Palo Alto boys hoping to write Palo Alto boys hoping to write (March 12, 2003)another success story in postseason

by Rick Chandler

Palo Alto assistant coach David Weaver had told the story often enough -- how the 1993 Palo Alto team on which he had played won the Central Coast Section title, how they were undefeated that year on the way to a state title, and how they dealt with all of that pressure.

"We heard about that often enough, so we wanted to write our own chapter," said Palo Alto guard John Picazo. "We lost in the semifinals the past two years, so it feels good to finally get the job done."

With Weaver looking on, Picazo had a career-high 17 points, and teammate Ryan Symes had a game-high 28 points and 16 rebounds to lead the top-seeded Vikings (21-9) to the promised land -- a 77-61 triumph over Aragon of San Mateo for the Division II crown, the school's first section title since 1996.

"It's funny, because going in to CCS we thought to ourselves that any wins we get here would be just gravy," said Weaver, who is studying law at Santa Clara University, the site of Paly's triumph on Saturday. "We've had our ups and downs; we were beaten at the buzzer twice this year in league play, but it just made us stronger. These kids really believe in themselves, and that came through tonight."

In No. 7-seeded Aragon, the Vikings found themselves facing off with a quick, scrappy team that gave opponents fits in the Peninsula Athletic League South Division this season. The Dons come at you with a lot of pressure defense, and rely heavily on the three-point shot.

But Aragon (22-8) was only 23 of 56 from the field on Saturday, due in large part to Paly's defensive pressure. The Dons tied it at 22-all on Bryant Chang's layin with 2:34 remaining in the second quarter, but Paly then went on a 7-0 run and Aragon never got closer than four the rest of the game.

It was Picazo who fueled the second-quarter burst, scoring five points -- including a three-point play -- and playing excellent defense on Aragon's main scoring threat, Matt Lee, who was only four of 16 from the field for 12 points.

"We're an outside-shooting team, and if you're not hitting you're in trouble," said first-year Aragon coach Keri Huxford. "Every time we would start to make a move, Palo Alto would hit a basket at just the right time."

Key in that equation was Symes, who was easily the most athletic player Aragon had faced all season.

"I think the key was rebounding; limiting them to one shot," said the 6-foot-4 senior. "We came in really focused and prepared, figuring that this would be our year."

Kevin White had 13 points and Brian Baskauskas had 12 for the Vikings, with Picazo chipping in with a career-high 17 points plus three assists.

"Picazo had the game of his life," Weaver said. "When Aragon was scouting us, they had to figure that John was the X factor. He only averaged about four points per game this year, and teams had been playing off of him. So we told him that, if Aragon lays off of you, just take it to them. And he did; he was seven for eight from the field."

Paly was to take on Sacramento (29-2) on Tuesday in the first round of the NorCal playoffs -- part of a NorCal doubleheader with the Pinewood girls team at the Palo Alto gym. Pinewood was to meet Folsom, also in the first round. Paly is coached by Peter Diepenbrock and Pinewood is directed by Doc Scheppler, and the doubleheader will serve as a reunion of sorts: Scheppler was Diepenbrock's frosh-soph basketball coach at Burlingame High for two seasons, 1978-80.

If Paly wins on Tuesday, it likely will play at No. 2 Montgomery of Santa Rosa on Thursday.
Eastside Prep 67, R. Christian 30

It's mid-March, but the Panthers are still just working out the kinks. That's what happens when you play in a relatively weak league (where Eastside cruised to a 16-0 record), and there isn't even much competition in the CCS playoffs.

"Hopefully the guys are ready to step it up in close situations; our toughest games are ahead," said Eastside coach Chris Bischof, whose team claimed the Division V section title on Friday over Redwood Christian, 67-30, at Santa Clara University's Leavey Center.

The second-seeded Panthers (26-1) were to take on No.Bishop Quinn (22-5) in the first round of the NorCal playoffs on Tuesday at Sequoia High in Redwood City. If they win, they would then meet either No. 3 Hoopa Valley (25-6) or No. 6 Capitol Christian (23-7) on Thursday at Sequoia at 7 p.m.

As the top seed and boasting legitimate talent such as forward Victor Pannu (25 points on Friday) and guard Cyrus Goode (13 points, 7 assists), Eastside figured to have little trouble in the seven-team CCS Division V field. Add to that the fact that junior forward Keith Garner is back, having missed most of the season with a fractured foot.

Now, however, the real fun begins, as the small East Palo Alto school shoots for its first state title. Can Eastside do it?

"There are some good teams out there," Bischof said. "Branson is usually good, and Capitol Christian has a 7-1 center who is going to Cal. Modesto Christian has also moved down from Division I, and is very good. So yes, there will be some challenges.

"We came out (Friday) with some good intensity, and hopefully that will carry over. One good thing is that we have Garner back, and that means a lot. There was a real void in the middle when he was hurt."

Garner has only been back for two games, but seems in mid-season form.

"I'm getting there," Garner said. "On a scale of one to 10, this game was an eight."