For nearly a quarter of Thursday
’s Central Coast Section Division I playoff game, it looked like
the No. 16 Live Oak High boys basketball team might have a shot at
a huge upset over top seed Woodside. But an 11-10 lead quickly
disappeared and the Acorns never got closer than 12 points the rest
of the way en route to a 76-58 loss
at Woodside.
For nearly a quarter of Thursday’s Central Coast Section Division I playoff game, it looked like the No. 16 Live Oak High boys basketball team might have a shot at a huge upset over top seed Woodside.
But an 11-10 lead quickly disappeared and the Acorns never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way en route to a 76-58 loss at Woodside.
But LO coach Brett Paolucci said he was pleased with his team’s performance against the talented home team.
“It was an experience playing the No. 1 team but I was happy with how we played,” Paolucci said. “Woodside was really athletic, they must have had 20 offensive boards and their transition offense was impressive. But our kids walked out of their gym with their heads held high. They gave it their all.”
Leading the way for LO were senior guard Doug Porras, who had a team-high 20 points, including four 3-pointers, and senior forward Matt van Keulen, who added 15 points including three 3-pointers.
“Doug had a phenomenal game,” Paolucci said. “What a way to go out in your senior year. He kept us in the game. The last two games, that’s probably the best we’ve shot all year.”
On Tuesday, the host Acorns routed No. 17 Mount Pleasant 76-46 in the lone D-I first-round boys basketball playoff matchup. In a game reminiscent of the NCAA Tournament play-in games, the Acorns took control early on and never let up against the overmatched visitors. After leading by just 12-8 after one quarter, LO lengthened its lead to 35-20 on the strength of a 14-4 run midway through the second quarter. The Acorns upped their lead to 46-22 early in the third quarter, then blew the game out in the fourth as Paolucci emptied his bench. LO was led by Porras, who scored 16 points, van Keulen, who had 13, and senior Kevin Toombs, who added 12.
