TOP STORYLINE: AMERICAN’S SHOCKER
For anyone who thought the Mission Valley Athletic League was a one-team league this season — i.e. Moreau Catholic and no one else — here is a score that badly contradicts that notion: American 61, Redwood 58, overtime. That’s right, the 14th-seeded American boys traveled to Marin County on Wednesday and returned home to Fremont with a victory over third-seeded Redwood, a result that sends the Eagles soaring on cloud nine as they advance to play at sixth-seeded Benicia in the North Coast Section Division II quarterfinals on Saturday night. Kiratraj Sanghera (19 points), Jordan Bucko (17 points) and Sahaj Bahia (12 points) were American’s leading scorers. Bucko had nine points in overtime. Redwood beat San Ramon Valley in December, a fact that did not escape the Eagles as they made the drive home. SRV is the fourth seed in the NCS Open Division. “I’ve got some kids in the car and they just brought that up a little bit ago,” said American coach Ed Villatoro, whose team improved to 18-9. “They were talking about that.” Villatoro has coached the varsity program at American for 10 years. The playoff berth this season was the team’s first under the coach. Now, the Eagles will have two NCS games in one week. How did the they pull it off against Redwood? “We got off to a good start,” Villatoro said. “It kind of gave us some confidence to get off to a good start. Our seniors played well. It was close all the way.” The teams were tied 17-17 after one quarter. American led 28-25 at halftime and 37-35 heading into the fourth period. The score was 47-47 at the end of regulation. So … what did the Eagles do to celebrate? A nice dinner before the drive home? “Not tonight,” Villatoro said. “It’s been a long day. They had to get out of school early. It’s more of get them home, get them some rest, let them finish any homework they’ve got. That’ll have to wait. We have another game to play Saturday.” — Darren Sabedra
SURPRISES
The one upset in the girls Division II bracket saw No. 10 College Park throttle No. 7 Irvington on the road 65-40 behind Taylor Ochoa’s 22 points. A mild surprise unfolded in girls Division IV as No. 9 St. Mary’s-Berkeley edged out No. 8 Lick-Wilmerding 64-60. — Nathan Canilao
GAME DETAILS
Division II boys
No. 4 Moreau Catholic 76, No. 13 Ukiah 55: Moreau cruised at home behind 16 points from Dominic Walker and 15 from Kevin Chapman. The Mariners also got 12 points from Cole Loud and 10 each from Spencer Shonnard and Tyler Bailey as they stretched their winning streak to 15 games. Moreau (20-7) advances to play host to fifth-seeded Alameda on Saturday. Alameda beat No. 12 seed Las Lomas 64-55. Ukiah finished 12-7.
No. 6 Benicia 43, No. 11 Petaluma 31: Jacob Edwards and Jackdan Eyike each scored 11 points as Benicia, playing at home, advanced to the quarterfinals with a victory over Petaluma. The visitors led 24-21 at halftime but managed just five points in the third quarter as Benicia took charge. Benicia (19-10) advances to the quarterfinals on Saturday at home against No. 14 seed American. Petaluma finished 21-8.
No. 9 Tamalpais 75, No. 8 Northgate 72: Northgate’s season came to an end on its home court as the Broncos fell to Tamalpais in a first-round game. Auvin Cole (16 points), Jace Peterson (14 points) and Logan Raven (12 points) were the leading scorers for Tamalpais, which advances to play at top-seeded Montgomery on Saturday. Northgate fell to 18-11.
Division II girls
No. 4 Moreau Catholic 68, No. 13 Hayward 35: Mahlaysia Atkins and Elisa Ortega each had 14 points to lead the Mariners past crosstown rival Hayward. Moreau put the game away early, holding a 43-15 lead at halftime. Evalynn Jimenez led Hayward with 18 points.
No. 5 Foothill 53, No. 12 Antioch 39: Riley Young and Beti Terpstra each had 18 points in a 14-point win over Antioch. The Falcons were clicking from the jump, scoring 35 points in the first half. Foothill didn’t allow Antioch to score more than 14 points in a quarter in a solid defensive performance.
No. 3 Miramonte 67, Rancho Cotate 46: Karena Eberts turned in another high-scoring performance as she dropped 28 points in a blowout win over Rancho Cotate. The Matadors scored 60 points in three quarters to advance to the quarterfinals, where they’ll face Diablo Athletic League foe Northgate.
— Darren Sabedra and Nathan Canilao
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ON TAP FOR THURSDAY
The section’s Open Division playoffs begin with two boys and two girls games. It will be a rematch in the boys bracket as fourth-seeded San Ramon Valley will play host to fifth-seeded Granada. The teams have met twice this season, both times at Granada. The home team won 60-58 during the regular season. In the sequel last week, SRV rolled 80-56 and then beat De La Salle 68-59 to capture the East Bay Athletic League tournament championship. SRV didn’t get a bump from the NCS selection committee for the De La Salle triumph. Instead, the Wolves simply earned another date with Granada. … Clayton Valley Charter did get a bump from its victory over Ygnacio Valley in the Diablo Athletic League tournament final, earning the sixth and final spot in the Open. The Uglies will travel to the North Bay to face third-seeded Branson. … In the girls Open, third-seeded Carondelet will visit sixth-seeded Piedmont because, per the NCS bylaws, league champions get the home game in the first round if the opponent did not win its league. Welp, Carondelet did not win its league. … In the other girls first-round game, No. 5 Bishop O’Dowd will travel to fourth-seeded Acalanes, which has won 14 in a row. — Darren Sabedra
