A win is a win, no matter how it is recorded. The Live Oak boys
basketball team gritted out a 56-37 win in the CCS Division I
opener against Independence High School Wednesday.
By CHEETO BARRERA
A win is a win, no matter how it is recorded. The Live Oak boys basketball team gritted out a 56-37 win in the CCS Division I opener against Independence High School Wednesday.
The Acorns, seeded No. 6, needed most of the game to find a rhythm. Until the fourth quarter, Live Oak struggled to hold any type of lead over the 76ers.
The effort earned the Acorns the opportunity to face third seed Milpitas on Saturday. The game will be at 1 p.m. at Santa Clara High School.
“We will be stressing offensive composure and picking up the defense; you can never be too lax in those areas,” said Acorn head coach Brett Paolucci.
The Independence offense kept Live Oak’s defense on its heals for most of the game. The Acorns were out rebounded, and the 76ers had many second and third looks at the basket.
“We just looked lethargic in the first half,” Paolucci said. “We gave them too many second chances. We need to pick it up defensively.”
Live Oak was able to keep Independence from mounting any serious threat to set up an explosive second half.
Independence was held to two field goals and three free throws in the fourth quarter, while Live Oak scored 21 points, including two three pointers.
The Acorns, who made the playoffs last year and lost in the second round, are eager to move on to the next round.
“The team has a lot of confidence,” Paolucci said. “We have experienced players who know what it takes in the playoffs.”
In other TCAL action: No. 10 North Salinas rallied from behind to defeat No. 7 Aptos, 65-56 on Wednesday. The Vikings (18-10) play No. 2 Palo Alto Saturday at 6:15 p.m. at Oak Grove High School.
The Gilroy boys soccer team will be playing in the Division 1 CCS championship game tonight against Watsonville at PAL Stadium in San Jose at 7 p.m.
The fifth seeded Live Oak girls soccer team defeated Santa Terasa 1-0 Thursday evening to advance to the Central Coast Section Division 1 Championship game. Santa Teresa had knocked the Acorns out of the playoffs the last two years.
The Acorns will play for the championship tonight against No. 3 Leland. The game is scheduled to be played at Valley Christian High although the time has not been announced yet because of rain.
Jenny Emick scored the only goal in 56th minute on a rebound shot.
