MLK losses, Brookside routed Concord earlier this week. The Knights lack depth - only six players have gotten in the scoring column this season - but they do have some firepower. Senior Chanel Stuart is averaging 16 points and six rebounds per game, with fellow seniors Savannah Henson and Ashlyn Lockard also averaging in double figures.
South San Francisco, meanwhile, has won five straight since a loss to Kinkaid-Houston in the West Coast Jamboree. Brittany Cedeno is one of the top scorers and all-around players in the Central Coast Section.
2:30 pm - St. Joseph Notre Dame (13-2) vs Pinewood (15-1)
This mid-day clash should be a ton of fun, featuring two teams which can both light up the scoreboard. St. Joe's comes in having won five straight since a loss to Archbishop Mitty, and the only other loss is to Redondo Union. Sophomore Malia Mastora has been playing extremely well for the Pilots, and is averaging close to 15 points per game, while sophomore Sophie Nilsson and junior Zhane Duckett also both average double figures. Senior Kayla Nunn is a top rebounding force.
Pinewood, meanwhile, might have one of its best teams under Doc Scheppler, and that's saying something. The only blemish on the Panthers' record is a two-point loss to Salesian, and they also started the year by winning the La Jolla Sweet 16 Invitational. Juniors Hannah Jump and Klara Astrom headline the barrage of three-point shooters, while senior Brianna Claros also finds multiple ways to score.
4 pm - Bear Creek (18-2) vs Campolindo (10-6)
No teams in the Stockton area, certainly not the public schools they have faced, have been able to keep up with Bear Creek, whose only losses have come down south to Clovis North and Fairfax-Los Angeles. The Bruins are riding a 16-game win streak, including an impressive 43-point rout over Edison-Stockton.
Freshman point guard Mya Blake has been simply outstanding for Bear Creek, averaging 16 points to go with nearly five assists and four steals per game. Those numbers are despite the fact that she has played very limited minutes in recent blowout victories.
Campolindo opened league play this week by routing Acalanes, proving the benefit of a grueling non-league schedule. Depth will be one concern for the Cougars, as an already-thin roster took a hit when sharp-shooting guard and Weber State commit Ashley Thoms injured her wrist, and will be out indefinitely. Thoms' 19 points per game will certainly be missed, leaving more on the capable shoulders of Washington commit Haley Van Dyke, who is currently averaging 28 points and 17 rebounds per game. Seniors Grace McGuire and Kailey Meyer will be counted on in Thoms' absence.
5:30 pm - Carondelet (8-5) vs McClatchy (13-4)
A recent three-game winning streak, against elite competition, came to an end for Carondelet with a loss this past Monday to Mitty. The Cougars had previously won two of three in the Platinum Division of the West Coast Jamboree, and beat Miramonte in the Elite is Earned Showcase.
McClatchy has won four straight since a loss to Edison-Stockton, and earlier swept its way to the Gold Division title at the West Coast Jamboree, beating Campolindo and Heritage along the way. They also just posted a huge upset of state-ranked Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth at the St. Mary's-Stockton MLK Showcase.
7 pm - Heritage (9-5) vs Miramonte (12-4)
Heritage is nothing if not battle-tested, having faced a grueling slate of games over the holiday break, including losses to McClatchy, Mater Dei, and St. Mary's-Stockton. The Patriots showed their mettle this past Monday, however, beating Sacramento. Guard Jordan Sweeney pushes the pace for Heritage, while posts Mikaila Wegenke and Abigail Muse can cause problems. Lia Milam and Lauren Campbell are relied on as defensive stoppers in the backcourt. Freshman Julie Ramirez has been impressive to start her high school career.
Miramonte is coming off an impressive win over La Jolla Country Day last weekend, and all of the Matadors' losses have come in either tournament or showcase play to elite programs.
