Saratoga held a narrow 52-50 lead with just over a minute to go in a home game vs. Lynbrook last Friday night. The ball game could still go either way.
After Lynbrook failed to convert on their possession, senior Daniel Jadali took the ball up the court. Quickly being doubled, Jadali sought the open man and set a bounce pass across the court to senior Steven Ning.
The crowd arose in anticipation and students started holding up 3s with their hands while shouts of “Steven!” ensued.
Ning pulled the trigger on corner 3, a clean swish. The coup de grâce had been delivered as Saratoga extended their lead 55-50 with under a minute to go.
The bleachers trembled as the rowdy student section jumped, screamed and shouted. Parents, students and teachers stood in an ovation for the team.
Courtesy of Langdon Huynh
Ning sinks the game sealing three pointer with under a minute to go.
The Falcons and the Vikings came into the matchup both tied at first place in the El Camino with records of 2-0.
The game opened up with strong defense on display from both sides, leading to a low scoring first quarter. Sophomore Aidan Liu put up the first points for the Falcons with a contested layup. Liu also logged an impressive two deflections and a steal in the first, helping the team capitalize on Vikings’ turnovers. Ning and Saatvik Kommareddi both posted two points in the paint with Liu scoring another two points to cap off the quarter at 8-6.
Courtesy of Hudl
Liu logs a steal, setting up a fast break for the team to convert on the Lynbrook turnover.
In the second quarter, Lynbrook used their size advantage to tip the game in their favor, garnering a few offensive rebounds and executing well on their second-chance opportunities. Saratoga responded with 3-pointers from Jadali and junior Cole Sheehy, but fell into foul trouble with Jadali logging three fouls and Liu and senior Caleb Yu logging two as the team trailed 26-18 at half.
Early into the third quarter, Jadali picked up another foul putting him at a total of four, leaving coach Mike Davey with no choice but to bench him temporarily. Yu also picked up his fourth foul, but stayed on the court as his playmaking ability was a vital part of the Falcons’ offense.
The Falcons started the quarter strong, keeping pace with Lynbrook’s offense, but after two unanswered Vikings 3-pointers they started to trail. Liu scored nine points in the quarter alone, keeping the Falcons in the game. Playing without sophomore Anson Hulme — the team’s starting center who is out with a concussion — the height deficit started to become a game changing factor as the Falcons trailed 45-34.
Early in the fourth, Jadali scored six unanswered points, sparking the Falcons comeback. Shortly after, Liu showed off his range and hit a heavily contested 3 to cut the Vikings’ lead to 45-43. This capped a 9-0 run, forcing Lynbrook to take a timeout with just over five minutes to go.
Following the timeout, Lynbrook came out hot, answering with a 3-pointer followed by a 2-pointer to extend their lead to 50-43. The Falcons called a timeout with 3:38 to go.
Out of the huddle, Jadali wasted no time, responding with a heavily contested layup. Yu followed up with a 3-pointer to put the Falcons to cut the deficit to 50-48.
The home crowd reacted in disbelief after what they perceived as a second major missed foul call with star player Liu getting hit by two defenders early in the fourth quarter.
The Falcons went with the call and got a rebound. After getting the rebound, Ning drilled one from beyond the arc to give the Falcons a 51-50 lead with 2:06 to go, prompting another Lynbrook timeout.
Courtesy of Hudl
Ning hits one from the arc to secure the Falcons’ first lead since the first second quarter.
Lynbrook struggled to score on the following possession and fouled Ning on defense. Ning made one of two free throws, bringing the lead up to 52-50. The crowd erupted with defense chants as the Falcons came closer to closing out their victory.
Following a Lynbrook turnover, Ning pulled the trigger on a corner 3 to widen the margin. The game ended on a foul on Lynbrook, resulting in a free throw from Liu to end the game 56-50. Assistant principal Matthew Torrens had to block the crowd from storming the court as the teams exchanged handshakes and victorious chants ensued.
Coincidentally, the boys’ team beat Lynbrook 56-50 last year on Jan 23.
The victory from the Falcon marked the second time that week where the team came back from a double-digit deficit. Earlier on Jan. 4, the team trailed Homestead by 17 points and ultimately sent the game to overtime, winning 70-67 at home.
One of the reasons the team attributes to these deficits is the frequent injuries the team has been experiencing, resulting in adjustments having to be made from the usual starting lineup. However, the team largely credits their success in these scenarios to their training in practice and preparedness.
“The team was well-prepared going into the game because of our scouting report, which gave us insight into what to expect regarding Lynbrook’s plays and players,” said Liu, who scored 18 points on Jan. 11 and is averaging 12.5 on the season. “Coach Davey went over the specifics of the offenses and defenses we would run. I felt anxious to play in front of a large crowd, but my nervousness declined as I became accustomed to the environment around me. We run through drills in practice where one team is down one point and there are 15-30 seconds for them to execute one play with a chance to score.”
The team also highlighted their work ethic, resiliency and intensity throughout the game.
“In the fourth quarter, we focused and locked in on defense and knew we could come back because we have been in the same situation before. They also underestimated us because they thought the game was over entering the quarter,” Ning said. “Everytime we are out there with a team bigger than us, we win because we outwork them and have more intensity.”
The Falcons are now used to being undersized and down by double digit points, but keeping their intensity and perseverance high until the game is over.
“Play until the last minute, because we don’t go down easily,” Liu warned.
The boys will look to stay undefeated in league on Jan. 15 in an away game against fourth place Monta Vista.
