Cagers play for high seed in league playoffs
The Ramona Bulldogs snapped a five-game Valley League losing streak by beating Orange Glen 84-81 in overtime. The Dawgs are now 13-11 overall and are 3-6 in Valley League play.
The Bulldogs have not only had to battle their opponents. They have had to battle the flu bug. The Dawgs have not been at full strength for some time.
Coach Ken Scheib has not mentioned the flu bug or made excuses, but his Dawgs have been under the weather and shorthanded for the last three weeks.
The Dawgs started the week at home against the league’s number one team, the Oceanside Pirates.
The Pirates jumped out to a 9-3 lead and led 14-9 at the end of the first period. Ramona rallied in the second quarter and led 30-26 at half.
Oceanside outscored the Dawgs 18-5 to open the second half and led 48-40 going into the final eight minutes. Ramona cut the Pirate lead to 6 late in the fourth quarter, but the Dawgs were forced to foul the Pirates and Oceanside shot well at the free throw line to win the game.
Jared Engler led the Dawgs in scoring with 16 points. Andrew also tallied in double figures with 13 points. Zach Windes (7), Cameron Kolk (6) and Dodge McIntosh (8) also scored for the Dawgs.
Kolk led the Dawgs in rebounds with 10 boards. Alcaraz and Keith Scheib contributed four assists each.
The Dawgs had to play overtime to beat the Orange Glen Patriots. Ironically, in a game in which the Bulldogs surrendered the most points that they gave up all season, Coach Scheib had praise for the defensive play of Zach Windes, Garlan Marshall and Andrew Alcaraz.
“Windes and Marshall came off of the bench and stopped their momentum,” said Scheib. “Alcaraz scored 21 points and played equally as well on defense.
“Cameron Kolk played his best game of the year. He scored a season high 21 points and had 16 rebounds. He played well on defense. He played a complete game.”
The Patriots started the game hot and led 16-12 at the end of the first eight minutes. Ramona went on a run in the second period and led 37-26 at intermission. The two teams played evenly in the third period, but Orange Glen outscored the Dawgs 33-22 in the final period to send the game into overtime.
The Dawgs outscored the Pats in the extra period 10-7 to win 84-81. Three Dawgs scored more than 20 points in the victory. Kolb and Alcaraz both scored 21 points. Alcaraz hit three from beyond the arch.
Dodge McIntosh led all scorers with 27 points. McIntosh also sank three three-pointers.
The Dawgs travel to Valley Center tomorrow for an 8 p.m. game. The Dawgs are playing for a high seed in the upcoming playoffs.