DLS Nips Salesian in OT

[kiddman32]

51-45; the Spartans did pretty much everything right in the extra period.

Really tough defensive battle... Salesian's quick, athletic guards were able to get to the rack fairly well against the Spartans' other tough man-to-man D, but not quite enough and they had trouble finishing under control and scoring. They also couldn't hit much of anything from outside.

Young team with bunches of bouncy, quick-as-a-cat athletes, but they really need work on their shooting... A few zillion J's in the offseason, and they'll be major contenders next year.

DLS didn't have a *great* shooting night, but they weren't bad considering how hard the Pride guys were coming at 'em.

Next up for DLS, Sacramento... They way those guys are playing right now, they are scary indeed.

 

[youseechief]

Salesian normally shoots the ball well. I couldn't agree more. Salesian got to the interior but couldn't finish. I also didn't see much leadership on the court, but that makes sense considering how young they are.

 

[larry legend33]

Kidman- you going Tuesday? I will be in Bay Area so I'm heading over to concord unless they move venue? St. Mary's?
Was it packed? Sac high game was sellout

 

[observer22]

It was also a sellout at Moreau.

 

[kiddman32]

If it wasn't a sellout, it was sure close... The ushers actually had some work to do in this one, helping people find seats, getting folks to squeeze together, etc.

Definitely more crowded than the sold-out-days-ahead Monte Vista games looked when I watched those online. Since I was already inside last night, I have no idea whether anyone got turned away.

I do plan to try to get into the Tuesday game.

 

[sid98765]

In the 4th quarter with Salesian having momentum a few times play was stopped when a person came out onto the court to wipe the floor off. It totally slowed the pace of the game down and killed any momentum that Salesian had. The refs didn't call for anyone to wipe off the court but the person came onto the floor several times. This happened often enough and always when Salesian had momentum that it was suspicious. This clearly slowed the game down and favored DLS. Another strange thing was that the floor was only wiped off at one end like the players were sweating at one end of the court and not the other end.

I’m an impartial fan but it is incidents like this that make it real hard to remain impartial.

 

[sports09]

Stop it! Yes Salesian played them tough. But if Dela would have shot better,, this game would not of even been close. Dls was not up for game and played flat. 9 out of 10 times Dls would win game. Next year different story, yes Salesian will be the powerhouse team in the north. Great coach and young team.

 

[NorCalScout]

DLS was lucky to get out of there with a win last night.
Salesian had so many missed opportunities, missed a bunch of free throws and turned the ball over in critical moments of the game. If Salesian could make an outside shot, this game would have been a double digit win by the Pride. Salesian mas more talent, much better coaching and way more athletic with great pressure D but they lack everything a young team lacks and that's experience.

DLS lacked a solid game plan, execution, ability to knock down big shots or get to the basket with consistency. Kuhle struggled last night and was worried more about the officals and calls then about coaching his guy. Peters and Udenyi both received technicals and when they received them, it felt like the coached congratulated them for there stupid play. This would have never happened on Allocco's watch. The Spartans are talented but lack leadership, experienced coaching, ability to win big games (Orange Lutheran was there only really decent win this year), lost to Bishop Gorman & Centennial, was taken to OT against Monte Vista and taken down to the wire in there 2nd league meeting with Monte Vista, taken down to the wire against Pitt & Castro Valley and now an OT win at home against the 8th seed D4 team playing in the open. I think this teams identity walked out the door when Allocco left for USF, they lack Heart and that will coast them when they play equal talented teams, which they have proven they can't beat (Gorman & Centennial). I sat right behind Allocco and his two assistants when he was at DLS and they were extremely disappointed in the product that they saw and continually kept shaking there heads. In warm ups, it was like kids at a dunk court, everyone trying to dunk and pregame warm ups, that would have never happened with Allocco's teams, no wasted shot and don't practice something you won't do in a game. Macarchuk's playing time was limited and he was rather upset getting only a few minutes in the 2nd half, well if you didn't spend 20 minutes working on your reverse dunks 30-40 minutes before the game, maybe your playing time wouldn't feel like a yoyo.

Spartans will need to ply much better to get by Sac High and if not, there is a double digit loss coming your way. Salesian, your better days will come in in the next few years, you guys play with heart and determination and the experience you received in this OT loss will pay off, trust me. Mellis is one of the better coaches in the game and I see a North Coast, Nor Cal and State Championship coming your way, I was impressed with how your team approaches the game and your kids play basketball the right way.

 

[BillyBob023]

The most important player on the DLS team is Udenyi. The Spartans have no one that can replace him if he is out of the game. The can win without Ratinho or Peters but they cannot without Udenyi. The match up to watch is Young versus Udenyi. DLS will help Udenyi and Sac's other players will have to make some shots.

My opinion.

 

[larry legend33]

Mellis is the real deal. Salesian has a very bright future. Lets face it... Alloco handed over the keys to a porsche with the DLS team to first year coach Kuhle. I mean you figure they would have won 20+ games regardless. It will be interesting to see what he does next year with the loss of some very good seniors. (Peters, Ratinho).

But don't be too harsh. 29-2 and undefeated league isn't exactly chop liver. They beat a very good Alemany team who is still playing in the D1 southern semis. The beat a 33 win Preston Wood Christian team and played horrendous in that Centennial game. They would beat that team 9 out of 10 times.

But I really like the Uhenhi matchup with young. Udenyi stays out of foul trouble and Young will have his hands full. That young man is equally as strong.

Games are about matchups and I really like the contrasting styles in this game. Size killed Folsom last night. That won't be an issue for DLS. Quickness might be their achilles heel though.

