Acorns score 16 of first 20 points in fourth quarter to breeze
by Mustangs, 63-48
MORGAN HILL — Monta Vista Christian boys basketball coach Dan Mooney paid close attention to the Live Oak Acorns’ season opener against Scotts Valley, a back-and-forth drama that Live Oak lost in overtime, 52-51.
Mooney was confident his young team could go toe to toe with the Acorns, who, in the past four years, have struggled to consistently finish games.
Mooney and the Mustangs drew a different opponent Tuesday. They left Live Oak Gym with puzzled looks and a 63-48 loss.
“That’s not the same team I saw two weeks ago,” Mooney said. “They played with a lot more confidence. When a team hasn’t been winning games in a while, once they start rolling, they’re tough to slow down.”
Four days after beating Santa Clara 70-61 to prove they can win games in the fourth quarter, the Acorns (2-2 overall) showed they can do it in the first, second and third quarters, too. They dispensed with their visitors from the Monterey Bay Athletic League in superb fashion, turning a close battle into a runaway no-contest to secure their second consecutive victory.
After leading 41-35, Live Oak scored 16 of the first 20 points in the fourth quarter and led by as many as 21.
“We were just having fun by the end,” said Acorns center Dominic Leach, who led his team with nine rebounds and 18 points while making 10 of 13 from the field. “We’re starting to play like we know we can.”
Live Oak received 16 points and six rebounds from Nathan Seifert, 15 points from Michael Schreiber and assists from seven players. The Acorns’ sharp passing was showcased by Matt Levy’s steal and cross-court pass to Leach for an easy two points in the second quarter and Seifert’s drive and dish to Leach with one second left in the third.
Reserve guard Jason Yeung produced quality minutes, scattering seven points in four quarters.
“The best part is, it wasn’t about one guy carrying us tonight. It was everyone stepping up,” Live Oak coach Brett Paolucci said. “We’re adding depth to our team. When you can get everyone involved and give your starters a break and not lose anything, it does great things for your team.”
The Acorns kept it a two-possession game for most of the first half before MVC cut their lead to 24-23 by halftime. The Mustangs (5-3) went ahead when guard Josh Mooney stole a pass and dropped in a layup to begin the third quarter. Live Oak answered with a 3-point shot by Schreiber and pushed ahead with an 8-4 scoring run capped by Seifert’s coast-to-coast drive.
Center Jon Wylie and forward Jon Sims sank consecutive jumpers to pull MVC within 38-35, but the Acorns reaffirmed control with Leach’s last-second layin.
“They went man to man with us most of the game, so we just looked for the weak side and set screens,” said Leach, a 6-foot-3 senior. “We really passed the ball well.”
The teams protected the ball comparably. Live Oak’s defense in the fourth quarter, however, spoiled any chance of a Mustangs rally. The Acorns forced seven takeaways, which led to 14 points.
“Our defense sets up our offense,” Schreiber said. “We rely on our chemistry a lot, too. We’re finding open shots with our passing.”
Wylie finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, Josh Mooney scored a dozen to go with five steals, and Jon Sims netted seven points to lead MVC.
Dan Mooney attributed the late collapse to his team’s inexperience.
“We’re young just like they were,” he said. “But they played hard against us. Our guys have to grow up fast and play as a team.”
The Acorns take their newfound momentum — and consistency — into this weekend’s Bob Hagen Memorial Tournament at Gilroy High. They open at 8 p.m. Thursday against their old rival, the Gilroy Mustangs.
