Since the NCAA Men’s Division I tournament went to the 64 team format
in 1985, the 8 vs 9 game has been the most evenly opening round matchup
with the eight-seed winning 53.4 percent of the games. On Wednesday
evening, No. 8 Piedmont Hills did not follow that trend and lost to No. 9
Castro Valley 56-54. The Trojans move on to play top seed Bellarmine on
Saturday in the second round of the Division I bracket.
Both teams started the game hot from the perimeter as Castro Valley and Piedmont Hills made five and three 3-point goals respectively in the first quarter. But the Trojans used their size and athleticism to take a 23-13 advantage at the end of the quarter. The teams went cold in the second quarter as neither made a perimeter shot. The Pirates used their scrappiness to cut the deficit to 33-25 at the half.
Piedmont Hills trailed by double digits for the first part of the third quarter before heating up from the perimeter to trail 44-42. In the final quarter, the Pirates came as close as one point. Castro Valley’s shaky free throw shooting gave the Trojans the eventual 56-54 score as Piedmont Hills’ last possession half court shot did hit the board and rim.
Castro Valley’s starting five has four players 6-foot-3 and taller who are of the athletic guard or wing types. The team’s rotation does not have true post size but was much bigger than the Piedmont Hills program that was undersized with 6-foot-1 being their tallest player in the rotation. The Trojans won in rebounding, block shots, and in free throw attempts but the Pirates were more accurate in their perimeter shooting and more aggressive in the dribble drives to the basket.
Piedmont Hills end the season at 21-7 but did win the CCS Division I title. Castro Valley goes to 19-11 and faces the 19-8 Bells in San Jose. The Trojans will need to use their versatility and athleticism to keep it close with Bellarmine.
Player of Note:
Daniel Bessolo 6-foot-5 SF Castro Valley (2017): The junior was tallest player in either starting rotation as he led the Trojans in rebounding and block shots during the season. Bessolo’s skills are varied as he had three key block shots to prevent easy layups, had several rebounds including a few offensive ones, and made a nice mid-air put back. He scored 14 points but contributed in all facets of the game.
Both teams started the game hot from the perimeter as Castro Valley and Piedmont Hills made five and three 3-point goals respectively in the first quarter. But the Trojans used their size and athleticism to take a 23-13 advantage at the end of the quarter. The teams went cold in the second quarter as neither made a perimeter shot. The Pirates used their scrappiness to cut the deficit to 33-25 at the half.
Piedmont Hills trailed by double digits for the first part of the third quarter before heating up from the perimeter to trail 44-42. In the final quarter, the Pirates came as close as one point. Castro Valley’s shaky free throw shooting gave the Trojans the eventual 56-54 score as Piedmont Hills’ last possession half court shot did hit the board and rim.
Castro Valley’s starting five has four players 6-foot-3 and taller who are of the athletic guard or wing types. The team’s rotation does not have true post size but was much bigger than the Piedmont Hills program that was undersized with 6-foot-1 being their tallest player in the rotation. The Trojans won in rebounding, block shots, and in free throw attempts but the Pirates were more accurate in their perimeter shooting and more aggressive in the dribble drives to the basket.
Piedmont Hills end the season at 21-7 but did win the CCS Division I title. Castro Valley goes to 19-11 and faces the 19-8 Bells in San Jose. The Trojans will need to use their versatility and athleticism to keep it close with Bellarmine.
Player of Note:
Daniel Bessolo 6-foot-5 SF Castro Valley (2017): The junior was tallest player in either starting rotation as he led the Trojans in rebounding and block shots during the season. Bessolo’s skills are varied as he had three key block shots to prevent easy layups, had several rebounds including a few offensive ones, and made a nice mid-air put back. He scored 14 points but contributed in all facets of the game.
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