The three-day Chris Vontoure Classic at De La Salle concluded yesterday. Here are the results from the first two days for the eight teams.
Day 1
Deer Valley Wolverines 64 vs Buchanan Bears (Clovis) 65
De La Salle Spartans 54 vs Acalanes Dons 29
Fairfield Falcons 65 vs St. Patrick/ St. Vincent Bruins 53
James Logan Colts 40 vs Serra Padres 48
Day 2
St. Patrick/ St. Vincent Bruins 58 vs James Logan Colts 52
Deer Valley Wolverines 49 vs Acalanes Dons 46
Fairfield Falcons 40 vs Serra Padres 38
Buchanan Bears (Clovis) 66 vs De La Salle Spartans 73
Day 3 featured the final games. A summary of each game and team analysis provided below:
Acalanes Dons 60 vs. James Logan Colts 59: In the battle for 7th place, Acalanes took the first quarter lead at 14-11. However, the second quarter had the Colts string a 14-0 run that allowed them to take a 33-20 lead at the end of the half. Acalanes battled back in the third quarter as they trimmed the deficit to five at 43-38. The fourth quarter had the Colts make five 3-pointers. Their largest lead was 60-57 with less than 30 seconds left. The Colts made a 2-point shot with three seconds left to lose the game 60-59.
Acalanes Dons Analysis: Coach Darrell Hirashima admits that he has a young team that is going through some growing pains. If the offense struggles with its shooting, then that could be bad on the defensive end. The team plays a spread offense that looks to create open perimeter looks for its shooters. The team is a bit undersized as some of the recent games have been bigger and taller teams. Hirashima would like some more consistent shooting from his Dons. The Dons are now 3-3 in this early season as they are gearing up for the DFAL season soon.
James Logan Colts Analysis: The Colts let one slip away. The three losses in the tournament drop them to 3-4. Logan had a big first half lead that wilted away in the second half. Coach Chris Fortenberry cited 14 turnovers and 15 missed free throws as mistakes that were too costly to overcome. The second half was too sloppy and poor execution on his team. He wants the team to have a more balanced inside and outside game.
Consolation Championship Game - Deer Valley Wolverines 78 vs. St. Patrick/ St. Vincent Bruins 64: Deer Valley had a significant size advantage in this game with their two 6-foot-8 forwards, Andre McPhail and Marcus Lee. However, the first quarter saw Wolverine guard Charles Smith hit three 3-point shots as the Wolverines built a 26-14 lead. The Bruins were not able to chip away at that lead as the first half ended with them behind 42-30. The Wolverines maintained a comfortable distance as they led 61-48 but the quarter's highlight was sophomore Lee making two consecutive blocks against the Bruin shots. Deer Valley kept the comfortable distance in the fourth quarter as they won 78-64.
Deer Valley Wolverines Analysis: The Wolverines are now 4-2. Coach LeChet Phillips felt that this game was the first one that the team was able to put together. He wants to see the team work on boxing out for rebounds and more consistent play. Charles Smith and Kendall Smith stepped up for Phillips in this game as they had 18 and 19 points respectively. Uncommitted senior McPhail had 17 points. Senior Quincy Smith still sat out due to transfer rules while junior guard Olajuwon Garner did not make the trip. The Wolverines look to be a very complete team with skilled players at each position. If the pieces can gel, then this team can be quite dangerous in the post season.
St. Patrick/ St. Vincent Bruins Analysis: The Bruins are an undersized team this year and the matchup against Deer Valley's interior was difficult to handle. But effort and hustle are not lacking from this team. Senior Robbie Herndon scored 36 points as he was fearless in going to the basket and in battling in the interior. Coach Derek Walker believes the tough preseason matchups will allow them to battle in a tough league season. He wants to continue to see his team play hard, compete, and do a better job in rebounding. He has several new kids and wants to figure out the right tempo for his team.
Third Place Game - Buchanan Bears (Clovis) 55 vs. Serra Padres 67: The lone non Northern California team was Buchanan from Clovis. The team had a twelve point lead on Day 2 against De La Salle but lost in overtime. The fatigue may have affected the Bears as they trailed Serra 10-2 at the end of the first quarter and was down 32-23 at the end of the first half. Serra was able to maintain a 45-32 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Bears pulled within six points in the fourth quarter but ended up losing 67-55.
Buchanan Bears (Clovis) Analysis: Coach Eric Swain lost four starters from last year's team that went to the Central Section finals. They also lost in their playoffs to Mater Dei. He has a junior guard, Alex Fertig, who is getting looks from Boston College, Colorado, Princeton, USF, and UCSB. His son, Ryan Swain, is a junior guard who is in contact with Cal Poly and UC Davis. Fertig lead the Bears with 31 points who are now 3-2.
Serra Padres Analysis: Coach Chuck Rapp felt that his team put in their best performance of the year. The Padres beat a talented and good team in Buchanan. Serra lost four players from last year and is trying to build an identity. The team is taking it one day at a time. Chico State commit Connor McGrath had 14 points but more importantly was able to break the Bears' press.
Championship Game - De La Salle Spartans 53 vs. Fairfield Falcons 39: By the time this game started, the Spartans football team was wrapping up another trip to the state title game. The basketball team capped the day off by winning the championship game. John McArthur, a senior center from last year's team, was in attendance. He had commented how the Spartan team this year needed to play a more guard oriented scheme as they were lacking in size. McArthur himself is now a freshman at Santa Clara University and is logging 10-15 minutes per game so far. The game was a defensive struggle in the first quarter as the Falcons took a 9-6 lead. However, the second quarter had the Spartans turn up the intensity as they took a 31-16 lead keyed by three 3-point shots by junior guard Amadi Udenyi. The Spartans extended the lead to 42-22 in the third quarter. They cruised in the fourth quarter to win 53-39.
De La Salle Spartans Analysis: Coach Frank Allocco is pleased to be 4-0. The field was tough but the team played well. Udenyi had 12 points but was able to break the pressure defense. He is getting looks from Princeton, TCU, USF, and Yale. Senior Travis Pacos had 19 points to lead the Spartans. Sophomore Elliot Pitts had 9 points and is getting contact from USF. The new scheme based on the undersized roster seems to be working well in the early season so far.
Fairfield Falcons Analysis: Coach Eddie Wilson is satisfied for the most part with his team's defense. However, the offense is struggling to give consistent production. He is still tinkering with the lineup and what is the best team chemistry. The team is now 5-3 but has lost to De La Salle, Mitty, and Oakland. Tra'Mayne Bondurant is an athletic point guard who will have to direct the Falcons. He is headed to Arizona to play football as a defensive back. If Fairfield can find some offense, then this team could be dangerous.
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