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James Logan tops Palo Alto for Nor Cal D-1 title

Nor Cal Division I Regional Championship:

James Logan Colts 65, Palo Alto Vikings 61 (OT)

By Gerry Freitas


SANTA CLARA - The James Logan Colts overcame a sluggish first half and fought off the Palo Alto Vikings 65-61 in overtime on Saturday afternoon at Santa Clara University to capture the Northern California Division I Regional championship.

James Logan moves to 28-5 on the season and will face Roosevelt of Eastvale in the state finals on Friday at the Golden Center in Sacramento. They are now 2-2 in Nor Cal finals appearances.

Palo Alto finishes its season at 26-5 and is also 2-2 in Nor Cal finals.

Logan was an abysmal 29% (7-24) from the field before intermission in falling behind 26-19. After trailing by 13 at 35-22 early in the third quarter the Colts came alive.

They shot it well, ending up 12-14 (50%) after the break in regulation, with a mix of inside and outside opportunities. “They fight all the way to the end of the game,” said Logan head coach Melvin Easley of his team. “We never give up until that last buzzer.”

Palo Alto head coach Pete Diepenbrock acknowledged that Logan “made more plays” in the second half and in the overtime.

Senior guard Ryan Parilla, who led all scorers in the game with 21 points (19 in the second half), said the Colts considered themselves “underdogs the whole season” and he never saw himself in this position (one game away from a state title).

He went on to say that it was “real blessing” for the team.

Easley pointed out that “that Logan IS known as a basketball school” when it was suggested otherwise in the post game press conference. At this point it would be hard to argue with him.

Scoring Totals:

James Logan (65): Jordan McGlory 6, James Colyer 2, Edra Luster 13, Ryan Parilla 21, Noah Conner 17, Gabriel Hawkins 6

Palo Alto (61): Spencer Rojahn 3, Max Dorward 17, Will Schlemmer 8, Jared Wulbrun 6, Miles Tention 16, Jack Simison 7, Ethan Stern 2, Bryant Jefferson 2

Nor Cal Division 1 champions James Logan
Nor Cal Division 1 champions James Logan (Photo by Gerry Freitas)
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