Playing an electrified second half, the Menlo boys’ basketball climbed back from an 11-point deficit to take down host Sacred Heart Prep 61-52 in a West Bay Athletic League game Friday night.
Menlo's Cole Kastner delivers his first of two dunks, and finished with 23 points to surpassing the 1,000-point career mark. Credit: P. McKenneyThe Knights improve to 5-0 after the duel between unbeatens. Menlo senior Cole Kastner finished with 23 points, and in the process recorded his 1,000th point of his four-year varsity career. He also had 13 rebounds and two blocked shots.
Junior guard Davis Mead scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half and had three steals. Senior Justin Sellers grabbed seven rebounds, and junior Hunter Riley provided a big spark on both ends, getting seven rebounds and six points down the stretch.
In the third, Mead made a steal and fed Sellers for a basket and the Knights closed the gap to five. On the ensuing possession, Riley rebounded then later converted a three-point play to pull within two, and Menlo trailed 40-39 entering the fourth.
The Knights took the lead after Sellers sank a pair of free throws with 4:33 left. Riley converted a pair of free throws then Sellers - on an assist from Kastner, then the two traded roles - and the Knights led 52-46.
Menlo returns to the court Tuesday, Jan. 21, at home against Harker.

Menlo School 8 9 22 22 - 61
Sacred Heart 7 21 12 12 - 52

M: Kastner 9 3-6 21, Mead 5 6-10 16, Riley 2 2-3 6, Hester 2 0-0 5, Sellers 1 3-4 5, Cook 2 0-0 4, Huber 1 2-3 4. Three-point goal: Mead. Total: 22 16-26 61. SHP: Braccia 6 0-1 15, Nichols 1 4-5 6, Deshpande 1 3-4 5, Barton 1 0-0 2, Banks 3 1-4 7, Carrington 3 0-0 7, Pleasants 3 0-0 7, Selna 1 1-3 3. Three-point goals – Carrington, Pleasants Braccia 3. Total: 19 9-17 52.

Menlo 60, Eastside 44

1.14.2020 –After regrouping at halftime, the Menlo boys’ basketball used a third-quarter charge to top a stubborn Eastside Prep team 60-44 on the road Tuesday.
The Knights (11-3 overall, 4-0 West Bay Athletic League) led the whole way, but two 7-0 runs going into halftime and in the third quarter pushed their lead to 20. Eastside narrowed the lead to 12 with a pair of three-pointers to start the fourth, but Menlo shut it down.
Senior Cole Kastner paced the Knights with 25 points, 11 rebounds,four assists and three blocked shots. Junior guard Davis Mead pitched in with 12 points while senior Justin Sellers had eight points and three assists.
The Knights switched up going from man to zone, and especially in the second half, leaned on junior Chris Cook in the middle to stop Eastside center Raymond Reece.
“We weren’t quite prepared (in the first half), so we talked,” Menlo coach Keith Larsen said. “We challenged the boys to play better and It’s one of those things where I know my guys and I know what they can take, and sometimes they need a little love, so we talked at halftime. Chris Cook did a great job in the middle.”
Reece finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds for Eastside.
Menlo next plays at Sacred Heart Prep at 7:30 pm on Friday.

Menlo School 18 14 16 12 - 60
Eastside Prep 12 9 11 12 - 44
M: Kastner 10 5-11 25, Mead 3 4-4 12, Sellers 4 0-1 8, Riley 2 2-3 6, Hester 2 0-0 5, Cook 0 2-2 2, Huber 1 0-0 2. Three-point goals: Mead 2, Hester. Total: 22 13-21 60. White 2 5-8 11, David 4 2-2 10, Jack M 2 0-2 4, Jordan W 2 0-0 4, Reece 4 4-8 12, Nula 1 0-0 2. Three-point goals: White 2, Jack M. Total: 15 11-20 44.