Font ResizeIt was one of those shots that basketball coaches hate ... until it goes in.
Las Positas College men's coach Tony Costello went through such emotional gymnastics during Saturday's stunning 71-66 come-from-behind win over Ohlone to conclude the Coast Conference-North Division season.
As the visiting Hawks were roaring back from a 23-point halftime deficit, Roy Rissas (San Ramon Valley) banked in a 3-pointer from the top of the key.
"It was one of those, 'No! No! No!' and 'Whoa! Good shot,' " a chuckling Costello said of Rissas' big banker.
Leading the Hawks' surge was Julian Redmon (Dublin), who scored all 15 of his points in the second half on five 3-pointers. His 3-pointer from the left corner gave Las Positas its first lead at 68-66.
Jarred Jourdan (Logan) had 18 of his game-high 26 points in the second half. Dylan Heath (California) and Jourdan on Tuesday were named to the all Coast-North first team.
The Hawks (21-7), who finished third in the Coast-North, were rewarded with their highest seeding ever in the postseason and their first home playoff game. No. 7 Las Positas will host No. 10 Sierra (16-11) at 7 p.m. Friday.
"I really think we're playing as well as we've played all year right now," Costello said.
MEN'S PLAYOFFS: The NorCal men's basketball playoffs begin Wednesday with No. 17 Contra Costa (20-9) at No. 16 Mendocino (18-11) in a play-in game.
"We're trying to catch our wind here in the playoffs and hopefully make a run," Diablo Valley coach Steve Coccimiglio said.
Vikings sophomore guard Brian Goins (Mt. Diablo), ranked 16th in the state averaging 18.7 points a game, has had a "phenomenal year," Coccimiglio said, "especially since every team completely focuses on stopping him. He's still been the motor that makes our team go."
Other Vikings standouts are Ronnie Baker (Rodriguez-Vallejo, 13.1 ppg) and Tyerelle Phillips (Monte Vista, 11.2 ppg), who has added scoring and rebounding punch.
WOMEN'S PLAYOFFS: No. 4 seed Ohlone (23-5), No. 9 Laney (24-6) and No. 12 Chabot (13-11) are the East Bay representatives in the NorCal playoffs.
The Renegades, led by San Jose State-bound Chereese Thomas (Dublin) and top scorer Tina Dang (17.5 ppg), will host Redwoods on Friday. The Gladiators are at No. 5 Santa Rosa on Saturday. Laney is at No. 8 Cosumnes River on Friday.
PIONEERS REPORT: The Cal State East Bay men's and women's basketball teams cling to playoff hopes in the final week of the California Collegiate Athletic Association regular season.
The Pioneers women's squad (11-15, 8-12 CCAA) threw a scare into the nation's No. 1-ranked team, UC San Diego, in a 75-57 loss last week.
"I wanted to have double-digit wins in the regular season and double-digit wins in the CCAA, and make the playoffs," said Pioneers women's coach Suzy Barcomb, whose team travels to Cal State Stanislaus and Chico State. "We're right there on all three goals. I think we've really enjoyed a great second half in the CCAA despite all the injuries and the illnesses.
"We're only playing with nine kids, so it's been a lot of challenges, but the team has really stepped up."
The Pioneer men (10-14, 8-12 CCAA), riding a three-game winning streak, will need a win over host Stanislaus (14-10, 10-10) on Thursday to remain in the playoff hunt. The Pioneers travel to Chico State on Friday. Mark Samuels (Berkeley), the CCAA player of the week (Feb. 13-19), and Roshun Wynne, an Oakland native who scored 20 in his home finale last week, lead the Pioneers.
Contact Matt Schwab at mschwab@bayareanewsgroup.com.
