With the Hawks down three midway through the second half, and in danger of losing all momentum, freshman guard Richard Banks made the most emphatic play of the night. Of the season. Perhaps of his life.
The Rams had just made their first 3 of the night, cutting the Las Positas’ once-comfortable 12-point lead down to a single basket. Then, a Las Positas turnover gave the ball right back to City College of San Francisco. Rams’ guard King-Njhsanni Wilhite scooped up the loose ball and took off. He was all by himself on the fast break.
CCSF had a prime opportunity to seize the momentum in their home gym, with a crowd ready to erupt. Most expected the hosts to go on a run. It seemed to have arrived as Wilhite, 6-foot-1 White sped towards an easy layup.
But Banks, the 6-foot-4 freshman from Stockton who weighs a160 with rocks in his pockets, had other plans. He sped behind Wilhite, with his long strides, and chased him down. Coming from seemingly out of nowhere, Banks suspended in air, using his Slenderman arms to swipe Wilhite’s layup out of the air. Banks blocked it against the backboard, stunning the crowd with his athleticism and timing, to thwart the easy basket.
The play injected life and fire into his squad. It was what they needed in that moment. And it set the tone for Las Positas for the rest of the game. They had an answer for everything San Francisco threw at them. They brought the necessary vigor and ferocity.
When it was over, and Las Positas had pulled off the 81-69 upset, no more doubt existed about their potential.
“Loved him sprinting back to not give up a layup and eventually stop their run,” said sophomore guard Sterling McClanahan, who finished with 16 points and six rebounds. “It gave us a lot of momentum to come down and score. Getting stops won us the game.”
This was a rare showdown. Both teams were 15-0. The Rams were ranked No. 1 in California. Las Positas was ranked No. 3. San Francisco is a proven program, with four championship banners in the last 14 years. Las Positas has only been to one state tournament.
But on this night, the Hawks were better. Their quickness, aggression and defense put them made the the No. 1 team in the state. They did it with heart, and toughness, and composure.
“I’ve been doing this for 27 years,” head coach James Giacomazzi said after just his second win over San Francisco as the head of the Hawks program. “When has there been an opportunity when there are 15-0 teams going against each other? So this is really a special moment for our kids. They work so stinking hard. Our kids are competitors. They fight and it was a really fun game to be a part of.”
This was proof the Hawks have what it takes. They know they can hang with the best in the state. Be the best in the state. All doubts were erased. The thing will be replicating this intensity night after night. If they can, they could do something no team in the history of the program has done: reach the championship game.
Las Positas winning the title doesn’t seem far-fetched now.
The Hawks return home on Wednesday to the Nest still undefeated. They’ll likely be crowned the No. 1 team in the state when the rankings come out on Monday. The team currently ranked No. 2, Fullerton College (15-2), lost to San Diego Canyon last week. So Las Positas should leapfrog them, too, in the latest rankings.
The Hawks’ next three opponents — home vs. Chabot, at Cañada and at Ohlone — have a combined overall record of 36-11.. Las Positas is now the hunted in Coast Conference-North action.
“We got a bunch of dawgs on the team,” sophomore forward Mecca Okereke said. “Small players that can play big. Big players that contest and just give it their all on defense. Just play hard and play with a lot of energy. A lot of guys out there that play physical, so we try to match that, especially against good teams like this.”
STINGY HAWKS: Las Positas held San Francisco below 70 points. It’s only happened to the Rams four times in the last four seasons. The Hawks allow an average of just 65.1 points per game, which ranks thirteenth-best in the state. (Photo by Devin Bradshaw/Special to The Express)
San Francisco has been an offensive machine this season. Before running into Las Positas’ staunch defense, the Rams averaged 95.9 points per game on 48.4 percent shooting. They knocked down 10.8 three-pointers a game at a clip of 34.8 percent.
The Hawks held them to four makes Friday night. Las Positas only allows an average of 4.4 made 3-pointers per game — best in California.
