Lady Dragons still No. 1!

In a game featuring the top two ranked teams throughout the season in Northern California, Bishop O'Dowd jumped out to a 32-11 lead after the first quarter en route to an 80-59 win against St. Mary's Stockton. Duke signee Oderah Chidom had a team high 22 points.

The Dragons led 32-11 after the first quarter and 50-28 at halftime. Bishop O'Dowd had little trouble breaking the Rams' press early in racking up more assists and turnovers in the first half. It was able to get the ball out of the initial trap, up the floor quickly and spaced the floor to set up multiple options for open looks. As the game wore on, St. Mary's was able to create more turnovers in sagging the defense back and the Dragons forcing action into the heart of the defense. Bishop O'Dowd was able to pound the paint for the vast majority of their baskets (scored 68 of its 80 points on two point shots).

St. Mary's got a terrific game from sophomore guard Bri Moore, who had a team-high 22 points with eight made free throws and consistently getting to the basket. The Rams were able to generate more offense in the second half as freshman guard Kat Tudor knocked down two of her three 3-pointers after the break and Onome Jemerigbe and Charise Holloway each scored six points in the second half. As a team, St. Mary's went 6-for-21 from three point range. However, a 2-for-12 start from the field and five turnovers in the first quarter doomed any chance for the road win.

Dragons frontline towers in win

The clear advantage Bishop O'Dowd took into this matchup and every game is the front line size of Chidom, Kendall Waters and Breanna Brown. Chidom, a 5-star recruit and No. 1 rated prospect in the class of 2013, did most of her scoring around the basket including a pair of and one finishes and three put backs off offensive rebounds. She missed a couple of shots inside, but has good touch and can finish multiple ways down low. She also added a block in the first half, corralled the ball and finished with a mid-range jumper on the other end. Chidom is also an aggressive rebounder and goes out of her area for boards.

Waters, headed to Cal, had eight points with two of her four buckets coming on offensive rebounds. She displayed a nice short turnaround shot and being able to pass from the block or high post for easy looks, but can expand her offense. Brown, a Virginia Tech signee, had 14 points and showed herself to be a good defender at the rim. While she didn't post big block numbers, she was a presence inside in allowing very few free runs to the rim for St. Mary's. Offensively, she struggled to finish inside.

Top senior point guards dual

The top two point guards in the 2013 class matched up on Saturday with Jemerigbe, No. 8 and headed to Santa Barbara, and Ariell Bostick from Bishop O'Dowd. She is ranked No. 12 and will attend San Diego State. Jemerigbe can beat her defender off the dribble with her first option to kick it out to open shooters. She had seven points with a couple of assists.

Bostick had nine points and picked up two second half charges. She has good vision and can make the tough pass through traffic. She has crafty handles, but can get carried away and dribble into trouble at times. She has been more under control this year and it continued on Saturday.

High level sophomore talent

Moore led a very talented group of sophomores in this contest. The 5-foot-6 guard can get to the basket, draws contact and can finish in multiple ways. She had a drive right where she faked a kick out pass, but kept it and finish in a fluid motion. She also had a full court length drive in drawing a foul and a tough finish from the right wing. She added a crossover basket and carried the Rams offensively in the first half.

Aisia Robertson came off the bench for 15 points. Her top drive to the basket started on the left wing and saw her use a hard dribble to wind around the paint and finish inside. The Dragons also ran her on a curl cut off in-bound sets where she catches the ball in the air at about eight feet and puts up a shot in one motion. She drew a foul on this play in the second half.

Asha Thomas of Bishop O'Dowd had eight points, but didn't force action. She flashed her good crossover taking the left baseline and coming back with a right hand for one of her four baskets in the paint. Thomas is a good on-ball defender in allowing the Dragons to stay home more on the Rams' shooters.