Oak Ridge falls, John Adams advances

Oak Ridge varsity girls' basketball team saw its season come to an end on Tuesday night, as the team lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Salesian Prep in the first round of the NorCal State Division 2 playoffs, 61-57. The Trojans got off to a good start, leading 14-7 after the first quarter, but then had a horrible second quarter in which they were outscored 18-7 and trailed at halftime, 25-21. Oak Ridge came out in the third quarter and again played pretty well, as they led 40-38 with eight minutes to play. The game, however, went to overtime and the Trojans only managed to score two points and lost the game, 61-57. "It definitely wasn't the way we wanted to end," Oak Ridge coach Brian Dulgar said. "We put ourselves in good position to win the game. Our press slowed them down and we pinched their high post offense, but we knew they were just as aggressive on the defensive end. Unfortunately, we allowed Salesian to come back due to mental errors which put us into overtime. The game was going to come down to rebounds and five or less possessions, which is why we couldn't take any plays off. "It's a bitter end for sure, but I am confident we are walking away from the season as a family and with some amazing personal and team development." Sophia Ross and Leah Harris both scored 19 points for the Trojans, while Vanessa Johnson finished with 10. John Adams Academy John Adams, playing in the Division 5 Nor-Cal playoffs, the Patriots, seeded second, easily displaced the 15th seed, Sonoma Academy, 54-29. John Adams didn't play its best game, but teams that hold opponents to under 30 points usually win and that's what they did. "It wasn't our best work as a group, as we turned the ball over too much, but early in the second quarter the girls got control of the game," John Adams coach Anthony Schwartz said. John Adams led 17-7 after the first quarter and by halftime led 29-13 and pulled away from there. Elliott Schwartz led the team with 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals in only 16 minutes of action. Nadaysia Bowlin scored 10 points, grabbed nine rebounds and added three steals, two assists and two blocks. Parker Schwartz scored eight points and made six steals, pulled down four rebounds and added two assists. John Adams will host 10th seeded Lowell at 7 p.m. on Thursday.