OAKLAND – ArDarius Grayson is a compact 5-foot-9 guard and Xan Meyer-Plettner is a hulking 6-8 center, Oakland Tech teammates who are about as different in terms of body type and offensive playstyle as could be.
And yet, in front of Bulldog legend Marshawn Lynch and a capacity crowd at the program’s gymnasium in North Oakland, both dominated the skies as menacing shot-blockers in a 52-44 victory over Oakland High on Friday night.
It was the teams first meeting since Tech’s victory in the NorCal Division II championship game.
“This is such a great environment,” said Grayson. “Since I got here my sophomore year, every game we’ve played against O-High has been a close game.”
Reigning Oakland Athletic League MVP Grayson had a team-high 14 points to go with four swats, each tallied as a high-flying menace who erased shots from the weakside as the Bulldogs won their fifth consecutive game against Oakland.
Meanwhile, Meyer-Plettner had at least three official blocks and another dozen shots affected as the strongside defender on the block, standing tall and giving Wildcat drivers zero space to operate inside.
It was a stark contrast to what Tech, who had played well against most of its non-league competition, showed in an 85-59 loss to Inderkum on MLK Day.
“We had a bad showing on Monday,” Meyer-Plettner said. “We felt that we had to come back and prove who we are by sticking to our identity.”
The duo, alongside other swarming defenders such as Jasen Davis, Brandon Woodards, Luther George and Caleb Rollins, formed a smothering defense befitting of the reigning Division II state champions.
It was the kind of effort coach Karega Hart could be proud of on the night he won his 300th games as coach of his alma mater.
“We’re hungry and we’re humble,” said Hart. “For young people, its hard not to get caught up in the hype, and it is my job to keep them grounded and focused on the task at hand.”
Tech appeared primed to turn the game into a laugher when jumped out to a swift 11-0 lead off the strength of three Saddiq Alarbesh triples, the last one coming from 30 feet away and forcing Wildcat coach Orlando Watkins to call timeout.
While his Oakland squad regrouped, fighting back to 13-10 thanks to two layups by Dominique Trotter, a Luca Castaldini jumper and four points by forward Romyn Waugh, that good form did not continue in the second quarter.
Tech’s defense held Oakland to just five made free throws, and the Bulldogs ended the period on a 13-1 run and went into halftime up 30-15, the highlight being two off-the-dribble contested three-pointers by Grayson.
“We were the hunters last year, and this year we are the ones being hunted because we’re state champs,” Grayson said. “But we pride ourselves on bringing our tough hat every single night.”
Oakland got the deficit to within five in the second half and even got Tech into foul trouble in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs reserves were able to keep the lead to at least five at all times as Grayson and Meyer-Plettner sat on the bench.
Oakland guard Da’sean Armstrong scored all of his team-high 12 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough as Tech was able to grind out another victory.
Since felling the Bulldogs at Laney College in the NorCal Division III title game in 2023, the Watkins’ Wildcats have lost each of the last five matchups by single-digits. And just like after those other losses, Watkins pointed to one defining factor.
Toughness.
Tech’s defensive tenacity extended to more than highlight blocks. The home team also fought over every screen, dove into the packed bleachers for loose balls, and took charges and pride in doing the little things. All aspects of the game Watkins wanted to see from how own team.
“Tech outworked us, they wanted it more, they won every 50-50 ball,” Watkins said. “We were soft.”
“They’re the best team in Oakland.”
Tech (15-5, 4-0) will take a break from OAL play when it plays host to Berkeley on Saturday, and Oakland (15-5, 3-1) will play host to league opponent McClymonds on Wednesday.
The rivalry will be renewed at Oakland on Feb. 12 in the regular season finale, then during a probable matchup in the Oakland Section title game later that month, and possibly for a fourth time for the third consecutive year in regional play.
That would be fine with Tech.
“Its always fun, and its always battles between the two of us,” Meyer-Plettner said.
