LO boys hoops tops Independence in opener
A win is a win, no matter how it is recorded. The Live Oak boys basketball team gritted out a 56-37 win in the CCS Division I opener against Independence High School Wednesday.
The Acorns, seeded No. 6, needed most of the game to find a rhythm. Until the fourth quarter, Live Oak struggled to hold any type of lead over the 76ers.
The effort earned the Acorns the opportunity to face third seed Milpitas on Saturday. The game will be at 1 p.m. at Santa Clara High School.
“We will be stressing offensive composure and picking up the defense; you can never be too lax in those areas,” said Acorn head coach Brett Paolucci.
The Independence offense kept Live Oak’s defense on its heals for most of the game. The Acorns were out rebounded, and the 76ers had many second and third looks at the basket.
“We just looked lethargic in the first half,” Paolucci said. “We gave them too many second chances. We need to pick it up defensively.”
Live Oak was able to keep Independence from mounting any serious threat to set up an explosive second half.
Independence was held to two field goals and three free throws in the fourth quarter, while Live Oak scored 21 points, including two three pointers.
The Acorns, who made the playoffs last year and lost in the second round, are eager to move on to the next round.
“The team has a lot of confidence,” Paolucci said. “We want to do better than last year and move on to the semifinals. We have experienced players who know what it takes in the playoffs.”
In other TCAL action: No. 10 North Salinas rallied from behind to defeat No. 7 Aptos, 65-56 on Wednesday. The Vikings (18-10) play No. 2 Palo Alto Saturday at 6:15 p.m. at Oak Grove High School.
Boys Soccer
The Gilroy boys soccer team will be playing in the Division 1 CCS championship game tonight against Watsonville at PAL Stadium in San Jose at 7 p.m..
Girls Soccer
Sophomore Jenny Emick scored the only goal of Thursday’s CCS semifinal game to lift the Live Oak High girls soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Santa Teresa and send the Lady Acorns into the championship game.
Live Oak was knocked out of the playoffs the past two years by Santa Teresa, but Emick’s strike in the 56th minute off a feed from teammate Michelle McDonald was enough to advance.
