They are now eligible for CCS after 62-43 rout of Del Mar
MORGAN HILL
The Sobrato Bulldogs might not get a chance to play for a league championship in boys basketball. At least their postseason hopes are in good hands.
Travis Saenz had a season-high 15 points Friday in a 62-43 romp over Del Mar, and the Bulldogs became Central Coast Section playoff eligible by sweeping their three games in Santa Teresa Division play last week, clinching no worse than a .500 finish in league. Sobrato was coming off wins over Hill, 53-48, on Wednesday and Overfelt, 49-43, on Monday.
Scott Taylor added a dozen points Friday, Austin Mueting and Ben Vater chipped in eight apiece, and Pierre Hemphill scored seven for the Bulldogs (12-8 overall, 8-2 league), who are 7-1 at home this winter.
Sobrato trails first place Branham by two games with four to play, including a regular-season ending showdown against the Bruins on Feb. 11 in Morgan Hill. The Bulldogs need help from Overfelt, Hill or Del Mar to challenge for at least share of a second straight conference title.
Sobrato has won two in a row since losing 64-61 at Branham on Jan. 20.
The Bulldogs jumped all over last place Del Mar (5-15, 2-8) on Friday, totaling 19 points in the first quarter and 18 in the third.
Sobrato remained on pace to represent the Santa Teresa along with Branham in the Blossom Valley Athletic League Tournament.
Prospect 50, LOHS 49
Acorns forward Kevin O’Rourke had 19 points and hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 15 seconds left, but host Prospect answered with a free throw in the final second to avoid a major upset Friday in West Valley Division play.
The second place Panthers (10-8, 9-1) earned a decisive trip to the free throw line after a drawing a shooting foul on a follow-through with nine-tenths of a second left. The Prospect shooter made his first attempt to clinch it.
“It was a pretty disturbing way to end it, but it was a great game. The fans got their money’s worth,” Live Oak coach Brett Paolucci said. “Coming back and playing these guys tough after losing by (28) to them the first time around; to take them down to the last possession is very encouraging. It’s disappointing at the same time.”
Though they played with nothing to lose and put up a great fight, the Acorns (5-15, 4-6) certainly could have used a win. They need to take three of their remaining four games to become playoff eligible — but can do so by defending their home court.
Live Oak hosts three beatable opponents, starting with fourth place Lincoln at 7 p.m. Tuesday, then last place San Jose on Thursday and sixth place Lick on Feb. 11 to end the regular season. The Acorns visit third place Gunderson on Feb. 9.
“Based on our record, we’ve had to go back to work after a loss a bunch of times this year,” Paolucci said. “I don’t expect (Friday’s loss) to bother us. I told the guys to take their anger out on Lincoln. I’m excited to see how they respond.”
Live Oak also received 12 points from Matt Levy, matching a season high, and seven apiece from Austin Carvalho and Eddie Plascencia.
Brian Kaewkan scored 12 points to lead the Panthers, who trail Mount Pleasant by one game.
BOYS SOCCER
LOHS 1, Westmont 0
Jacob Montoya scored in the first half Friday to clinch the Acorns’ 10th win this season.
Live Oak (10-1-2, 6-1-1) remained in first place, a game ahead of Sobrato, in the Santa Teresa Division.
SHS 2, Santa Teresa 0
The Bulldogs swept the season series against the Saints on Friday with goals by David Mandujano and Kimanni Shannon, who has scored in three of the last four games.
Sobrato (8-5-1, 6-2) matched its wins total from 2009-10.
