sorry about the delay.....
here we go...
Day 1 of the Cardinal Newman classic....
Game 1. 3:30pm
SHC 96 Oakland 36
Junior studette Limari'i Thomas leads the way for SHC with 28 pts.
Thomas showed why she is one of the best juniors in the state. She was bringing the ball up, getting SHC into their offense. Crashing the boards offensively and defensively and generally doing it all. Nice game.
Jr Edina Del Rosario also had 10 pts for SHC.
For Oakland Aleah Sims led the way with 10 pts.
I thought the refs had an EXTREMELY soft whistle. Some interesting scratch your head calls by one of the refs. Frustrating as a basketball fan.
Game 2. 5;00pm
The best game of the night....
Regis Jesuit 57 Piedmont 55
Piedmont without their 6'2 starting center Kelsey Fennell who is still playing water polo.
Right out of the gate both teams got after it, Intense and physical.
Regis pressed and the Piedmont youngsters(they started 2 frosh and a soph) had a little trouble with it to begin.
Regis had a decent halftime lead 35-26 and stretched it to as high as 15 mid 3rd....it looked like the rout was on.
But Piedmont showing a lot of heart came roaring back to actually take the lead by 1 pt mid 4th, I thought Piedmont youngsters played well and settled down after the initial press shock. With 1 minute left in the 3rd Piedmont best player NyDajah Jackson fouled out with the score 44-41 RJ. The 4th quarter was back and forth with RJ maintaining a 1-3 pt lead. Until finally Piedmont took a 1 pt lead with just over 3 mins left. It was tied at 53 all with 3 mins left when sophomore starter Jasmine Huggins also fouled out for Piedmont. It was still tied at 55 all with :25 secs. On the last possession RJ senior American University bound TaeKenya Cleveland scored with 9.8 secs left to give RJ the win.
for Piedmont NyDajah Jackson had 14 pts.
For RJ TaeKenya Cleveland had 17 pts.
I thought Piedmont showed a lot of heart. They could have caved in but didn't. They battled to the end, even with 3 starters out at that point. Tough loss but a lot to be proud of.
I thought the Regis Jesuit bigs were pretty good. I can see why 6'4 sophomore Noelle Cahill (#40) is being recruited by Stanford. She BIG and strong, has great court sense and awareness, sees the floor well and is a good passer. She moves well (definitely not a stiff..lol) and looks like she is working on developing a post game (but its still a work in progress).
Game 3 6;30 pm
CN 62 Menlo 51
I was impressed with Menlo. They played hard and battled. You can see why they are the 3 time defending CCS D4 champs. It was 26-25 CN at half. It was a 20-12 3rd by CN that ultimately gave them the difference in the final score. I thought BOTH teams shot the 3 pretty well but it was the CN size that gave Menlo trouble as they had countless shots blocked inside.
Sam Erisman of Menlo had a very good game with 16 pts. She impressed with me with her toughness and tenacity.
She's a good ballplayer and can play on my team anytime.
For CN Hailey Vice-Neat had 19 pts. including 3 3's
and freshman Avery Cargill getting the start at PG in her 1st varsity game had 14 pts including 3 3's.
Game 4 8:00 PM
Ore. City 72 Santa Rosa 45
Santa Rosa actually hung tough early on but missed too many layups and found themselves down 22-13 at the end of 1.
Honestly if they had just made their layups it could have very easily been a 2 pt game at the end of 1.
BUT in the 2nd quarter OC came with the heat. And a 25-2 run later it was OC 47 SR 15 at half.
For the rest of the game it was very workmanlike for OC and they were able to get their reserves some run.
For OC Vandy commit Cierra Walker had 15 pts. on 5 3's.
And Central Wash commit Taylor Shaw had 18 pts.
For Santa Rosa Emily Codding had 15 pts.
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My overall take on the day.....
EVERYONE looked rusty as hell. Lots of turnovers and stupid fouls. EXCEPT for Oregon City who looked like they were in midseason form.
I think form held....the teams we thought would win the 1st round games, did.
which makes for some VERY interesting 2nd round games today.
Game 1 3;30 pm
Oakland VS Santa Rosa
Oakland has had a rough start on the year and is desperate need of a win. They should contend in the OAL and ultimately I would expect them to make their sections. So a win vs another D1 opponent is huge.
Santa Rosa is in tough right out of the gate with their schedule. The CN classic and then the Amador Valley tourney where they open vs Berkeley. Wins will be tough to come by. This is a chance for a win vs a D1 opponent. As I previously said...big game for BOTH teams.
I would expect this game to be a battle.
Game 2 5:00pm
Menlo Vs Piedmont.
Another potential seedings game. I expect both teams to be in Norcals, This game could determine who gets the higher seed between the 2 when the time comes.
Piedmont Center Kelsey Fennell is expected back today.
I think this game will be a great game. The 2nd best game of the day/night.
Game 3 6:30
SHC vs OC
Expect a war....
Its been 1 year since a controversial no call at the buzzer cost SHC a chance to beat OC last year in a 1 pt loss in this game.
The SHC coaching staff and the kids have been waiting for their rematch.
The game of the night.
I cant wait!! lol
Game 4 8:00pm
CN vs Regis Jesuit.
Lots of college bound "Bigs" in this game. RJ goes 6'4, 6'1, 6'1....CN goes 6'5, 6'3, 6'0....
BUT it will be the guards who determine who wins this game IMO.
http://www.ysn365.com/live/ will air the 2 winners bracket games again at 6:30 and 8:00pm
