No contest: Dougherty Valley smokes California in rivalry sport

SAN RAMON – As Dougherty Valley’s beginning lineup was introduced, the California Excessive pupil part turned their backs on their crosstown rivals in a gesture of pleasant gamesmanship earlier than the beginning of Friday’s huge sport. 

Had they identified the ultimate final result, the group of rowdy college students might need had their again turns the whole time. 

In a highly-anticipated matchup between two of the East Bay Athletic League’s prime groups, Dougherty Valley smoked host California 73-44 behind sizzling capturing and suffocating protection from the Wildcats’ prime gamers. 

“We own this town,” Dougherty Valley coach Mike Hansen mentioned. “We have a chip on our shoulder any time we hear that this game is the Battle of San Ramon.

“This is our town. From the deep hills to the freeway. We’ve been winning a long time since we got here. So, I think our guys wanted to come in on the road and make a statement.”

Dougherty Valley’s Jalen Stokes (2) goes up for a dunk in opposition to California within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group) 

Dougherty Valley star Jalen Stokes had a game-high 24 factors and grabbed 11 rebounds. Capturing guard Rashod Cotton Jr. totaled 14 factors in his first sport again since struggling a hamstring damage two weeks in the past. Senior level guard Cole Roque added 10 factors and 5 assists. 

Emeka Ifediora had a team-high 14 factors for Cal, which was held to only 14 factors within the first half. 

“We were a little off rhythm,” Cal coach Steve Ohlmeyer mentioned. “Give them credit. We’re playing really well right now. They came out ready to play and we weren’t.” 

After constructing a 10-point lead after the primary eight minutes of play, Dougherty Valley constructed an insurmountable lead within the second quarter. 

The Wildcats began the interval with a 14-2 run, taking a 32-10 lead with two minutes left. 

With all the eye on Stokes, Dougherty Valley discovered scoring from Roque, Cotton and Freshman Alonzo Walker. The Wildcats’ array of aggressive guards gave Cal issues on each ends.

Dougherty Valley compelled 11 first half turnovers and stole six passes that changed into simple buckets on offense. 

Dougherty Valley’s Cole Roque (5) steals the ball as California’s Harrison Park (2) chases him within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group) 

By halftime, Dougherty Valley held a 36-14 lead. 

The second half was extra of the identical. 

Six totally different gamers scored a basket for Dougherty Valley within the third quarter as California had no reply for the Wildcats’ fast-paced assault. 

With the California crowd standing silent for many of the second half, the Wildcats took the chance to construct their lead even additional. 

Stokes scored on a fastbreak dunk within the fourth to provide Dougherty Valley a 64-36 lead. Later within the interval, Cotton knocked down a 3-pointer that gave the Wildcats a 30-point lead – their largest of the night time. 

For Dougherty Valley, Friday’s win solely additional confirmed what they already thought going into the sport. 

“We really think we’re the best team in the EBAL,” Stokes mentioned. “We had to come out and show it if we really meant that. I think we showed it tonight.”

California’s Anish Chilikuri (34) battles Dougherty Valley’s Jalen Stokes (2) for a unfastened ball within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group) 

Together with Cotton, Dougherty Valley additionally obtained huge man Azan Evans again into the rotation. The 6-foot-5 huge man returned to the crew earlier within the week after an damage saved him out for many of the yr. 

The Wildcats struggled at occasions with rebounding and rim safety, however Evans’ presence offers Dougherty Valley a a lot wanted publish participant on each ends heading into the postseason. Evans completed with 5 factors and 6 rebounds, enjoying many of the second and third quarter. 

“He gives us depth and another guy who can rebound,” Hansen mentioned. “He’s another big body in there that could set screens for Jalen too. He’s just super athletic.”

Whereas Dougherty Valley struggled with out Stokes to begin the season, the Wildcats appear to be clicking on the proper time. The San Ramon faculty has gained seven straight and 9 of its final 10 video games. 

“We’re starting to defend at a high level,” Hansen mentioned. “That was my fear with this group. We had lots of actually good offensive gamers, however have been they prepared to take a seat and guard folks? We actually locked that up tonight. If we try this, we’re going to be robust to beat.

Dougherty Valley head coach Mike Hansen reacts to a name in opposition to California whereas enjoying within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group) Dougherty Valley’s Jalen Stokes (2) goes up for a dunk in opposition to California within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group) Dougherty Valley head coach Mike Hansen prepares to huddle up together with his gamers whereas enjoying California within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group) California head coach Steve Ohlmeyer talks to his gamers throughout a timeout in opposition to Dougherty Valley within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group) Dougherty Valley’s Rashod Cotton II (13) goes up for a layup previous California’s Anish Chilikuri (34) within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group) California head coach Steve Ohlmeyer coaches from the bench in opposition to Dougherty Valley within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group) Dougherty Valley’s Cole Roque (5) shoots and scores a layup previous California’s Sib Sankar (1) within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group) Dougherty Valley head coach Mike Hansen watches gamers tackle California within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group) California’s Brayde Kuykendall (3) leaps to catch a cross whereas being guarded by Dougherty Valley’s Rashod Cotton II (13) within the first half of their sport at California Excessive College in San Ramon, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)