Placer, Colfax, DO bow out in state tournament

After a season filled with milestones and Sac-Joaquin Section championships, Placer High School's postseason run came to an abrupt end Tuesday night as the boys and girls basketball teams fell in the opening round of the CIF State Basketball Tournament. In Division III, top-seeded Placer suffered a 44-39 upset loss to No. 16 Belmont-Notre Dame. The Hillgals used a 10-0 surge in the first quarter to take a 13-6 lead but would be outscored 38-26 the rest of the way. Placer was one of three No. 1 seeds to fall Tuesday night, as Buchanan and La Miranda went down in boys brackets. Coach Tony Camillucci said the loss doesn't diminish what the team accomplished during a standout season that included a section title. "We lost to a very good team at the end," Camillucci said. "It doesn't take anything away from what this amazing group of kids accomplished. I am so very proud to have been a part of it." Camillucci said the sting of the loss was still fresh after the game. "When you have such a great group, it's hard when it's over, but they realize that most are coming back next year and they are ready to get back to work," said Camillucci. Placer's girls wrap up their season at 30-3 overall, setting a new mark for most wins in program history. In Division II, No. 12 Placer fell 106-89 at No. 5 San Francisco-University in a fast-paced contest. The Hillmen trailed 56-54 at halftime, but struggled to keep pace for four quarters as University used a 10-0 run midway through the third quarter to create separation. "We were never able to come back," Placer coach Nate Swesey said of the run, noting the Red Devils shot around 50 percent from three-point range. University was led by Lucas Lau's 40 points. Kannon Rector led the Hillmen with 33 points. Swesey reflected positively on a memorable season for the Hillmen, who finished 29-4 and a school record for wins in a season. "We're going to miss the seniors," Swesey said. "Couldn't ask for a better group of kids, and this team and season will be remembered for a long time." Colfax boys basketball nearly knocked off a top seed in Division IV but fell to No. 1 Chico 66-60. The Falcons finish the season at 23-9. In the Division II girls bracket, No. 12 Del Oro upset No. 5 Acalanes of Lafayette 74-62, thanks to a 24-point outing by Madalyn Poe and 18 points from Frankie Steffes. The Lady Eagles couldn't keep the Cinderella run going, however, falling to No. 4 Oakland Tech 70-54 on Thursday.