MOREAU CATHOLIC BOYS REACH NCS SEMIFINALS
University of Pacific-bound forward Kellen Hampton poured in 26 points on Saturday to lead top-seeded Moreau Catholic into the semifinals of the North Coast Section Division II playoffs on Saturday night with a 62-35 victory over eighth-seeded Urban-San Francisco.
Hampton scored 12 points in the fourth quarter in a game that saw Moreau struggle mightily in the first half. The Mariners (23-5), ranked ninth in the Bay Area News Group Top 20, led just 25-22 at intermission, but the second half was much different.
Moreau outscored Urban 37-13 in the third and fourth quarters, including a 17-2 blitz in the final period.
Up next for Moreau in the semifinals Wednesday will be a home game against fourth-seeded University-San Francisco (20-10), which handled Las Lomas 83-67 on Saturday.
Hampton, who stands 6-foot-7, leads Moreau with a 19.4 points per game scoring average. His 5.8 rebounds per game also tops the Mariners. According to 247sports, he was recruited quite heavily, having received offers from Cal, Arizona State, St. John’s, Creighton, USF and San Jose State among others before settling on UOP.
— Mike Lefkow
PIEDMONT BOYS ADVANCE BEHIND BIG NIGHT FROM CASEY
Dillon Casey scored 25 points and was one of three Piedmont players in double figures as the Highlanders (14-14) advanced to the NCS Division IV semifinals with a 78-69 win over ninth-seeded Bethel.
Next up for Piedmont is Windsor on Wednesday on the Highlanders’ home floor. The 12th-seeded Jaguars have the same 14-14 record as Piedmont.
Besides Casey’s 25 points, Ravi Silverberg scored 19 points and Lucian Fang Ring had 17. PJ Brayer had 15 rebounds for the Highlanders. The game was close throughout, with Piedmont clinging to a 55-51 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
The Highlanders are a young team, as Casey, Fang Ring and Brayer all return next season.
— Mike Lefkow
SANTA TERESA TOPS 80 AGAIN
During a recent three-game losing streak, Santa Teresa scored no more than 63 points in any of the losses. That’s not the Saints’ game. When they’re on a roll, they score much more than 63.
Saturday’s game in the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs was another example.
Santa Teresa outlasted Independence 89-78 as Ayden Bobbitt (25 points), Hayden Lake (17), Max Dohina (15) and Evan Guillermo (13) scored in double figures for the home team.
In their past three victories, the Saints have scored 91, 83 and now 89.
Next up for Santa Teresa is a road game against third-seeded Carlmont in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
This matchup will be an interesting clash of styles.
In six of its past nine games, Carlmont allowed no more than 46 points.
Something will have to give on Tuesday.
– Darren Sabedra