Action grew more intense on the second day of the West Coast Classic at Valley Christian on Friday evening. The Warriors, defending their home court, advanced to the championship game by beating Mt. Eden (Hayward) 84-61. Next, the team plays Foothill of Pleasanton in a winner-take-all showdown to see who leaves the tournament with the championship trophy.
It was all about the outside shooting touch for Valley Christian in the semifinals, and the team combined to hit twelve 3-pointers in the game, breaking a 7-year-old tournament record for threes in a single game set by Christian High of El Cajon in 1999. Mt. Eden pounded the ball inside to their post players and got some lay ups in transition, but after the 1st quarter, they were never able to pull closer than 8 or 9 points. In what has become typical fashion, the Warriors pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Monarchs 26-13 in that final period.
Two stellar offensive efforts paced VC in the game: Senior guard, Andrew Daou hit six 3-pointers and really shouldered the offensive load for the Warriors in the first half, finishing the game with 26 points. Meanwhile, sophomore guard, Tim Harris, got hot after the break (18 second half points) and finished the game with 27 points overall. Time and time again, Daou and Harris lifted the Warriors with big baskets as the Monarchs were trying to mount a comeback.
Senior forward, Mike Lampkin, provided some great defensive intensity in the game, and he led the line of players who finally started to break the game open in the 3rd and 4th quarters. “I try to come in and make the other post players really have to work hard to score,” said Lampkin, “and tonight I was able to help force some turnovers out of our press too.”
Foothill too has shot the ball tremendously from the outside thus far in the tournament, and the Falcons bring a mature, tough, physical group to the championship game. “It will be a true test for us,” said VC head coach, Steve Cotton, “They’re one of the better teams in a very strong league, and they beat two tough teams to get here. We’re going to have to play very well to beat them.” The championship contest tips off at 7:30 Saturday night. Come out to support the Warriors!
Box Score
Other tournament action:
In the other championship bracket semifinal, Foothill battled Berkeley the whole game, with the lead swaying back and forth. Neither team could distance themselves from the other, but in the end Foothill was able to foul out Berkeley’s star big man, 6-10 Matt Simpkins, and hold off a 4th-quarter surge by Yellowjacket point guard, DJ Bagsby, to beat Berkeley 75-73. The Falcons were led by a trio of top scorers: Ryan Dadrass (25 points), Steven Pratt (21 points), and Bryce Alvari (17 points).
In one consolation bracket semifinal, McClymonds ended Gilroy’s tournament life with a 60-44 victory. The Warriors shook off their day 1 lethargy to pressure Gilroy all over the court. The Mustangs – perhaps feeling the effects of their tough loss to Berkeley the night before – never got on track offensively. Three double figure scorers led McClymonds: Guard William Cherry (17 points), Center Dannon Lemon (12 points), and Forward Frank Otis (12 points).
The other consolation bracket game saw Woodside polish off a late-arriving Hercules squad 52-34. Hercules was forced to take the court immediately when they showed up 45 minutes late for the game, and the Titans never seemed to warm up. Jordan Carr led Woodside with 12 points in the game, setting up a date with McClymonds for the Wildcats.
Saturday’s Schedule (12-9-06):
Consolation Championship:
Woodside vs. McClymonds – 4:30pm
3rd Place Game:
Mt. Eden vs. Berkeley – 6:00pm
Championship Game:
Valley Christian vs. Foothill – 7:30pm
