Menlo News March 03, 2020

NorCals: Boys’ basketball wraps up season with OT thriller

Div. II -Knights falls to Oakland Tech

In the CIF Div. II NorCals,  the Menlo boys’ basketball team played an electrified fourth quarter, rallying from a nine-point deficit, but lost to host Oakland Tech 56-48 in overtime Tuesday night.The Knights wrap up a 20-7 season during which they were selected to the CCS Open Division, won the Burlingame Tournament, went 3-1 at the Las Vegas Prep Tournament and finished as co-champions of the West Bay Athletic League. Against the fifth-seeded Bulldogs, the Knights trailed but stayed within arm’s reach for three quarters. The Knights climbed back in the fourth: Menlo junior Davis Mead sank one of his two huge three-pointers to start the quarter then added another with 3:15 to go and Oakland Tech led 41-33. Senior Cole Kastner added a basket then blocked a shot, then senior Justin Sellers added two to bring the Knights to within four 41-37. Senior Miles Hester grabbed a rebound then added a basket and Mead converted a layup to tie the game at 41 with 1:28 left. Robel Zemmo scored to put the Bulldogs back in front, then Kastner countered with a layup with 3 seconds left to tie the score at 43.In overtime, Hester sank a pair of free throws to pull the Knights within  four at 50-46 but the Bulldogs would hold on to advance to the quarterfinals. Kastner, who is set to play lacrosse for Virginia next season, led Menlo with 16 points, and finished his high school career with 1,193 points. He also had seven rebounds, along with senior Justin Sellers and junior Chris Cook. Cook and Mead, who had four assists, contributed nine points apiece.  

CIF- NorCals Div. II boys’ basketballFirst round 

Menlo School     9    4    9   21   5  - 48
Oakland Tech    12  12   9  10  13  - 56
M; Kastner 7 2-4 16, Cook 4 1-3 9, Mead 3 1-3 9, Sellers 3 1-2 7, Hester 1 2-2 5, Solomon 1 0-0 2,Three-point goals - M: Mead 2, Hester. Total: 19 7-14 48.