March 6, 2011
In the Oakland Athletic League championship game at Laney College, McClymonds was the top seed and set to face Oakland High for a third season matchup for the title. The game was a fierce defensive battle. But in the end, Oakland prevailed with the 59-56 win in double overtime to win the OAL title.
In the first quarter, the Warriors ran out to an 11-2 lead as Oakland would not score again until a TJ Taylor three-point field goal with 2:35 left to cut the lead to 11-5. Wildcat Jabari Brown scored 8 points in the quarter that included a three-point field goal. Despite the early scoring disparity, the Warriors would lead 19-11 at the end of the quarter.
The Warriors would take a game high lead of 10 points at 21-11 in the second quarter. The Wildcat defense would pick up as they would limit the Warriors to two more points and several missed perimeter shots for the rest of the quarter. Oakland High would chip away on a 10-2 rally to cut the deficit to 23-21 at the half.
Oakland would score the first 3 points in the third quarter to take a 24-23 lead at the 7:00 mark. The rest of the quarter would go back and forth. Oakland would be up 36-34 at the end of the quarter.
McClymonds would get to the penalty shooting bonus at the 7:13 mark in the fourth quarter but the Warriors struggled at the line during the entire game. The game was tied at 45-45 before Dalvin Guy had an offensive rebound and put back dunk that would give the Warriors a 47-45 lead with 1:20 left. Brown would go back door with Taylor to allow Oakland to tie the game at 47-47 and send it to overtime.
The first overtime was sloppy as both teams committed turnovers and made offensive fouls. Barry Bell hit a difficult wing jumper to give the Warriors the 51-49 lead. But Oakland's Tyrell Murray hit two clutch free throws to tie the game at 51-51 and a second overtime would be needed.
The Wildcats would have a 7-0 run that was keyed by a Brown three-point field goal and an acrobatic Taylor driving basket. Despite being down 58-51, McClymonds was able to cut the deficit to 58-56 but thats as close as it would get.
How this game was won: Oakland made fewer mistakes and were better at the fundamentals. McClymonds was 7 for 16 on the free throw line while Oakland was 14 for 19. In the second overtime, McClymonds committed turnovers in the first few possessions to not give them a chance to score.
Oakland analysis: Coach Orlando Watkins said that the team executed the game plan. His team battled defensively and settled down after the first quarter by committing fewer turnovers. Brown had 30 points while Taylor added 16.
McClymonds analysis: Coach Brandon Brooks said his team did not execute after being up 11-2 and allowed the Wildcats to rally. Junior Jamaree Strickland is still not at full strength as Brooks is still regulating his center's playing time. Sophomore Dalvin Guy showed some interior strength by scoring 12 points and a few dunks in the game.
What is next for Oakland: Brown said that the team has set high expectations for the season and winning OAL was part of them. He feels that the team is peaking as Oakland will wait for its seeding in the Northern California playoffs. Coach Watkins is glad to be in the playoffs and hopes the team can host at least a game for them.
What is next for McClymonds: Coach Brooks is also glad to be continuing the playoff season. He wants to see his team to play with more pressure and tempo. At 16-14, McClymonds has a mediocre record going into the Northern California playoffs but will still be a tough out for their first round opponent.
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