 

[sports09]

NorCal scout you are way wrong! Yes Udenyi is good but this team belongs to Ratinho. He can get to the hoop anytime he wants. He has been face guarded and double teamed every game this year and still averages 20 points per game. Udenyi gets his on Ratinho assists when they double him and put backs when they collapse on Ratinho. Kuhle is a good coach! No it's not the same as when Allocco was their. Remember every team gets up to play DLS. DLS has struggled with playing hard consistent and it looks like coaches are definatly not focusing on defense.

 

[youseechief]

Stop it! Yes Salesian played them tough. But if Dela would have shot better,, this game would not of even been close. Dls was not up for game and played flat. 9 out of 10 times Dls would win game. Next year different story, yes Salesian will be the powerhouse team in the north. Great coach and young team.

To say they shot poorly totally disrespects Salesian's defense. Also, let's not pretend Salesian played a great game.

And for the record, he wasn't face guarded or double-teamed last night; BUT, you are spot on that Ratinho is the engine.

Larry,

To say DLS is a Porsche is off a bit. DLS is a Ferrari engine running on knock off tires and a Honda Civic body. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the supporting cast. With that said, their Defense was good enough to win. If I'm not mistaken, DLS resorted to multiple zone defenses to slow down, in my opinion, an above average Salesian team who should have stayed in D4. They better fix themselves quickly.

 

[larry legend33]

Ha ha... My point being DLS wasn't in any sort of a rebuilding year. They were 27-5 the preceding year with 3 losses to MV by a combined 6 points. They returned 3 starters and a lot of supporting players. Most coaches would love to "settle" into something like that. They are sitting at 29-2. We shall see if they make the adjustments and increase their intensity. I will be in the house.

 

[Assist10]

Salesian should have won the game, and Ratino did not impress me as much as Salesians defense,

 

[youseechief]

Whatever you're on I want some. That kid deserves every accolade he gets. He was the best player on the floor without question.

 

[Assist10]

Everybody has an opinion and if he was the best player on the floor me and a bunch of other people missed it!! Other than name recognition help me understand how you came to that conclusion? and I said nothing about accolades or deserving of what, im talking about what I saw on the floor.

 

[youseechief]

He committed a fouls on a put back by a Salesian player. That player (I can't remember the number but I think #10) clapped in Ratinho's face. Really dumb play because he received a tech, stopped a run by the pride, and woke up Ratinho. Ratinho then went on to score or set up the next 8 or 10 points for the Spartans. Every time DLS needed a play Ratinho went to the hoop and scored or created. He was easily the best shooter in the building and could hold his own athletically with anyone in the gym. The only criticism I have is that he didn't handle the small guards from Salesian very well (offensively or defensively) The bigger guards and wings had no effect on him though.

 

[larry legend33]

Ratinho has more upside than a lot of this highly touted players on this board. Its hard to teach the sort of range he has and at 6"5 with length of a 6"7 wing. I'm not saying he's some 5 star player but when I look down the road in college I could see him getting stronger and making a big impact. So many kids around here overpower other players athletically but in college a lot of that goes away. Shooting the 3 ball is such an advantage now and he can do it out to 25.

I would say the one area he needs to work on is his ball skills. If you could play the 1 at all he could be special. At this point still a little shaky.

I will watch him close on Tuesday. See how he does against a long guard like Terrell.

 

[sports09]

Ratinho decommitting from USF? Heard Allocco trying everything he can to keep him. Dad said it would shocking that he stays. He had a lot of offers and that those same schools would still be interested. Asked him who and he said, UCSB, Pepperdine, Utah, Washinton St, Florida Gulf, and Arizona St had come in late in his recruiting.

 

[Assist10]

From my angle on the court that was a terrible call by the official, in no way was that meant as taunting. So that was not a momentum stopper, the two offensive fouls by number 15 was the deal breaker. In terms of creating for teammates you're delusional, and I'm ending this debate becuse I know what I saw!!

 

[NSBasketball]

It would be a good idea for Ratinho to stay at USF or go to a Big West school. Pac 12 may be recruiting but out of his league. Pitts was 10 times the player and struggled to get meaningful minutes in 2 years at UA.

 

[observer22]

Ratinho decommitting from USF? Heard Allocco trying everything he can to keep him. Dad said it would shocking that he stays. He had a lot of offers and that those same schools would still be interested. Asked him who and he said, UCSB, Pepperdine, Utah, Washinton St, Florida Gulf, and Arizona St had come in late in his recruiting.

That's great that Allocco is trying to keep him, but is someone else trying to keep Allocco? He may not be around to help champion Ratinho's cause soon. And there had been speculation on here recently that Pitts may transfer to USF. Is that still on the table, as he may also be looking at other avenues? A lot will depend in who USF brings in as the new HC and if they keep Frank on board.

 

[youseechief]

From my angle on the court that was a terrible call by the official, in no way was that meant as taunting. So that was not a momentum stopper, the two offensive fouls by number 15 was the deal breaker. In terms of creating for teammates you're delusional, and I'm ending this debate becuse I know what I saw!!

I actually think the official scorebook and the final score ended the debate before it began.

 

[larry legend33]

Pitts was a better athlete but actually the gap between Ratinho and him has definitely gotten smaller. I watched both of them pretty closely over the years.
BTW, where is Pitts going? What was the entire story there.

 

[infofreak]

Where would frank A go? Another college?

 

[EHS HOOPS]

Pitts was on the floor in crunch time in the elite 8 in both his freshman and sophomore years... He was more of a defender and did dirty work. Those are very meaningful minutes.

 

[youseechief]

Pitts was obviously, without a doubt, hands down, a better player but I agree with the Legend, Ratinho has closed gap considerably