 | | | Laura Hickey (#32) had a team-high 18 points for Campolindo. Photos Andy Scheck
| | | | | | The Diablo Foothill Athletic League was one of the toughest in Northern California a year ago and the Lamorinda rivalries are just as intense this year. This was evident when Campolindo traveled to Acalanes on January 6.
The Acalanes Dons and Campolindo Cougars battled for the first sixteen minutes with several lead changes. But Campo pulled away in the second half to win, 71-50.
The first period ended in a tie, 13-all. The second quarter ended just as close. With five seconds left in the first half, a three pointer from sophomore Ashley Ewing gave Campo a 31-30 lead.
Campolindo head coach Elgin Leslie said at halftime that he wanted his team to pick up the intensity. "I asked them to play more aggressively on the defensive end of the floor, that in turn would help the offense get going. "
The Cougars opened the second half on an 11-2 run and never looked back. Junior Laura Hickey was all over the court contributing assists, rebounds, blocks and scored six of her team high 18 points in the quarter.
"Laura has stepped up for us this year by scoring, but also with her defensive presence and her rebounding. She had one of her better games of the season against Acalanes," said Leslie.
The Lady Cougars led by 49-37 entering the fourth quarter.
Campolindo scored the first eight points of the fourth period to extend the lead to 20.
Dons' senior Sophie Taylor led all scorers with 28 points and junior Jamie Jacobs added 11 for Acalanes.
"For a player of her (Sophie's) caliber, her attitude and work ethic are great, and she remains coachable. Sophie is not a big vocal leader, but she definitely leads by example," said Acalanes head coach Chris Russell.
Campo junior Courtney Seyranian recorded 18 while Ewing had 13. Hickey added 13 rebounds and four steals to her 18 points.
Acalanes is now 2-2 (11-6 overall) in the DFAL with a bye coming up this coming Friday. They bested Alhambra last Friday, 60-34 behind Taylor's 20 points.
Campolindo is at 3-0 (7-7). The Lady Cougars led Las Lomas by 23-5 after one period last Friday on their way to a 69-45 win. Ewing again scored 13.
Campolindo is tied with Miramonte for first place in the DFAL standings. Miramonte is enjoying an outstanding season. They are 16-0 overall and 3-0 DFAL. Miramonte recorded a huge come-from-behind win last Friday against two-time defending DFAL champion Dougherty Valley, 72-69.
The Lady Matadors were down by as many as 12 in the first half but fought back within seven at the half and finally caught up mid-way through the fourth period. Sophomore Megan Reid had 17 points, nine steals, and eight rebounds. In another game, last week they scored 61 first half points on their way to whipping Alhambra 79-26.
Miramonte has wins over several top teams including Casa Grande (Petaluma) who is 17-1 and St. Francis of Mountain View. They are one of only four undefeated teams in the state's Top 100 ranked teams.
The rivalries continue next week as Miramonte will face both Acalanes and Campolindo on Monday, January 23 and Wednesday, January 25, respectively.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA