7th Grade Boys B Tournament

The Scots capped off their season by taking home the third place trophy at the Moraga-Orinda 7th Grade B Basketball Tournament on March 17th.

First round: Piedmont 46 - Orinda 45

With seconds left in overtime and the Scots trailing by one point to the Orinda Royal, Liam Schindler played the hero as he calmly stepped to the line and sank two free throws to win the game for the Scots, 46-45. This storybook finish was made possible due to the Scots’ thrilling comeback from a nine-point 3rd quarter deficit to tie the game in regulation. Tosh Meyers had his best game of the season scoring 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Joey Moyer (2 rebounds, 5 steals, 1 assist) added 11 points and Ethan Leon had 4 points and 3 rebounds. Chase Betta (6 points, 5 rebounds, 2, steals, 2 assists) and Paul Kim (3 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals) led a very aggressive defense, with Luke Smith (4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist), Liam Schindler (4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal), Chris Rexrode, and Hunter Abel also contributing with strong play.

Second round: Piedmont 23 - Stanley 49
The Scots fought hard against the tournament’s 1st seed, Stanley Intermediate School, but never really found their rhythm and came up short, losing 49-23. Liam Schindler played well and scored 4 points with 5 rebounds and 1 steal. Chris Rexrode added 2 points in the effort. Paul Kim had 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist; Luke Smith had 3 points and 2 steals; and Hunter Abel and Chase Betta (3 points, 1 assist) each had 4 rebounds. Tosh Meyers (2 points, 1 rebound), Andrew Liu (1 rebound), Joey Moyer (4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal), and Ethan Leon (2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal) played hard throughout the game.

Third round: Piedmont 47 - Orinda 40
Through a strange scheduling quirk, the Scots found themselves playing a rematch with the Orinda Royal immediately after the Stanley loss, winning 47-40. Tired from their previous effort, the Scots fell behind early and trailed 29-25 at the half. However a strong 2nd half effort led by Joey Moyer, with 14 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal for the game; Liam Schindler with a season-high 10 points and 4 rebounds; Tosh Meyers with 7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 assist; Chase Betta with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals, and 1 assist; and Paul Kim with 10 rebounds and a season-high 4 assists, gave the Scots the victory and a place in the Consolation game. Luke Smith (4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal) helped anchor a strong defense, and Andrew Liu (1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 assist), Hunter Abel (2 points), Ethan Leon (2 points, 4 rebounds), and Chris Rexrode with 1 rebound helped the tired Scots get to the finish line with a victory.

Third Place Game: Piedmont 44 - Orinda Silver 35

Although it was not their most dominant win of the season, the Scots captured 3rd place in the tournament by playing what may have been their best game, beating the Orinda Silver 44-35. The final result was never in doubt as the Scots controlled the action on both ends of the floor. Joey Moyer was on fire, scoring 23 points (including three 3-pointers) to go with 2 steals. Orinda had no answer for him or Tosh Meyers who ended up with 11 points (including a deep 3-pointer), 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 assists. Luke Smith had 6 points, 1 rebound, a season-high 6 steals, and 1 assist, and Andrew Liu had 3 rebounds and 1 steal. Chase Betta (4 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, 1 assist), Ethan Leon (6 rebounds), and Hunter Abel (4 rebounds, 2 steals) controlled the boards throughout the game. Paul Kim (3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist), Liam Schindler (3 rebounds), and Chris Rexrode added to the overall stellar team effort.

8th Grade B Basketball Tournament

The Scots' first game of the tournament was an exciting rematch against the Joaquin Moraga Marauders. Nick Docter had several blocks and rebounds, including a buzzer-beater at half-time to take the lead, 14 -12. Michael Tam scored off of steals by Grant Gadbois and Spencer Kim. The Scots were up by 2 with 11 minutes left in the game when Moraga made a three-pointer to take the lead. Although the Scots fought hard to regain the lead, the Marauders took a determined stand and took home their first victory against the Scots this season. Final score: Piedmont 37 - JM 42.

