The North Coast basketball playoffs witnessed a surprising turn on Saturday night as the No. 7 seed San Lorenzo defeated No. 2 Cardinal Newman 59-48 in the Division 2 quarterfinals. The Cardinals, who concluded their season with a strong record of 27-3, fell victim to a dominant second-half performance from the Grizzlies, led by star guard Ronnie Selleaze, who scored a game-high 30 points.
After trailing by only two points at halftime, Cardinal Newman struggled to maintain momentum. Despite rallying to narrow the gap to 41-38 heading into the fourth quarter, a series of late-game turnovers allowed San Lorenzo to extend their lead back into double digits. Cade Taylor contributed significantly for Newman, finishing with 14 points, including four three-pointers.
In another Division 2 clash, the top-seeded University of San Francisco secured a convincing 74-48 victory over No. 8 Casa Grande, ending the Gauchos’ season with a record of 22-9. University dominated the first half, leading 46-20 at halftime, and never looked back as they advanced to the next round with a 25-5 season record.
Girls’ Playoff Highlights
The girls’ Division 2 playoffs also saw significant action, with No. 3 Justin-Siena advancing to the semifinals after a commanding 60-41 victory against No. 11 James Logan. The Braves, boasting a season record of 25-5, were led by Lauren Keller, who scored 24 points. Justin-Siena has now reached at least 25 wins for three consecutive seasons. The team is set to face No. 2 seed Moreau Catholic in the semifinals on March 27, 2024.
In Division 4, top-seeded Rancho Cotate triumphed over No. 9 Vintage with a score of 47-34. After trailing at halftime, the Cougars made a decisive comeback, outscoring Vintage 19-4 in the third quarter. Freshman Isabelle Ellisen led all scorers with 21 points, while her teammate Ella O’Brien contributed 12 points, including four three-pointers in the second half. Rancho Cotate will next host No. 4 seed Las Lomas in the semifinals on March 27.
Meanwhile, No. 2 Branson defeated No. 7 Santa Rosa 51-41, concluding the Panthers’ season. Branson maintained control throughout the game, leading 26-19 at halftime. Eva Franklin and Peyton Patrick each contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Panthers.
As the North Coast playoffs continue, the following matchups are scheduled for March 27, 2024:
– **Boys Division 4**: No. 2 Rancho Cotate vs. No. 6 Alhambra at 17:30
– **Boys Division 6**: No. 1 St. Vincent vs. No. 4 Averroes at 19:00
– **Girls Division 2**: No. 3 Justin-Siena at No. 2 Moreau Catholic at 19:00
– **Girls Division 4**: No. 1 Rancho Cotate vs. No. 4 Las Lomas at 19:00
– **Girls Division 6**: No. 3 Grace Christian Academy at No. 2 Ferndale at 19:00
– **Girls Division 6**: No. 5 St. Vincent at No. 1 Cornerstone Christian at 19:00
The playoffs promise to deliver further excitement as teams vie for top honors in their respective divisions.
