“(My players) know there’s one more game left in this season then we move on to the do-or-die season.” ■■■ Dublin’s tough non-league schedule features solid wins against Sacramento and Monte VistaDanville, but it also includes key losses to Newark Memorial (twice) and Serra-San Mateo — two teams favored to make a run at a state title since back-to-back champ Archbishop Mitty-San Jose will assuredly compete in the new Open Division against the state’s top teams. So, what better way to win NCS than against a team that’s had their number so far? “I hope it gets to that point,” Costello said referring to a possible NCS championship showdown against top-seed Newark Memorial. “That means we’re playing pretty well. But we’re just trying to take it one at a time. It’s cliche but… we’ve got 26 goals during the season. We accomplished 21 of ‘em, didn’t accomplish five. So that’s a pretty good ratio.” To make a deep postseason run, the Gaels will need the best of McGlaston and Andrews. McGlaston fell on his back going up for a dunk and getting undercut against Miramonte. He left the game but came back and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Miramonte jumped out to a 51-36 halftime lead thanks to Dublin 6-8 big man Eric Nielsen getting in early foul trouble, McGlaston exiting the game with his back injury and lights-out shooting by the Matadors. Add two Gael technical fouls that adversely affected what little momentum they had, and it was the perfect storm for Miramonte to hand Dublin its first DFAL loss. