DANVILLE — Athenian High School’s full-court press forced the Clear Lake Cardinals into turnover after turnover in the second quarter as the Owls pulled away to win 65-42 in the quarterfinal round of the North Coast Section Division 5 boys basketball playoffs on Friday night in Danville.
“They were in a full-court press until about two minutes to go, that’s just their game,” Clear Lake head coach Mike Damiata said of the third-seeded Owls (18-3), who advance to the semifinals Tuesday night to play No. 2 seed Head-Royce of Oakland.
Clear Lake, the No. 6 seed, finishes the season at 13-9.
“They left it all out there,” Damiata said of his players, including seven seniors playing in their final high school game. “I’m super proud of all my guys, especially the seniors. They played their hearts out.”
Athenian took a 14-8 lead into the second quarter when its press forced number turnovers that turned into too many easy baskets for the Owls, according to Damiata.
“They were fast and all over the court,” Damiata said of the Athenian players. “Turnovers have been our Achilles’ heel all year. We were able to break the press a few times but not enough to keep us close.”
Athenian went into halftime with a 38-21 lead.
Zane Robinson’s 13 points led the Cardinals.
“Zane played really well in the first half attacking the basket,” Damiata said.
Ethan Maize finished with seven points and Jack Daskam added six in the loss.
“It was a great season, especially after all we went through,” Damiata said of numerous COVID-19-caused game postponements and cancellations.
Clear Lake ended up playing five games in five days to finish up its regular season, winning the first four to clinch third place in the league standings behind co-champions Cloverdale and Middletown.
