MORAGA, CA - The Campolindo girls basketball team overcame a slow start to prevail over visiting Tamalpais, 75-51, in a CIF NorCal quarterfinal Saturday night.
After leading just 16-12 at the end of the first quarter, Campolindo exploded in the second period. The onslaught began with 3-pointers by senior point guard Emily Lyall and sophomore guard Ashley Thoms and baskets by Grace McGuire and Haley Van Dyke.
The Cougars also benefited from multiple fouls to add to their lead on the free-throw line. At halftime, Campolindo built its lead to 41-19.
The visitors kept it close early on. A 3-pointer by Jaiana Harris and a basket by Barbara Zacharaiassen cut the deficit to 16-12 at the end of the period. Baskets by Ruby Bowser and Amari Allison were also instrumental in Tamalpais' early success.
“We had a lot of injuries during the week, but we kept the ball moving well” said Campolindo coach Art Thoms.
In the third quarter, Tamalpais stormed back with four field goals from Allison and a 3-pointer by junior guard Megan Lee, but the Campo defense maintained the lead.
“We came out tough on defense during the third quarter,” said Thoms. “We were out of control on the ball during the third quarter, but as soon as we settled down, we started to pull away."
The Cougars added two-point shots from McGuire and Van Dyke, plus a 3-point shot from Thoms.
During the fourth quarter, the host Cougars began to pull away with two 3-pointers by Lyall, a 3-pointer from Thoms, and four field goals by Van Dyke.
“Somebody always steps up during every game depending on what the other team is doing,” said Thoms.
With the loss, Tamalpais (28-6) finishes with its best season in school history, and its first CIF State playoff berth.
With the win, Campolindo (25-5) will face No. 10 seed Inderkum (23-8) at home in the CIF NorCal Division III semifinals on Tuesday night.
