OAKLAND — Not much needed to be said by Bishop O’Dowd coach Malik McCord at halftime.
His players knew what was up.
They knew that what unfolded in the opening half Thursday night was not to their standard, that something had to change or their quest for a state championship would end several steps from the prize.
Leading by two at the break, second-seeded O’Dowd shifted into top gear, outscoring seventh-seeded St. Ignatius by 21 in the third quarter, and prevailed 56-27.
The host Dragons advanced to the semifinals of the NorCal Division I regional on Saturday at home against third-seeded Oak Ridge a 60-51 winner over Archbishop Riordan on Thursday.
“We were out of rhythm,” McCord said. “We let them dictate our offensive flow in the first half. We had to change that. It was what we practiced all week. They run back to zone. If we beat them down court, we will be fine. They woke up. I just think we were a little asleep in the first half.”
The Dragons definitely beat the Central Coast Section Open Division runner-up down the court. Over and over, until it was clear that this game would end in a rout.
O’Dowd had three players score in double figures but contributions from many more.
“We were just angry with ourselves,” senior point guard Savannah Jones said. “We knew we could play better. We knew this wasn’t our game and we’re not going to let anyone get in our way.
“Once we started making defensive stops and getting those steals and running the floor like we know we can do, it was beautiful.”
Bishop O’Dowd ’s Savannah Jones (11) dribbles against St. Ignatius High in the first half of their CIF NorCal Division II basketball semifinal game at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Sophomores Jayla Stokes and Devin Cosgriff each scored 11 points and freshman Myella Chapman added 10 points to lead O’Dowd.
Sophia Sanchez had seven points for St. Ignatius, all in the first half.
The Wildcats finished 19-11.
Cosgriff opened the second half with two free throws and a 3-pointer. Stokes followed with a moon shot that went in from well beyond the arc, widening the advantage to 28-18.
Julia Alcantara’s basket briefly stalled the onslaught, cutting the margin to 28-20.
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O’Dowd followed with a 26-2 run to make it 54-22.
“They’re locked in,” McCord said. “They knew what we could do.”
And if they continue to play as they did in the second half, how dangerous are the Dragons?
“Very,” McCord said. “That’s the thing. We’re peaking at the right time. I am excited about this group. They really want to win state and are taking it one game at a time. It’s been a blessing. The girls are working hard. I’m very confident in this group, even though we’re young.”
Bishop O’Dowd ’s Myella Chapman (21) makes a basket against St. Ignatius’ Stephanie Frias (5) in the second half of their CIF NorCal Division II basketball semifinal game at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Bishop O’Dowd ’s Myella Chapman (21) dribbles the ball against St. Ignatius High in the second half of their CIF NorCal Division II basketball semifinal game at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Bishop O’Dowd ’s Savannah Jones (11) passes the ball against St. Ignatius High in the first half of their CIF NorCal Division II basketball semifinal game at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Bishop O’Dowd ’s Nyah Greenwood (15) lays up a shot against St. Ignatius High in the first half of their CIF NorCal Division II basketball semifinal game at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)