Cagers lose to Steele Canyon

Ramona’s boys basketball team lost in the opening round of the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) playoffs 93-81 to the number four seed, Steele Canyon High School.

The Bulldogs finished the season with a 15-13 record, a marked improvement on their 8-20 record in 2007-08.

The Bulldogs got off to a slow start. Steele Canyon’s pressing man-to-man defense forced ten turnovers in the first period and the Dawgs fell behind 21-10 going into the second period.

The Dawgs adjusted to the Cougar’s defense in the second period but Steele Canyon controlled the boards at both ends of the court and took a 40-21 lead into intermission.

Both teams found their offenses in the second half. The two teams combined for 63 points in the third period. The Cougars led by as many as 28 points in the third period, but the Dawgs rallied midway through the period. Steele Canyon led 74-50 going into the final eight minutes.

The Dawgs outscored Steele Canyon 31-19 in the final quarter and cut the lead to twelve points on several occasions.

Andrew Alcaraz led the second half surge by scoring all 24 points after intermission. Doug McIntosh led all scorers with 27 points. Alcaraz and McIntosh both hit four three-point shots.

Cameron Kolk, Kwayde Miller and Alcaraz each grabbed four rebounds for the Dawgs. Miller also blocked two shots. Kolk ((9), Miller (6), Jared Engler (3), Zach Windes (2), Keith Scheib (4) and Tyler Jordan (2) all scored in the game.

“Steele Canyon ran the floor as well as any team that we played all season,” said Coach Ken Scheib. “However, we adjusted in the second half and played much better. I am proud of the way our team hung in there and refused to give up. We made a run in the final period.”

Scheib had special praise for his two seniors.

“We will not only miss Dodge’s scoring and Cameron’s rebounding, we will miss their leadership in the games and at practices,” he said. “We will be a better team next season because of what Dodge and Cameron did this season.