A second round NCS Division I game at Newark featured two top 20 NorCal teams in the Berkeley High Yellowjackets and the Newark Memorial Cougars. The home team Cougars had a 10 point fourth quarter lead that they surrendered to Berkeley but were able to hold off the Berkeley rally to win 65-62 and setup a semifinal battle with Castro Valley.
In the first quarter, the playoff jitters may have gotten to both teams as several turnovers were committed. In addition, Yellowjacket Langston Morris-Walker picked up his second foul with 6:31 left to force him to a long stay on the bench. Teammate Jalil Eppenger picked up the slack as he scored 10 points in the quarter as the Yellowjackets only trailed 15-12.
The Cougars would extend the lead to 26-21 in the second quarter. Casey Norris had 8 points in the quarter as he made a few nifty driving layups. Once again, Eppenger helped keep the Berkeley deficit at 31-28 as he scored another 10 points in the quarter.
The Cougars built a 37-30 lead into the third quarter but the Yellowjackets battled back as Eppenger helped cut the lead to 39-37 late in the quarter. In addition, Berkeley was able to get Newark into the penalty free throw shooting early. However, Newark ended the period on a 7-0 run to lead 46-37 with the home crowd energized.
The fourth quarter started slow but Newark had a 53-43 lead with the momentum and home crowd. But Eppenger and guard BT Shabazz helped key a rally that gave Berkeley a 56-54 lead with 3:00 minutes left. Newark would go into their post player Kendall Andrews who would score the next 7 points to give Newark a 61-58 lead in route to the final of 65-62.
How this game was won: Newark had the size advantage and was able to get higher percentage shots. Andrews had 24 points that was mostly layups. This also allowed Norris and freshman Joey Frenchwood to take the ball to the paint for layups or passes to open perimeter shooters.
Turning point: Andrews scoring his team's next 7 points after Berkeley took the fourth quarter lead. The momentum swung back to Newark and put the pressure back on Berkeley. The Yellowjackets had chances to tie the game at the end but could not.
Berkeley analysis: Coach Damion McNeil said that Morris-Walker's two fouls early did not disrupt the flow of the team as Eppenger with 34 points and Shabazz with 18 points picked up the scoring effort. Berkeley finishes 21-5 as they return to playoffs after the suspension from last year. McNeil was extremely proud how his senior group handled the suspension and injuries while he is also optimistic about next year with the return of Morris-Walker and some promising players from the junior varsity team.
Newark analysis: Newark has a good inside and outside balance with Andrews in the interior while guards Frenchwood and Norris handle the outside. Norris attributes the team's defense and experience for the win. Frenchwood is only a freshman and looks to be a promising point guard prospect.
What is next for Newark: Newark is 22-6 and will have a battle with top seed Castro Valley next. Coach Craig Ashmore would like his team to prepare defensively to stop guards from driving to the basket and to close out on the open perimeter shooters. He expects a tough opponent in Castro Valley and wants his team to battle to keep the game close to give them a chance at the end to win.
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