It was a contrast of emotions for two teams Tuesday night – tears for one at home and cheers for another on the road – in the CIF Northern California Regional basketball semifinals.
In Concord, fourth-seeded Jesuit High School outscored top-seeded De La Salle 14-3 in the final 3:26 to topple the defending NorCal champion Spartans 44-41. Jesuit will play Delta River League rival Sheldon for the title Saturday at Power Balance Pavilion.
In Oak Park, the second-seeded Sacramento girls saw their season come to a shocking close against a hot-shooting, well-coached and determined Miramonte of Orinda team 71-64 in D-III
Jesuit's senior core of Parker Uu, Akachi Okugo, Brian Glodowski, Kurt Parker and Bryce Pressley all made key plays as the Marauders turned the tables on a De La Salle squad (28-3) renowned for its defensive prowess.
The Marauders held De La Salle to three points in the final 3:26 and didn't allow the Spartans a basket until early in the second quarter.
"I tip my hat to these kids," said Jesuit coach Greg Harcos. "Possession after possession, we got big stops on defense and made big plays on offense. It took a lot of heart."
Uu finished with 12 points to lead the Marauders (27-6), who will play a Sheldon team that has beaten them seven consecutive times, including in the last two Sac-Joaquin section finals.
"Maybe we can get over the hump," Harcos said.
Sacramento (26-7) couldn't get over the hump against Miramonte (31-1), which made 11 three-pointers while playing with poise against the quick-handed Dragons.
Sacramento closed to 55-53 with 3:18 on a Briana Womack jumper before the Matadors pulled away and stopped Sacramento's bid for a third consecutive NorCal title trip.
Jasmine Ware closed a brilliant four-year career for the Dragons with 27 points.
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