North Coast Section boys basketball: Salesian, Granada advance to Open Division semifinals

A rematch for Granada with Dougherty Valley after solid win over Dublin; Salesian continues to roll with stranglehold win over San Ramon Valley

The Salesian boys basketball team is hoping to be a party pooper — specifically an East Bay Athletic League spoiler. 

The Pride (22-7), the only team in the North Coast Section's Open Division not in the EBAL, knocked off one of the league's gems, 55-39 Thursday at Contra Costa College. 

Alvin Loving and Evin Goodwin led the Pride with 15 points each and Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division MVP Aaron Claytor added 12. 

It was the Pride's defense that stood out, holding the high-scoring Wolves to a season low in points by 14. San Ramon Valley's previous low was a 53-52 win over Roosevelt-Eastvale and its previous low in a loss was 55. 

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Salesian held San Ramon Valley to just nine points in the first half. 

The Pride, the third seed, will now play at second seed De La Salle (20-7) in Wednesday's semifinal. Salesian has won eight straight and 15 of 16. Its only loss in that span was 64-52 to defending state Open Division champion Corona Centennial at the Crush of the Valley Tournament on Jan. 21. 

"We've been playing really well and consistent in the past couple of weeks, especially on defense," Salesian coach Bill Mellis said. "As we move forward I feel that our defense will keep us in any game." 

Claytor said his team's depth and balance is always the key. "We're very deep and we trust each other," he said earlier in the season. 

Mellis said Claytor, a transfer from Hawaii, has definitely had a Player of the Year season. 

Aaron Claytor (30), Salesian. File photo: Ralph Thompson

"He's an old school pass-first point guard that loves to get everyone involved," Mellis said. "He truly makes his teammates better. He's been a joy to coach." 

San Ramon Valley (23-7), which averages 69 points per game, was coming off an 86-83 loss to Dougherty Valley in the EBAL semifinals last week. In that game, the Wolves led by 27 points in the third quarter. 

Perhaps that defeat deflated SRV somewhat. 

The Wolves were led by Luke Isaak with 13 points and Parker McClaughry (10). 

Granada 72, Dublin 64

St. Mary's College-pound 7-foot center Andrew McKeever had 33 points and 15 rebounds, according to the San Jose Mercury News, as the Matadors (22-8) shook off the disappointment of losing in the EBAL finals Saturday with an impressive home victory. 

Tyler Harris added 22 points for Granada, which will travel back to top seed Dougherty Valley for a Wednesday semifinal. All in the Open Division advance to the CIF Northern California regional starting the week of Feb. 27. 

Dublin (18-10), which got 22 points from Colorado-bound Courtney Anderson Jr. and 13 each from Mehki Thomas and Jalen Stokes, will play San Ramon Valley for fifth place on Wednesday.