In a Bay Bridge battle between the Oakland High Wildcats and the University High Red Devils in San Francisco, the East Bay visitors won 65-54 as they wore down the Devils in the second half. The Wildcats feature three D1 commits in Jabari Brown (Oregon), Dominique Taplin (UC Riverside), and TJ Taylor (UC Santa Barbara) while the Devils have one D1 commit in Noah Springwater (Columbia).
University started the scoring with a Springwater 3-point field goal as the Devils were able to extend to a game high lead of eight points at 10-2 midway into the first quarter. Oakland was able to cut the lead to 10-5 at the end of the quarter. The Wildcats had Brown matched up defensively against the Devils top scoring threat, Springwater.
University matched their game high eight point lead at 27-19 in the second quarter. The quarter saw several Wildcat fast break layups that were countered by open Red Devil 3-point shots. The second quarter ended with a Brown right wing field goal from the arc to close the Devil lead 30-28.
The Wildcats came out storming in the third quarter as they took their first lead at 32-30 and was able to extend to a game high lead at 50-36. The quarter ended with Oakland up 50-38 as the Wildcats turned up the defensive intensity and pace to cause more transition baskets. University had no interior game in the quarter and was not hitting the perimeter shots as they were only able to score eight points in the quarter.
The Wildcats were able to keep a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter as University could only get as close as 60-53. Oakland won the game 65-54 in the end.
Notes
How this game was won: The Wildcats turned up the defensive intensity in the second quarter. As a result, they were able to cause turnovers and challenge the perimeter Devil shooting. Oakland Coach Orlando Watkins noted that the team's defensive intensity and rebounding has improved since their trip down to Torrey Pines for the ESPN Holiday Classic. This carried over to this game and the defense translated into better transition offense.
University analysis: The Devils jumped out to a quick first quarter lead but could not sustain it. At 10-3 with the loss, the Devils had a real challenging pre-league schedule. This was planned as Coach Randy Bessolo wanted to test his roster. The team was returning from the Modesto Christian Holiday Hoop Classic where they defeated two traditionally strong southern Californian programs, Fremont (Los Angeles) and Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks). In this game, the Devils were led by seniors Springwater and Zio Enriquez with 12 points each. The Devils had many available, open perimeter shots but just could not hit enough of them to keep the game closer in the second half.
Oakland analysis: Oakland's last game in Northern California was a bad loss against Mitty as the Wildcats looked inconsistent. The Wildcats made the trip to Torrey Pines for the ESPN Holiday Classic. They lost the first game to Centennial (Corona), which boasts Michael Caffey (Long Beach commit) and Dominique Dunning (New Mexico commit). But the Wildcats were able to win the next three games in the tournament against Franklin (Seattle) with junior standout guard Anrio Adams, Crenshaw (Los Angeles) with super sophomore Isaac Hamilton, and Torrey Pines (San Diego) with senior Nick Kerr (son of Steve Kerr and University San Diego commit). According to Coach Watkins, defensive intensity and rebounding has picked up and that has translated into the offense.
What is next for University: Coach Bessolo seemed to be pleased with the results of the team's preseason performance. The Devils are the current No. 2 D5 team in the NCP rankings. With league play starting next week, the Devils should be well conditioned to make a run in their league and then into the state playoffs. Their main roadblock to state may be a St. Joseph's team that they lost to earlier.
What is next for Oakland: At 8-5, the Wildcats may be hitting their stride according to Jabari Brown who led all scorers with 26 points. The team is developing their chemistry and Brown is looking to make a run at OAL and then at state. Coach Watkins is hopeful that transfer Marcelus Clay will be able to play soon to provide some more interior size. As the current No. 5 D1 team in the NCP rankings, the Wildcats can matchup with any of the teams ahead of them.
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