Live Oak can become playoff eligible with win Friday at Mount
Pleasant
MORGAN HILL — As Cody Gallizioli steadied his aim and knocked down two free throws at the end of Wednesday’s 52-44 win over Lick, teammates Dominic Leach and Michael Schreiber pounded fists at midcourt.
The three are part of a graduating group of Live Oak basketball players that became their team’s first to win on Senior Night in four years.
“Not too many seniors have gone out with a win in their last home game, so this definitely feels great,” said Gallizioli, who finished with nine points.
The Acorns have a shot at a much larger win Friday at Mount Pleasant. That they outlasted a scrappy Comets team Wednesday behind strong defense and big shots in the fourth quarter leaves them in position to finish .500 in league and become playoff eligible on the final night of the regular season. Live Oak (9-14 overall, 6-7 West Valley Division) can also put to rest the notion that it can’t win big games on the road.
This is as big as it gets.
“You got to win on the road. That’s what it comes down to,” said junior guard Jason Yeung, who scored eight points and came down with three defensive rebounds in the final two minutes. “We have to play defense and take their crowd out of it.”
Lick (10-13, 7-6) came close to doing just that until Gallizioli and Schreiber put Live Oak ahead for good on a hustle play that became a five-point trip with 5:37 remaining.
Gallizioli stole the ball then dished long to Schreiber for a breakaway layup. Schreiber was fouled by Antonio Romo on the way up and sank two free throws to give Live Oak a 37-36 lead. Because the foul was intentional, the Acorns retained possession. Gallizioli drew a foul on his drive to the net and sank 1 of 2 free throws to make it a two-point game.
After the teams traded baskets, Schreiber buried a 3-pointer from the right corner to all but ice it with 2:31 left. The Comets couldn’t land a big shot from there.
Schreiber, a senior guard, led his team with 16 points, and Leach scored 11 at center.
“I’m eating myself up inside right now,” Lick coach Ron Staden said. “Live Oak definitely wanted it. They played like it. Our effort was good tonight, but Live Oak wanted it more. They came up with some big stops at the end.”
Keian Taylor had 17 points, and Clinton Okoro added a dozen for the Comets, who are likely headed to the postseason. Both Division III teams will learn their fate at this weekend’s Central Coast Section playoff meeting.
“They’re definitely going. They’re a good team; a very athletic team that gets up and down the floor,” Acorns coach Brett Paolucci said of Lick. “They have great guards. With our situation, I have to hand it to our guys, Cody and Brian Perry, for playing well against them.
“Going in, we stressed hustle and staying active. We made turnovers, but we came up with some key defensive rebounds.”
Live Oak’s starting point guard, Nathan Seifert, has been out with mono but could return Friday — when the playoff-bound Mount Pleasant Cardinals honor their seniors.
Asked if he reminded his club that postseason berths will go to which teams want them more this week, Paolucci said, “No. I’ve been preaching that all season.”