In their second game of the tournament, the Scots took the early lead against the King Cobras. The Cobras answered with a three-pointer at the buzzer to come within 5 at half-time. Spencer Kim led in scoring with 9, with support from Kevin Wu and Michael Tam with 5, Grant Gadbois, Corey Collier, Miles Lee and Joseph Powell with 4, and Preston Tung, Chris Fetterolf and Nick Docter also getting on the board. Ben Wilson added to the defensive effort as the Scots took a commanding lead to win the game, Piedmont 42 - King 33.

Piedmont went on to the Consolation round, where they were defeated by Dorris-Eaton. Coach Josh Dozier concluded his second year of coaching with Piedmont Middle School, continuing to build on the boys' skills and instilling a strong sense of teamwork which was evidenced in the unselfish play exhibited at the tournament. The Scots players and parents all wish to acknowledge Coach Dozier's patience, time and effort in guiding the team through a challenging season. We hope the season was as memorable for you as it was for all of us.

Thank you, Coach!

8th Grade Scots v. Joaquin Moraga Intermediate

Piedmont 53 - JM 47
In their final league game, the Scots got a slow start against the Joaquin Moraga Marauders, trailing by 7 at the end of the first quarter. The Scots turned up the heat in the second quarter with their full-court press, which led to baskets by Preston Tung, Michael Tam and Miles Lee, bringing the Scots within one point. Consistent rebounding by Nick Docter and Spencer Kim kept the momentum going for Piedmont, bringing the half-time score to Piedmont 20, JM 22. The teams traded the lead repeatedly, with Grant Gadbois, Kevin Wu and Russell Jang driving to the basket to score. The Scots highlighted their offensive rebounding skills in one particular sequence, when each player on the floor -- Tung, Kim, Lee, Jang and Corey Collier -- all got the rebound to give the team multiple shot attempts and got a roar of applause from the crowd. The Scots sealed the deal in the final minutes, taking the lead and winning the game, 53 - 47. High-scorers were Tung with 11 points, and Kim and Docter with 10 points each.

7th Grade Boys Scots v. El Sobrante

Piedmont 29 - El Sobrante 40

The 7th grade Scots ended their regular season by losing 40-29 to El Sobrante Middle School despite outscoring their opponent 9-3 in the 4th quarter. Liam Schindler had 8 points and 5 rebounds to lead the Scots. Ethan Leon had 6 points and 7 rebounds, Joey Moyer (2 rebounds, 1 steal) scored 10 points; Luke Smith (4 rebounds, 2 steals) had 3 assists; Chase Betta (2 points, 5 rebounds) had 9 steals; and Andrew Liu (2 points) played strong, aggressive defense. Tosh Meyers (1 point, 7 rebounds, 2 assists), Paul Kim (a season-high 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist), and Chris Rexrode played hard at both ends of the court.

7th Grade Boys Scots v. Fifers

Scots 43 - Fifers 37

In a thrilling rematch, the 7th grade Scots prevailed 43-37 over the 7th grade Fifers, despite Andrew Strauch’s miracle, half-court shot that beat the buzzer to end the game. Ryan Castle, with 12 points and 13 rebounds for the game, led the Fifers’ valiant 4th quarter comeback. Strauch scored 9 points and Peter Christopoulos added 5 points (including a deep 3-pointer) for the Fifers. Joey Moyer led the Scots with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 5 steals, and 1 assist, and Chase Betta had 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 assist. Hunter Abel (4 rebounds) and Paul Kim (3 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 assists) each had 6 points. Chris Rexrode had 2 points and 1 rebound, and Tosh Meyers (2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal) kept the offense moving by dishing out 3 assists. Liam Schindler (6 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 assists), Ethan Leon (4 points, 4 rebounds), Andrew Liu (2 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal), and Luke Smith (2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals) rounded out a great effort by all the Scots.

