| | Published January 18th, 2012
| Campo Leads Lamorinda in Standings
| | By Conrad Bassett |  | | Tyler Garrison(33) is defended by Acalanes' Kevin Huber (2) Photos Andy Scheck
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The 2011-2012 Lamorinda boys' basketball teams came into the season with uncertain expectations. Last year, Las Lomas won the Diablo Foothill Athletic League title and both Miramonte and Campolindo lost players to football playoffs. Still, this did not stop any of the teams from having successful pre-season records.
The first of the rivalry games between the three schools got off to a rousing start before a packed gym at Acalanes High on January 6. The Campolindo boys' beat the host Dons 63-56.
The boys opened the varsity doubleheader with Campo scoring first on a layup from Griffin Piatt. Piatt has made the quick adjustment from Campolindo's North Coast Section football championship team to the court in relatively short order.
The first quarter opened back-and-forth. Senior Kevin Huber tied it right back up for the Dons with a layup of his own before Cougar junior John Schmitz scored and was fouled for a traditional three point play. Huber hit a three midway through the period to tie the game at nine. Cougar junior Jack Evans followed with a jumper and an 11-9 Campo lead that they would never relinquish.
The Cougars ended the first period on a 9-0 run for a 22-11 lead.
Dons senior James Griffin nailed a three to start the second period and end their scoring drought, but Campo freshman Matt O'Reilly hit a layup followed by a Matt McCue basket and the Cougars had what would turn out to be their largest lead of the game at 26-14.
The Dons did not give up and cut the lead to a little as five on three occasions in the fourth period. Each time they got close, Cougar junior Tyler Garrison ended up at free throw line to extend the lead. Garrison hit seven of ten from the charity stripe including five of six in the last two minutes to keep the Dons at bay.
"We had ball handlers and free-throw shooters in the game," said Campolindo coach Matt Watson.
The Dons got outstanding play from sophomore center Buster Souza who contributed eight points, four blocks, and 15 rebounds. Huber and Griffin each had 14 points to pace Acalanes while sophomore Noah Orlik added ten.
Schmitz and Piatt had 12 each to lead a balanced Campolindo attack, and Evans added 11. Piatt also had eight rebounds, five assists and four steals.
In the games that followed, Acalanes won its first DFAL game whipping Alhambra 82-52 to go to 1-3 (12-6 overall.) Souza led a balanced Dons' attack with 14 points. Griffin and Huber had 12 and 10, respectively.
Campo won its next two and is at 3-0 and in first along with Dublin High. They won last Friday over Las Lomas by 75-57. Schmitz scored 20 and Evans chipped in 12.
Miramonte is at 2-1 in the DFAL after their first three games, losing only to Dublin. They had a bye last Friday, and pounded Alhambra, 75-55 earlier in the week. On Saturday, they outscored Drake (San Anselmo) by a score of 66-56 to bring their record to 12-4. Junior Kirin Shastri had 20 points and sophomore Joey Goodreault added 17.
The boys' Lamorinda rivalry continues on January 23 when Acalanes hosts Miramonte and then on January 25 when Campolindo hosts Miramonte.
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 | | Acalanes' Buster Sonza (1) had 15 rebounds in the loss.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA