By Charlie Ucciferri

The Star: Clayton Valley senior Sarah Nelson, who stands 6-foot-4, dominated the paint for the Eagles. Nelson scored 10 points and defensively kept Northgate's offense on the perimeter.

The Turning Point: After Northgate went on a 14-6 run in the fourth quarter to cut Clayton Valley’s lead to five, the Broncos were forced to foul the Eagles in order to extend the game. Clayton Valley hit a few clutch free throws to clinch the victory.

The Quote: “(Clayton Valley) showed why they won in a competitive league this year and we wish them well in the remainder of the playoffs.” –Northgate head coach Mark Bucklew

What’s Next: Northgate’s season comes to an end at 18-9, while Clayton Valley advances to play Santa Rosa in the NCS semifinals on Wednesday

Bottom Line: Clayton Valley dominated the inside game over a Northgate team that could not match the height of the Eagles.

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With two victories over Northgate in the regular season, Clayton Valley ended Northgate’s reign at the top of the Diablo Valley Athletic League.

On Friday night, the Eagles asserted their dominance in the playoffs, defeating Northgate for the third time this year in the North Coast Section semifinals, 64-58.

An almost standing-room-only crowd huddled into Clayton Valley's gymnasium to watch a game.

The Eagles took over inside, enforced by Sarah Nelson. The 6-foot-4 senior dominated the paint, grabbing 12 rebounds and providing screen coverage for outside shots. Nelson also added 10 points for a team that scored most of its points in the paint.

Clayton Valley didn’t need to depend too heavily on its 3-point game, as the combined height of the team overwhelmed the Broncos, whose tallest player, junior center Jaimie Hearn, stands 5-foot-9. Throughout the game, Northgate couldn't counter the height disadvantage and the Eagles took advantage with layups and a strong interior defense.

“This was definitely a team effort,” Nelson said. “Right now, we’re working well as a unit and putting a special focus on defense. Overall, I think we played very well.”

At one point, the Eagles found themselves ahead by 20 points, but had their lead cut to five when Northgate went on a 14-6 run in the fourth quarter. But that was as close as the Broncos would get as the Eagles sunk their free throws in the final minutes to secure the win.

The Eagles' sophomore guard Ashley Allen led the scoring with 19 points and junior Molly Kommer added 14.

"It's like what Dick Vitale says, 'survive and advance,'" said Eagles coach Bernard Barnes. "It doesn't matter if we get a one-point ugly win, we'll take it."

Northgate's Tess Soper, in her last game for the Broncos, netted 13 for Northgate, while Kayla Galanter had 12 points in the losing effort.

“I want to congratulate our seniors,” Northgate head coach Mark Bucklew said after the game. “They’ve played for the varsity squad ever since they were freshmen and Tess [Soper] either tied or came close to the Northgate record for most varsity games played.”

Soper played her 116th game Friday, two shy of the school record of 118.

Charlie Ucciferri is Sports Editor at the Northgate High School Sentinel.