In a surprising turn of events during the North Coast playoff quarterfinals, the No. 7 seed San Lorenzo boys’ basketball team defeated the No. 2 seed Cardinal Newman 59-48 on February 24, 2024. The Cardinals, who ended their season with a strong record of 27-3, were unable to maintain their lead after a dominating second half by the Grizzlies.
San Lorenzo’s star guard, Ronnie Selleaze, delivered an impressive performance, scoring a game-high 30 points. This pivotal effort allowed the Grizzlies to overcome a two-point halftime deficit and establish a commanding 10-point lead in the third quarter. Although Cardinal Newman managed to narrow the gap to 41-38 as they entered the final period, a series of late-game turnovers sealed their fate. Cade Taylor contributed 14 points to Newman’s efforts, hitting four three-pointers.
In another quarterfinal match, the No. 1 seed University-San Francisco triumphed over No. 8 Casa Grande with a score of 74-48, ending Casa Grande’s season with a record of 22-9. University demonstrated their dominance by leading 46-20 at halftime, finishing the game with a 25-5 season record.
Girls’ Teams Advance Strongly
The girls’ matches showcased equally impressive performances, notably from the No. 3 seed Justin-Siena, who easily defeated the No. 11 seed James Logan 60-41. Lauren Keller led all scorers with 24 points, helping Justin-Siena secure a spot in the semifinals for the third consecutive year. The Braves now hold a season record of 25-5 and will face No. 2 seed Moreau Catholic, who has a record of 22-6, in the upcoming semifinals.
In Division 4, the No. 1 seed Rancho Cotate secured a place in the semifinals for the first time since 2020 by overcoming No. 9 Vintage 47-34. Despite trailing 21-19 at halftime, the Cougars surged ahead with a remarkable 19-4 scoring run in the third quarter. Freshman Isabelle Ellisen shone brightly, scoring 21 points, while Ella O’Brien contributed 12 points, including four three-pointers in the second half.
The playoff landscape continues to shift as teams prepare for the semifinals on February 28, 2024.
Upcoming Semifinal Matches
The semifinals feature several exciting matchups. In the boys’ Division 4, No. 2 seed Rancho Cotate will face No. 6 Alhambra, while No. 1 seed St. Vincent will take on No. 4 Averroes. In the girls’ Division 2, Justin-Siena will travel to compete against Moreau Catholic, and Rancho Cotate will host No. 4 seed Las Lomas.
With the stakes higher than ever, these teams are poised for thrilling contests as they aim for championship glory in the ongoing North Coast playoffs.