7th Grade Boys Basketball Highlanders v. MLK

Piedmont 26 - MLK 47

The 7th Grade Highlanders played the King Middle School Cobras on March 1 at King. The Highlanders kept the score close in the opening minutes, but the Cobras countered with some 3-point shots towards the end of the first quarter and jumped out to a 13-7 lead. In the second quarter the teams traded baskets and they went into halftime with the Cobras leading 21-12. Despite the Highlanders tough defense inside, the Cobras got the hot hand from long range in the third quarter and pulled ahead 37-18. The Highlanders could not overcome the large lead and lost 47-26. The Highlanders were lead by Julian Cortez, Drew Bonnin and Dylan McBirney with 6 points each.

7th Grade Boys Scots Basketball

7th Grade Boys Scots v. Moraga

Piedmont 26 - Moraga 34
The 7th grade Scots played their best quarter of the season, outscoring Moraga Middle School 16-1 in the 4th quarter, before losing 34-26. Chase Betta led the comeback with 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals in the 4th quarter alone. Tosh Meyers had 6 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists for the game and Michael Pacult added 6 points and 9 rebounds. Joey Moyer scored 2 points and had 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Luke Smith (1 rebound, 4 steals), Liam Schindler (5 rebounds), and Andrew Liu also scored. Paul Kim (7 rebounds), Ethan Leon (2 rebounds), Chris Rexrode, and Hunter Abel played strong on offense and defense.

7th Grade Boys Scots v. Willard

Piedmont 34 - Willard 44
The 7th grade Scots played hard for four quarters against Willard Middle School but came up short, losing 44-34. Tosh Meyers with 10 points and 1 assist, Joey Moyer with 8 points and 2 assists, and Luke Smith with 4 points and 3 assists led the offense. Chase Betta had a strong game with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 7 steals, and 2 assists. Meyers (2 rebounds, 6 steals), Moyer (1 rebound, 1 steal), Smith (2 rebounds, 2 steals), Paul Kim (9 rebounds, 2 steals), Liam Schindler (3 points, 5 rebounds), Hunter Abel (5 rebounds, 1 steal), Andrew Liu (3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist), Ethan Leon (5 rebounds), and Chris Rexrode all contributed to a balanced defense and offensive attack.

7th Grade Boys Highlanders vs. Walnut Creek

Piedmont 25 - WCI 46
The 7th grade boys Highlander basketball team went up against the Walnut Creek Intermediate School on Tuesday, February 23, at Morrison Gym. Piedmont started strong with baskets by Julian Cortez and Dylan McBirney, but WCI countered strong defense and kept the Highlander scoreless for the rest of the quarter, taking a 14-4 lead. In the second quarter, Quinn Burnett had the hot hand scoring 5 points in the quarter, including a long 3. Piedmont outscored MCI and the teams went into the half with MCI leading 21-12. In the third quarter, WCI again pressed hard on defense and took a commanding lead at the end of the 3rd quarter, 37 to 17. In the final quarter Piedmont broke the hard press, but it was too late as WCI came away with a 46 to 25 victory. Drew Bonnin and Nathan Krueger led the defensive charge with 3 steals each. Leading on rebounds were Nathaniel Lowhurst and Xavier Prospero with 7 each.

7th Grade Boys Scots v. Fifers

On February 10, the 7th grade Scots and the 7th grade Fifers played a thrilling game that went down to the wire before the Scots prevailed, winning 43-38. The Fifers led throughout most of the second half, but a furious comeback in the last few minutes enabled the Scots to come out on top. All players on both teams played hard and really enjoyed the chance to compete against their friends and classmates. Luke Smith was a standout for the Scots scoring 11 points with 4 assists. Tosh Meyers and Joey Moyer each scored 11 points as well. Moyer added 8 steals, Paul Kim had 8 rebounds and 4 steals, and Liam Schindler had 5 rebounds to go with 2 assists. A rematch is scheduled for March 2.

8th Grade Boys Scots v. Walnut Creek

Piedmont 27 – WCI 44
High scorer Sam Greenwall helped keep the Scots within striking distance for the first half, but the Scots ultimately suffered a loss to Walnut Creek Intermediate School. Greenwall scored 12 points, with support from Spencer Kim with 6 points, Corey Collier with 5 points, and Joseph Powell with 4 points.