An Unlikely Source Sparks Sacred Heart Prep to Hoops Win

By Rick Eymer/Palo Alto Online Sports
Sacred Heart Prep 70, Pinewood 43
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The Sacred Heart Prep boys basketball team needed something following a fast-paced first quarter that saw host Pinewood work magic around the net, seemingly willing the ball into the basket on an assortment of drives, short jumpers and free throws.

"After that first quarter I asked my team if they wanted to give up 100 points," Sacred Heart Prep coach Tony Martinelli said. "We weren't offering much resistance."

As it turned out, the Gators didn't even want to give up 50 and that's spotting the Panthers 25 first-quarter points.

Dominic Cacchione sparked the Sacred Heart Prep turnaround, scoring 15 points and playing tenacious defense in Tuesday night's 70-43 victory over Pinewood (11-7, 5-4) in a WBAL Foothill Division contest.

"He's been working hard all year and his effort shows in practice," Martinelli said. "He made the difference."

Cacchione, along with guys like Kyle Schott and Caden Moses, pumped the Gators (10-9, 6-3) full of vigor that saw them outscore Pinewood, 42-12, over the second and third quarters. The unheralded trio accounted for 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Schott may have provided the game's highlight when he absolutely stuffed a Panthers' shot attempt directly in front of the Gators' rooting section, which went crazy for Kyle.

This Sacred Heart Prep team is far different than the one which got knocked around earlier in the season.

"We only have two seniors out there," Martinelli said. "I knew we would go through some growing pains. We just needed to learn from all the mistakes."

The Gators are over .500 for the first time this year and the 70-point outburst is the most they've scored since a season-high 74 in a win over Crystal Springs Uplands on Jan. 12. It's just the third time they've scored as many as 70 all year.

Conversely, Pinewood was held to a season low in points. The Panthers has generated seven games of 70-plus points, including four 80-plus games.

The Panthers were so good in the first quarter, penetrating the paint and making shots like they were a company of acrobats, that the sudden drop-off was puzzling. They were able to get good looks but it was like someone (maybe Cacchione?) put a hex on the basket.

Matt Peery finished with 14 points and Jaeden Bailey added eight.

Eric DeBrine led Sacred Heart Prep with 21 points and Tevin Panchal added another 20.

The Gators host Priory (15-5, 6-3) at 7 p.m. in a game that will determine sole possession of second place behind undefeated Menlo School in the WBAL Foothill Division.

Priory topped Harker, 63-48, on Friday, getting 17 points from Ayo Aderoboye and another 13 from Emmanuel Ajanaku-Makun. Matt Boyle also reached double figures, with 11 points.

Priory outscored Harker, 30-8, in the third quarter to grab control of the contest.

Menlo took care of business, beating visiting Eastside College Prep, 62-42, to remain three games ahead of its competition.

The Knights (12-5, 9-0) staked an early lead with a 35-18 halftime advantage. Junior Riley Woodson poured in 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Thomas Brown, also a junior, scored 17 and had four steals. Senior Evan King added 13 more points.

Isiah East scored 13 points to lead the Panthers (13-6, 4-5), which plays at Pinewood Friday night.

Menlo next plays The King's Academy at home Thursday.
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Sacred Heart Schools Atherton

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton

150 Valparaiso Ave
Atherton, CA 94027
650 322 1866
Founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, SHS is a Catholic, independent, co-ed day school for students in preschool through grade 12