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Pinewood finished the regular season 19-1 with a 57-47 win Saturday at Bishop O’Dowd in Oakland.
Now the Panthers turn their attention to the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs, which begin Friday.
“I anticipate us being the 3 seed behind Mitty and St. Ignatius,” Pinewood coach Doc Scheppler said.
Pinewood is the defending CCS Open Division champion. Its one loss this season was to St. Ignatius.
Playing O’Dowd in the regular-season finale gave the team a taste of playoff-level competition.
“We were tested to the highest degree by their physicality, intensity and feisty athleticism,” Scheppler said. ‘It was great preparation for the playoffs.”
Pinewood trailed 45-43 after three quarters, but had a 14-2 advantage over O’Dowd (14-6) the final eight minutes. Pinewood had a two-point lead late before Kaile Cruz and Elle Ladine hit a pair of 3-pointers to provide some breathing room.
Ladine led the way for Pinewood, as has been her custom this season, with 21 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Gabby Harris was a key contributor with 10 points and six rebounds.
“That was Gabby’s best game of the year,” Scheppler said. “She’s had a tough go at Pinewood with stress fractures of her shin and toe. She’s just rounding into shape.”
Point guard Jade Ramirez also scored 10. Cruz had 8 and Alex Facelo 6.
Pinewood ended up with a 10-point win despite committing 21 turnovers in what Scheppler described as a C+ game offensively.
“They would be in the top four in CCS,” Scheppler said of O’Dowd.
All five starters graduated off last season’s CCS championship team at Pinewood. Ladine, who is averaging 22 points and 14 rebounds per game, will be sure to attract plenty of defensive attention in the playoffs. Can the supporting cast take advantage of openings created by that defensive focus and step up?
“I have my fingers crossed,” Scheppler said. “At least we get to play some basketball, albeit with masks on.”