DOMINIC DRURY, BISHOP O'DOWD
Prep2Prep Student Contributor

March 23, 2014

SACRAMENTO - The Capital Christian Cougars (28-4) once again came up short against the top-seeded Bishop O’Dowd Dragons (28-4) Saturday night in CIF Northern California Open Division final. The Dragons pulled out a thrilling 70-60 victory in front of 5,000 plus fans in attendance at the Sleep Train Arena.

The Cougars, despite coming into the game with a better record, were the clear underdogs after the Dragons blew them out 86-60 during the Martin Luther King Jr classic at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley a little over a month ago.

During that game, Shane Farley and rest of Dragons squad was able to hold Michigan commit DJ Wilson to only eight points. However when it really counted, Wilson kept the Cougars alive finishing with a Northern California Open Division Championship-record 29 points.

“We came in all right and fought hard,” said Wilson. “After the good start we settled, you have to give them credit they are a great team.”

Wilson put the Dragons on their heels early, as two quick 3-pointers gave Capital Christian a quick 7-2 lead.

O’Dowd’s Paris Austin, in his first Northern California Championship appearance, put the team on his back when the Dragons were struggling sinking shots. Austin was a perfect 4-for-4 as the Dragons went on a 19-5 run to finish the first. Austin finished with 17 points on the night and shot 60 percent from the field.

But in the end, the Dragons typically go as far as star Ivan Rabb takes them, and despite playing with an injured ankle, he exploded for 26 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks.

Rabb sent the crowd into a frenzy after three consecutive alley-oop dunks in the third quarter, which included a reverse behind the back. Rabb missed his only free-throw attempt, but hit 13-of-21 shots from the field.

One of the main keys to the Dragons' success was the development of strong full court press late in second quarter. Starting point guard Juwan Anderson, who finished with just four points and four assists had two key steals, helping O'Dowd extend to a 16-point lead at the end of the first half.

“Our brotherhood is too strong,” said Anderson after the game. “We are going to keep fighting for this state championship.”

Capital Christian guards Justin Mosley and Unhenna Iroegbu had a really hard time shooting the ball, as the two combined for only 15 points on 36 percent shooting from the field.

Senior Jackson Kalmbach, who went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, played key minutes finishing with nine points and seven rebounds for the Dragons.

“Our coaches did a great job coming up with a game plan, and we did a great job sticking to it," Kalmbach said. "I am glad to celebrate this win, but we have to prepare for the next big game next weekend."

There is no doubt that next weekend’s game against the best team in the United States - Mater Dei from Santa Ana - will bring thousands of spectators to Sacramento. Many media sources are already saying it will be the biggest California State final game in history.

“This is honestly one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” said senior Shane Farley who finished with six points. “After all the hours and sweat we put in after last season, and all the hills we ran during the summer. The hours and hours of blood, sweat and tears we put in, it is amazing to be able to share this with my brothers.

"But after this weekend it’s back to work. Mater Dei is ready and we are going to need a phenomenal team effort in order to secure out ultimate goal, an Open Division state championship.”

O’Dowd will have the confidence of knowing it took undefeated Mater Dei (34-0) into overtime back in early December. In fact, the Dragons are the only team during the regular season to lose to Mater Dei by less than five points, and one of two teams to lose by 10 points or less. To be able to pull the biggest upset in the nation, O’Dowd will have to stop the one and only Stanley Johnson.

“We have a chance to make O’Dowd history,” said three-year varsity player Jeevin Sandhu. “All of our work is paying off. We’ve grown so much since the season started."

O’Dowd is currently on a 23-game winning streak, and will be making its eight appearance in the California state finals (1-6). Tip off against Mater Dei will be at 8 pm next Saturday at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.