North Coast Section basketball live update summary: Open Division boys, girls first round finals (2-15-2024)
It doesn't get much better than this if you're a Northern California high school basketball fan.
The Open Division of the North Coast Section playoffs got underway Thursday with two games each in the boys and girls play. All but one of the eight teams have been ranked among the Top 25 teams in the state.
In the end, fourth-seed San Ramon Valley (25-5), ranked 16th in the state by SBLive, knocked off Granada (22-4), while while Branson (22-6), No. 22 in the state, outlasted a tough squad from Clayton Valley Charter (22-8) at College of the Marin.
In girls action, fourth-seed Bishop O'Dowd (19-5) went on the road to knock off fifth-seed Acalanes (25-5), while No. 3 seed Carondelet (26-4) visited sixth seed Piedmont (20-6) and used a first-quarter blitz to win going away. Bishop O'Dowd is ranked 13th in the state by SBLive, Acalanes is 16th, Carondelet is No. 22 and Piedmont is on the bubble.
We'll be tracking all the games which start at 7 p.m. through various trusted sources, including the NFHS Network and Twitter accounts of devoted media members. Check back throughout the night. NOTE: Clayton Valley vs. Branson tips off at 7:30 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Bishop O'Dowd 63, Acalanes 46 (final)
Fourth quarter
Bishop O'Dowd 58, Acalanes 42: Midway through the fourth quarter.
Second quarter
Bishop O'Dowd 26, Acalanes 21 (Halftime)
Bishop O'Dowd 13, Acalanes 11: Layup by Myella Chapman for Dragons.
Carondelet 83, Piedmont 53 (final)
Fourth quarter
Carondelet 83, Piedmont 53: Final
Third quarter
Carondelet 60, Piedmont 33: End of 3.
Second quarter
Carondelet 47, Piedmont 15 (halftime)
First quarter
Carondelet 25, Piedmont 7: End of 1Q.
BOYS BASKETBALL
San Ramon Valley 77, Granada 68 (final): WATCH NFHS
Fourth quarter
Mason Thomas hits eight straight free throws in the fourth quarter to lead a 24-22 edge in the final frame. The Matadors, down key starter NaVaughn Long (shoulder), went down swinging with a pair of 3-pointers at the finish. They were in it all the way and in fact had a 36-33 halftime lead.
San Ramon Valley 71, Granada 58. Two free throws by Diekmann probably put this one to bed. (1:36 4Q).
San Ramon Valley 61, Granada 51: A 3-pointer by Diekmann gives Wolves biggest lead of the game. (5:41 4Q).
Third quarter
San Ramon Valley 53, Granada 46 (end of 3). SRV outscores Matadors 20-10 in 3Q.
San Ramon Valley 43, Granada 41: Deely finishes off 10-1 run with left-hand layup to take first lead of second half. 2:02 (3Q).
Granada 40, San Ramon Valley 37: Wolves on a 4-0 run to close to 3. (3:37 3Q).
Halftime
Granada 36, San Ramon Valley 33: Like said all game, Granada won't go away. Spencer Langowski with 3-point play. Damien Miles pulls up for 3-pointer at the buzzer. Matadors end half on quick 9-0 run. (Halftime)
San Ramon Valley 33, Granada 27: Wolves in middle of 9-2 run. (1:04 2Q)
Granada 18, San Ramon Valley 18: Courtevious Taylor with putback. Down in personnel. Down early, Matadors aren't going away (6:08 2Q).
First quarter
San Ramon Valley 18, Granada 14: A 3-pointer by Sebastian Terrel while being fouled for Granada cuts the lead to four after one quarter.
San Ramon Valley 5, Granada 0. Granada takes quick timeout timeout (6:44 1Q).
- Before the game, reported by Darren Sabedra that Granada will be without key starter NaVaugh Long.
62, Clayton Valley Charter 50 (final)
Branson 62, Clayton Valley Charter 50 (final)
Fourth quarter
Tied at 39 heading into the fourth quarter, Branson went on 23-11 run in the fourth quarter. Branson travels to De La Salle in the NorCal Open semifinals.
Jase Butler had 20 points and Semetri Carr added 12. Elijah Perryman led Clayton Valley with 17 points, James Moore and Vince Ellis added 11 apiece. .
Branson 54, Clayton Valley 45: Bulls in middle of 15-6 run. (1:16 4Q)
Branson 48, Clayton Valley 39: Another 10-0 run by Branson puts Bulls in command. (3:45 4Q)
Second quarter
Clayton Valley Charter 27, Branson 24: Halftime
Clayton Valley 25, Branson 24: A 10-0 run capped by tough Jase Butler layup cuts Clayton Valley's lead to a point with 55 seconds left in the half.
Clayton Valley Charter 20, Branson 14: Eagles still in control after a 3.
First quarter
Branson 14, Clayton Valley 13: The Bulls end the quarter on a 9-0 run to take lead after one. Lock down on defense.
Clayton Valley 13, Branson 4: Shocking start for big underdog Eagles, who hit three quick 3-pointers according toe West Coast Preps en route to early lead.
