SHP Keeping WBAL Boys Hoops Race Interesting

Yianni Gardner drained four 3-pointers and the Sacred Heart Prep boys basketball team made 10 of them overall, which led to a 74-59 victory over visiting The Kings Academy in a West Bay Athletic League matchup Friday night.

The second-place Gators (9-9, 7-1) improved their standing in the WBAL by beating a team that was coming off a big win of its own over Pinewood.

The Kings Academy (11-7, 3-5) was no match for the Gators, who have won four straight and five of six overall. They opened the season 2-6 and have been clawing their way out of the garbage heap ever since.

“Today was one of those special days,” said Sacred Heart head coach Tony Martinelli. “There was a multiple amount of guys hitting them. A lot of teams look at us see (Eric) DeBrine and say ‘stop him’. When so many other guys are doing things it’s good.”

The Gators got off to a hot start in the first quarter when sophomore Jai Deshpande came off the bench and drilled a 3-pointer, putting SH Prep ahead 17-7. Sacred Heart took a commanding 22-9 lead to finish the first quarter.

Sacred Heart opened the game with a tenacious press defense that forced six turnovers and allowed just two field goals.

“It’s an energy thing for us,” said Martinelli. “There was a different look about the press today. They were taking away the easy passes that break down a press. Once they focused on that they kind of turned it over a little bit, it makes the game easier.”

With 10 seconds left in the second quarter, Gardner sank a 3-pointer at the top of the key and the Gators went into halftime with a 46-29 advantage.

Sacred Heart sank eight 3-pointers in the first half alone.

“We work on it in practice every day, we do a lot of drills for three-pointers,” said senior Eric DeBrine, who had a team-high 16 points. “It all came together today.”

Gardner came through again in the third quarter when he hit a 3-pointer, putting the Gators up 59-45. Gardner had season-highs of 14 points and four 3-pointers.

Junior Reece Lindquist put his own stamp on the game in the fourth quarter, ripping a ferocious offensive rebound and and putting its back up to seal the game at 70-54.

The Gators travel to Pinewood on Wednesday. The Panthers were defeated by The Kings Academy on Tuesday, 71-55, and then fell to WBAL leader Menlo on Friday. Pinewood is 4-4 (10-7 overall) this season.

“I think (Pinewood) could beat anyone, they’re tough,” said Martinelli. “I think for us is just really focus on what we do, hoping that the best of our basketball is still ahead of us. This second half of league we're in the position that we want.”

Thomas Brown scored 22 points and Menlo won its 10th consecutive game, beating host Pinewood 61-24 in another WBAL game Friday night.

Sophomore Cole Kastner finished with 10 points for the Knights (17-1, 8-0), who play at Eastside Prep at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

Brown scored his points, which included a pair of 3-pointers, on 75 percent shooting from the field. He also had seven rebounds and three steals. Kastner shot 71.4 percent.

Senior Joe Foley added 10 points and three assists playing just over a half. Riley Woodson pulled down 10 rebounds and had five steals and fellow senior Ty Corley grabbed seven rebounds.

Gunn downed host Monta Vista, 55-44, and is in sole possession of first place in the SCVAL El Camino Division, a game ahead of Lynbrook.

The Titans (9-9, 6-1) host the Vikings at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.