As much as they haven’t been in this position before, the Hawks looked as though they belonged. They controlled the game for the most part. They peskily harassed a larger, stronger, deeper and more athletic Rams team. Las Positas forced turnovers, forced San Francisco into tough shots, forced the hosts to play the visitor’s style of game.
With their 3-point shot failing them, the Rams went heavy on the isolation. Rams guard Miles Amos was the most effective off the dribble. He was crafty and physical in forcing his way to the basket, scoring 14 points in the first half. But San Francisco was playing into the hands of the Hawks’ defense.
Las Positas thrives on applying pressure and swarming ball-handlers. Eventually, they wore down the Rams offense. And San Francisco players did get past the perimeter, the help was waiting. Especially Okereke, who accounted for half of the Hawks’ eight blocks. Eliot Mobley had three of the Hawks’ nine steals.
“This is our identity, this is how we play,” Giacomazzi said. “ We’re about pressure. We play hard and we attack you. We’re just going to play to our identity.”
Offensively, the Hawks’ isolation game was more potent. Las Positas countered the Rams’ desperation with the individual dominance of guards Elijah Mobley and Jorren Edmonds.
Mobley scored most of his game-high 26 points on drives to the basket, breaking down the Rams defense to get to the rim. Edmonds was critical as the press-breaker against San Francisco. He scored 17 points with a team-high seven rebounds and six assists. But he gave the Rams as the Hawks’ point guard, dribbling past their traps and controlling the Hawks’ offense.
The Rams tried to bully their way back into the lead by turning up their intensity. But Las Positas’ main playmakers guided the Hawks. Breaking San Francisco’s press. Finding the right pass. Hitting timely shots in the paint. Making key free throws.
Before long, the Hawks were inviting the pressure. Their best opportunities to score came in transition.
“I feel like a lot of teams get scared of the press,” Mobley said. “But, in order to beat the press, you have to attack it. You just have to pretend it’s not there, don’t think too much. Just play basketball.”
It’s about composure, Edmonds said.
“Pressure hasn’t really been something that’s bothered me. I actually like when people run and jump because I like to look over the defense. And then our best offense is transition offense. So, if I break it with one pass, we have the twins running downhill. I just know we’re going to score.”
After Banks’ block, which was a symbol of the Hawks’ resolve this evening, Las Positas would regain momentum and never lose it. About three minutes after it, McClanahan caught the ball on the right wing and pump-faked a 3-pointer. Amos went flying in the air and McClanahan used the opening to drive to the basket for a layup. The Hawks led 59-49 with around seven minutes remaining.
Inside of five minutes, Edmonds hit another big shot. He lost Amos on a screen by Okereke and got into the lane. Jermaine Haliburton, the 6-foot-1 Rams guard, was forced to switch onto Edmonds. And he wasn’t big enough. Edmonds drove to one of his favorite spots, rose up and drilled the midrange jumper to put Las Positas ahead 68-57 with 4:46 remaining.
“A slight fade with a smaller guard, they can’t contest at all,” Edmonds said. “So I know if I get anywhere at the free throw line or in that range, it’s going up.”
Elijah Mobley did the honors of the proverbial dagger. It was his turn to take Haliburton. Starting at the top of the key, he drove right, too quickly for Haliburton. Mobley took off and soared towards the rim. He lofted it gently off the backboard for a layup.
The Hawks were up 76-62. Just over two minutes remaining. It was suddenly clear it was happening. Even Giacomazzi sprinted up the sidelines, both excited and urgent. Las Positas was going to win this.
They went into San Francisco’s house and put their feet on the couch. They’re in the class with the elites now. They’ve gone from the hunter to the hunted. The question now: Can they stay there?
TOP PHOTO: Elijah Mobley led all scorers with 26 points and gave San Francisco fits with his ball pressure and aggressive penetration. (Photo by Devin Bradshaw/ Special to the Express)
Devin Bradshaw is a Bay Area sports writer and alum of Las Positas. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @DevinBradshaw_.
