Falcons basketball rebounds from slow start to defeat Monte Vista Falcons basketball rebounds from slow start to defeat Monte Vista (February 18, 2005)

Crosstown basketball rivalry continues tonight
by Lori Nielsen

The Foothill boys varsity team rebounded from a slow first quarter Friday night to defeat Monte Vista 56-52. At the end of the first quarter the Falcons were behind 18-6. During the second quarter, the team was able to put 15 points on the board, 8 of them by sophomore Ryan Dadrass. Foothill then kept the Mustangs to only 5, closing the gap to 23-21 at the half. The teams battled on in the second half.

In the final quarter the Falcons pulled away with the help of junior Brian McDonough who had a 5-point run. The Falcons were ahead 46-45, when McDonough hit a jump shot, then a free throw followed by a lay-up to extend the lead 51-45 with only 55 seconds left in the game.

Monte Vista returned with a goal by Cory Higgins, who was fouled in the process and then made his free throw and was followed up with a lay-up by a teammate, bringing the score to 52-50. Tyler Galbraith hit 5 from the line, cinching the Falcons win 56-52. This was a big game for the Falcons, who were happy to have defeated Monte Vista, which had been just a half game behind East Bay Athletic League leader San Ramon Valley.

Leading scorers were Dadrass - 16, Galbraith - 14, McDonough - 9, and Bryce Alvari - 7.

Pleasanton cross-town basketball rivalry continues tonight with the boys varsity playing at Foothill High at 7 p.m. and the girls varsity at Amador Valley High, also at 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball

The undefeated (20-0, 8-0) freshmen Lady Dons continued their streak last Friday against San Ramon Valley. Amador trailed after the first quarter, 7-8. The Lady Wolves stretched the lead to 5 points about three minutes into the second period. Strong Amador defense kicked in as San Ramon was held to just one basket in the remaining five minutes of the half. Amador took the lead into the break 15-14.

The Don's defense kept San Ramon from scoring for almost eight-and-a-half minutes of play in the second half. During this time the Dons added 14 points to their total. The Dons had a comfortable lead as the game wore down and came out on top 43-31.

Katie Gellerman was the hot shooter racking up 15 points. April Duarte added 6 points and Georgia Bloom, Jaclyn Pang and Alyssa Morgan each added 4. The tough Amador defense forced San Ramon to turn the ball over 11 times and had an outrageous 31 steals. Morgan lead the Dons with 8 steals, Gellerman had 5, and Pang 4. Bloom and Arianna Tillman each had 6 rebounds.
Girls Soccer

It was a grueling first half as Foothill and Amador girls varsity teams played to a 0-0 tie. Early in the second half Foothill opened the scoring as Erin Wylie headed in a perfect cross from Naomi Lambert. Christy Payne then fought her way through the defense and came up with a left-footed shot into the back of the net. Capping off the scoring was Amanda Lopez, who found herself in front of the net when Kirstie Kuhns put a ball across from the left side. The Falcons never gave the Dons a chance as they dominated the remainder of the game, winning 3-0.

The Lady Falcons finished the league season tied for second place with San Ramon Valley in the EBAL. They have been seeded second in the upcoming North Coast Section tournament, where they will defend last year's title.
Boys Soccer

The Amador Dons Boys Soccer team is among those selected to participate in the NCS Winter Soccer Championships. The Dons, who were Tri-Champions of the EBAL, picked up a No. 6 seed and will travel to Pittsburg on Saturday to meet the No 3-seeded Pirates in a quarterfinal match at Pittsburg High.

Schedule
Friday
Boys basketball - Amador at Foothill, varsity 7 p.m.; JV at 5:30 p.m.; frosh at 4 p.m. Girls basketball - Foothill at Amador, varsity 7 p.m.; JV at 5:30 p.m.; frosh at 4 p.m.
Saturday
Wrestling - EBAL Championship Tournament at California High School - all day

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