| | Published March 2nd, 2011
| Lamorinda Basketball Post-Season Review
| | By Conrad Bassett |  | | Amanda Forshay #14 scored 11 points in the win over Tamalpais
Photo Doug Kohen
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The Campolindo and Acalanes boys' basketball teams were selected for post-season play. As was the case the last two seasons, two Lamorinda teams met early in the playoffs-this time Acalanes traveled to play Campolindo on Tuesday, February 22nd. Campolindo defeated their Lamorinda rivals to progress to the second round, but lost on the road to Analy.
All three of the Lamorinda girls' basketball teams made it to the NCS playoffs with top-five seeds. Campolindo and Miramonte were selected for second and third seeds, respectively and received a first round bye. Acalanes was given a #5 seed and played in the first round. All teams have advanced to the semi-finals and will play tonight, March 2nd. Campolindo hosts Miramonte at 7:00 p.m.
First Round, Tuesday, February 22nd:
The Campolindo and Acalanes boys split their first two meetings in the Diablo Foothill Athletic League regular season, each winning on the road in two close games. The "rubber match" turned out to be close as well, coming down to the final minute.
Dons' senior Stephen Collins hit a free throw to tie it at 53 with 59 seconds to go. Twenty seconds later, Cougars' sophomore John Schmitz drilled a three pointer from the wing to give Campolindo a lead they would not relinquish. Campo won 59 to 53.
The Cougars were led by senior Carl King who finished with 16 points. Junior Robbie Wirth chipped in 13. Acalanes was led by Collins who finished with 15 points and junior James Griffin who had 11.
With the win the Cougars progressed to the second round to take on Analy. The Dons finished their season at 14-13.
On the girls' side, Acalanes, who finished fourth in the DFAL, was slotted with a home game against Drake High from Marin County.
The Lady Dons opened up a 19-7 lead after one period and never looked back as they blasted the Pirates 69 to 40. Senior Kiara Harewood had 19 points, junior Sophie Taylor dropped in 15 while senior Emani Harrison scored 13. Sophomore Marie Paladino added two three-point baskets.
Second Round, February 25th:
The Campolindo boys took the court against Analy in Sebastopol. A perennial power, the Tigers looked to be a tough challenge. Campolindo played strong and at the half they had the lead, 26-25. Analy came back in the third to take the lead heading into the fourth, 41-39. Analy remained ahead and ended the Cougars season, 59-54. Campolindo finished at 19-9. The loss eliminated the last Lamorinda boys' teams from the post-season.
On the girls' side, the stakes were high as the winners of each of these games would not only get to the semi-finals of the NCS, but would also qualify for the Northern California CIF tournament.
The Lady Mat's traveled to Analy. The ride up on Friday night apparently did not tire the Lady Mats as they crushed the Tigers 75-46.
Analy started strong and led by five after the first period but a 16-2 run at the end of the second period, put Miramonte ahead to stay. Coach Kelly Sopak was pleased with the effort and noted, "We are healthy and playing well and the kids are enjoying the ride."
Senior Alyssa Johanson and freshman Breanna Alford both had double doubles with 17 points and 14 points respectively. They each had ten rebounds.
The Acalanes girls took their team on the road to Hayward to meet the Moreau Catholic Mariners. Acalanes beat Moreau 56-46. After trailing at the half by two, the Lady Dons came on strong behind a monster game by Taylor who led all scorers with 22 points to go along with 14 rebounds. Harewood scored 21. The Lady Dons will travel to take on the #1 seeded Bishop O'Dowd Dragons on Wednesday, March 2nd.
Campolindo's girls hosted Tamalpais. The Lady Cougars scored early and often and easily downed the visiting Tamalpais Hawks 74-29. Junior Mallory Brown opened the scoring hitting a three point shot and senior Amanda Forshay scored twice, and the Lady Cougars were up 7-0 and they never looked back. The Hawks hit a layup and then Campo went on a 17-0 run. Campo led by 24-6 after one.
The second period started the same way with junior Annelise Ito making another steal and lay up and Campo led by as many as 26. Ito, who finished with five steals, credited her teammates for giving her the opportunities. Ito said, "My teammates created great pressure and cut off all of Tam's possibilities so I was able to step in and make a lot of steals."
At 6:15 of the fourth, Ito hit two free throws and the lead was 41 and the clock would not stop again. Ito finished with 14 and Amanda Forshay added 11.
Campo was scared by the loss of both Annie Ward (sprained and swollen wrist) and Mallory Brown (stitches on her chin) to injuries. Both left the game and did not return. However, head coach Clay Kallam believes, "Both will be good to go on Wednesday."
This win, along with the Miramonte thrashing of Analy, has set up the third meeting of the year between the Campolindo and Miramonte girls-tonight, Wednesday, March 2, at Campolindo at 7:00 p.m. Campo won the two DFAL regular season meetings.
All three girls' teams qualify for the NorCal tournament which will begin the second week of March.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA