March 11, 2010
Panthers...finally!
It depends on your perspective but the recent St. Mary’s 52-49 win over Salesian either returns Bay Shore League boys basketball to its rightful order or is an anomaly soon to be corrected.
Pollard was clutch in the fourth
Salesian entered the matchup with but one loss on the season, that to currently 26-3 Loyola (Los Angeles), plus victories over basketball powers Castro Valley, Jesuit, Thousand Oaks, Etiwanda and Newark Memorial. The Pride owned three 2010 wins over the Panthers -- 55-47, 60-50, 59-54 -- and seven consecutive triumphs altogether.
St. Mary’s brought a 22-9 record to the battle. That, plus Justin Pollard.
The gritty senior was the fourth quarter hero who won the game at the foul line for Coach Manny Nodar’s squad. Pollard netted seven of nine free throws in the final period -- as a team the Panthers shot an abysmal 13-28 -- to hold off Bill Mellis’ team. Plus, Pollard’s determination showed by his grabbing eight rebounds despite standing just 5-foot-10.
"I was nervous at first but then tuned out the crowd and focused," Pollard said.
How did St. Mary’s come out on top this time?
According to Pollard, "the thing we did differently was rebound. We didn’t rebound as well in the previous games but that’s something we focused on in this one."
He concluded, "It feels good and now we’re playing one game at a time."
The latter phrase, one certainly appropriate for every squad in the playoffs, is a St. Mary’s mantra at the moment.
Forward Dominique Lee, headed to Utah next season, repeated it when asked about his current focus: "It’s really one game at a time right now. We can’t underestimate any team." He scored 11 points in the victory.
About the game against Salesian, Lee offered, "I was relieved because we had lost quite a few. That burden is off our shoulders."
Demetrius Lee totaled a double-double
His brother, 6-foot-3 senior Demetrius Lee, racked up a double-double of 12 points and 10 boards. He said, "I just did what I had to do. We didn’t have any special preparation -- we just worked hard in practice and were really determined. We came out on top and enjoyed it but we could possibly see them again down the line."
Demetrius remains available for signing but a couple more double-doubles may just put an end to that status.
Former Panther backcourter Aalim Moor, now at San Jose State and contributing down the stretch for the Spartans, recalls the St. Mary’s - Salesian matchups. "There’s a long history and rivalry. We beat them a bunch in a row, then they did it to us and now we’re back." About the most recent matchup, Moor said, "I’m really proud of the young fellows."
Now down at UC Santa Barbara, St. Mary’s graduates Will and Chris Brew, also chimed in on the outcome. Will, who started all 27 games to date this season and is leading the Gauchos in assists, steals and charges taken, said, "I try and stay up with how St. Mary’s is doing and that game made me real proud for what they accomplished.
Chris, shooting 47% thus far this season, offered, "I’m happy for the guys. It was hard last year so it’s a blessing to see St. Mary’s won."
Actually, it’s been a great time for both Bay Area St. Mary’s basketball programs as, coincidence or not, each enjoyed vanquishing a rival foe, what with the Moraga crew taking down chief tormentor Gonzaga.