In this early season, the Berkeley High Yellowjackets have shown its ability to win with whatever method necessary. Facing an equally athletic McClymonds High Warriors team in Oakland, the Jackets won with a total team effort that put them at 3-0 for the season while dropping the Warriors to 2-2.
In the first quarter, Berkeley took a quick 10-4 lead on some solid perimeter shooting by juniors Langston Morris-Walker and Trey Thompson. McClymonds was then paced by junior guard Dulani Robinson to end the quarter on a 6-0 run to take an 18-14 lead and their last lead of the game. The second quarter did not start well for the Warriors as Berkeley took over 25-18 on an 11-0 run as the Berkeley offense took off while limiting the Mack offense. The teams then exchanged baskets as Berkeley ended the half with a 35-30 lead.
The third quarter was highlighted by a spectator fight that delayed the game for five minutes with Berkeley up 40-32. During this unexpected break, Berkeley Coach Damion McNeil huddled his team up to stay focused after the delay. His players took the talk to heart and went on a run to lengthen the lead to 52-38 at the end of the quarter. The fourth quarter had the Yellowjackets holding on to their lead to a 66-56 final.
Notes
How this game was won: Yellowjackets had good movement and a solid team rebounding and defensive effort. The offense was able to break down the Warriors press while the Yellowjackets team defense was able to disrupt any offensive flow for the Warriors. Despite being undersized, Berkeley was able to outrebound a slightly bigger Mack team.
Turning Point: After the third quarter fan fight, Berkeley High took the stoppage and ran with it. They put some distance between themselves and McClymonds to end that quarter.
Missing in Action: Both teams played without key interior players due to injury. Senior forward Akil Johnson is out till February for Berkeley due to a summer league knee injury. Mack junior forward Jamaree Strickland is planning his return from an injured knee in January. Berkeley is also expecting a key transfer soon in forward Henry Kerr.
Berkeley offensive highlights: Morris-Walker had 28 points to lead all scorers as he was comfortable with the perimeter game. But he really showed some agility by throwing up several one hand floaters in the lane that would fall in. Santa Monica transfer Thompson was good on two 3-pointers and was effective in transition to total 11 points. Point guard Joshua Amey directed the team's offense and broke down the Mack press effectively in tallying 7 points.
McClymonds offensive highlights: Juniors Lawrence Otis and Robinson had 16 and 12 points respectively. Otis has the strength to have a good post game while still having adequate ball handling skills to have a face up game. Robinson may be shorter as a point guard but was definitely fearless in taking the ball to the basket. With the pending return of 6-foot-9 Strickland, the Warriors will have more open looks when their main interior player returns in January. Adding Strickland would also improve the flow of the offense as the team was sometimes stuck in one on one situation and motionless offense.
What is next for Berkeley: Coach McNeil felt that his players have been gelling as a team. He expects the football players to be better transitioned into the basketball team as the football season is over. After being on probation last year due to a previous coaching staff, the Yellowjackets are motivated to play for something this year. A 3-0 start portends good things to come still as the team heads on to a tournament at Edison High in Stockton.
What is next for McClymonds: At 2-2, McClymonds showed some potential. Without Strickland and some football players who have not joined the basketball team, they went 2-1 in Southern California and played hard against a strong Berkeley team. This current team may not be as potent as the 2008 state title team but the team has made some significant strides from last year's sub-500 team. Mack may not be the top team in the Oakland Athletic League but should still be a postseason threat. Just in December, Mack has to still play Valley Christian, El Cerrito, Bishop O'Dowd, Newark Memorial and Castro Valley. The December results may be misleading as they will be without Strickland, but a .500 December or better would be encouraging for the Warriors going into league play.
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