{"id":8717777,"date":"2023-01-16T18:21:37","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T02:21:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/?p=8717777&preview=true&preview_id=8717777"},"modified":"2023-01-17T07:58:14","modified_gmt":"2023-01-17T15:58:14","slug":"prep-basketball-no-1-piedmont-survives-challenge-from-no-3-salesian-at-odowd-mlk-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastbaytimes.com\/2023\/01\/16\/prep-basketball-no-1-piedmont-survives-challenge-from-no-3-salesian-at-odowd-mlk-classic\/","title":{"rendered":"Prep basketball: No. 1 Piedmont survives challenge from No. 3 Salesian at O’Dowd MLK Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"

OAKLAND — Piedmont had two of its starters foul out, gave up 11 three-pointers, and was consistently harassed into turnovers and rushed shots by a frenetic Salesian team that boasts victories over fantastic teams like Sacred Heart Cathedral and Oakland Tech.<\/p>\n

The Highlanders, ranked No. 1 by the Bay Area News Group, justified their top spot by pushing past those difficulties in a 69-63 win at Bishop O\u2019Dowd\u2019s Martin Luther King Jr. Classic on Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n

In the process, Piedmont looked every bit like a team that can compete in the Open Division, the highest level of the state playoffs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey should be in there,\u201d Salesian coach Stephen Pezzola said. \u201cThey beat Mitty, and they beat us, so there\u2019s no reason they shouldn\u2019t be in the Open Division.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unless something changes at the last minute, Piedmont won’t be in the North Coast Section Open Division. Only teams from Divisions I through III are eligible for the NCS’s top bracket. Piedmont is a Division IV team.<\/p>\n

But that won’t affect where Piedmont lands in the regionals.<\/p>\n

The Highlanders clearly are good enough for both.<\/p>\n

Salesian\u2019s senior shooting guard Makiah Asidanya nailed five three-pointers as part of a game-high 25-point night.\u00a0 A 21-point second quarter by the Pride (15-3) ended with a 33-30 lead at halftime.<\/p>\n

\"OAKLAND
OAKLAND – Piedmont forward Eva Levingston makes a reverse layup. Piedmont and Salesian played in the high school basketball game at Bishop O’Dowd high school for the Martin Luther King Jr. day Showcase in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Jan. 16, 2023 (Joseph Dycus\/Bay Area News Group) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After its opponent built its advantage using long-range marksmanship, Piedmont came back by utilizing a much different strategy.<\/p>\n

Eva Levingston powered in 10 of her team-high 21 points in the third quarter before joining starting point guard Perseas Gioukaris on the Piedmont bench with five fouls midway through the fourth.<\/p>\n

Those baskets, mostly scored on flip shots and layups, turned a three-point Salesian halftime lead into a 53-43 Piedmont advantage heading into the final quarter. The Highlanders defense also made a crucial adjustment.<\/p>\n

“We had to start locking in on their shooters too, because they were getting a lot of threes they shouldn’t have,” Piedmont forward and San Diego State commit Trinity Zamora said.<\/p>\n

Zamora also took on more ballhandling duties while scoring 18, Natalia Martinez notched 13 points and guard Madison Hill spaced the floor by hitting three 3-pointers. Two of Piedmont\u2019s second-string players also impressed when pressed into action.<\/p>\n

\u201cKat Melian started last year for us, so I knew she\u2019d be ready,\u201d Piedmont coach Bryan Gardere said. \u201cShakila Zuberi came in and did the same thing. It was awesome to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"OAKLAND
OAKLAND – Kat Melian shoots a jumpshot. Piedmont and Salesian played in the high school basketball game at Bishop O’Dowd high school for the Martin Luther King Jr. day Showcase in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, Jan. 16, 2023 (Joseph Dycus\/Bay Area News Group) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Salesian kept the game close throughout the fourth, but the Highlanders hit their free throws and sealed the victory.<\/p>\n