NorCalPreps.com - Panthers own 4th quarter over Menlo

March 11, 2009

Kevin McCarthy
NorCalPreps.com Analyst

It's always tempting to sum up an athletic contest using an analogy and sometimes it's actually apt to do so. The latter was never more true than labeling Menlo versus St. Mary's (Berkeley) the middle distance guys against the sprinters. In this case, it was the darting and dashing of the Berkeley-ites that prevailed 60-45 on Tuesday night.

It's not that host Menlo couldn't or wouldn't run as the Knights enjoyed a few fastbreaks. But Kris Weems' squad wanted to operate at its chosen speed and not get caught up in a prevailing race up and down the court. At the end of the first quarter, the strategy was working as Menlo led 16-14.

After a low-scoring second period, St. Mary's had edged ahead at the half by one, 21-20.

It was still close in quarter three with the score 34-32 at the end of 24 minutes after a Chris Brew and-1 three-point play closed out the scoring.

At that point St. Mary's revved up matters while Menlo began to look weary.

Dominique Lee grabbed a rebound, dribbled all the way into the frontcourt and hit a cutting Glenn Baral for a layup.

Then Brew was fouled on a layup attempt and knocked down one of two free throws. Baral followed with a jumper from the right side. Aalim Moor added to the run by hitting one of two at the foul line and Brew subsequently added another dribble-drive layup. St. Mary's now led 43-32.

Menlo's Kenny Diekroeger finally ended the St. Mary's streak with a three-pointer to make the score 43-35 but the Panthers had effectively salted away the game as it was a parade to the foul line for the remainder.

Lee led the Panthers with 20 points (plus 16 boards) and Brew was right behind with 16. Moor nabbed eight steals for the Panthers. Jerry Rice Jr. paved the way for Menlo with 14 points and Alex Smith contributed 10.

Both teams missed an inordinate amount of close-in shots as the inability to finish at the rim was prevalent. It was also quite the physical game as neither side asked nor gave any quarter.

St. Mary's now moves on to face Modesto Christian in Modesto on Thursday. The Crusaders hosted and beat Corning 81-44 Tuesday night. The Panthers beat Modesto Christian last year and the rematch will either allow St. Mary's to claim dominance or the Crusaders to enjoy revenge.

California NEWS

[More]

Latest Headlines:

Resources:

Font Size:

FEATURED PRODUCT