DUBLIN — When Dougherty Valley performs because it did Friday night time towards Dublin — swishing 3-pointers, slicing to the basket, burying one free throw after one other — there isn’t a lot an opponent can do.
Even when the opponent’s fitness center is packed and rocking.
Even when the opponent has fairly a bit on the road.
Even when one in every of Dougherty Valley’s finest gamers had 4 factors at halftime and one other had zero.
Main by two on the break, the Bay Space Information Group’s top-ranked group stretched the margin to double digits by the beginning of the fourth quarter and went on to safe the No. 1 seed in subsequent week’s East Bay Athletic League event with an 80-65 victory.
What labored?
“We shared the ball,” stated coach Mike Hansen, whose program had misplaced its earlier 10 video games towards Dublin. “That makes us powerful to protect. It doesn’t sit in a single man’s fingers.”
Ryan Beasley was spectacular for the profitable aspect, ending with 29 factors and 9 rebounds. The USF-bound senior was 10 for 10 from the foul line.
Connor Sevilla, who had 4 factors at halftime, erupted with three 3-pointers throughout a third-quarter surge. He completed 24 factors and was 7 of seven from the free-throw line within the fourth quarter.
“That’s the MVP proper there,” Beasley stated.
Blake Hudson, who didn’t have some extent via two quarters, scored eight within the second half. He helped ignite the third-quarter run with a breakaway dunk that started when Landon Edmond made a block on the different finish.
With Hudson and Sevilla quiet offensively within the first half, Dougherty (23-3, 8-1) bought assist from Chris Fallgren and Aadi Malali. Each had two 3-pointers earlier than halftime.
“These two position guys actually bought the scoring going,” Hansen stated. “Then everybody settled down and we may get to our second and third man. Then Ryan bought going after which Connor will get going. It’s powerful.”
Dublin (18-8, 7-2) would have captured the highest seed within the league event had it received. As an alternative, the Gaels dropped to the No. 3 seed due to a head-to-head loss to De La Salle, which was seeded second.
The highest two seeds acquired byes till the semifinals.
The No. 3 seed will get began within the quarterfinals.
“We knew we needed to come out and get this one seed,” Beasley stated. “It means so much. However we’re not going to yell. We’re going for EBAL, too.”
Dublin coach Tom Costello stated his postgame message to his group was no completely different from different video games.
Jalen Stokes had 16 factors and Courtney Anderson Jr. completed with 15 factors to guide seventh-ranked Dublin, which additionally bought 12 factors from Donovan Cooks.
“We’re going to get up, we’re going to get to work, we’re going to hit the weights, we’re going to follow and we’re going to play a very good group,” Costello stated. “It doesn’t change.”
The primary half was tight.
Dougherty made 5 baskets within the opening quarter — 4 of them from 3-point vary — and led 14-13 after eight minutes.
Dublin bought sizzling early within the second quarter, happening an 8-0 run to seize a 21-16 lead. However 11 factors from Beasley within the interval gave Dougherty a 33-31 benefit on the break.
Even together with his group trailing, Costello was inspired.
“I felt fairly good at halftime,” he stated. “I can’t fault our guys’ effort. I can’t fault our vitality. They performed laborious. There have been some momentum changers. We’ll go away it at that.”
Dublin will play its first EBAL event sport on Wednesday. Dougherty Valley’s first sport within the event is Thursday.
If the environment is something like Friday, will probably be particular.
The fitness center was so packed that exit doorways have been opened so the overflow crowd may watch from exterior.
“How will you not love this surroundings in case you’re a highschool athlete,” Costello stated. “You don’t get this at prep faculties. You don’t get this at constitution faculties. That is what highschool basketball is about.”
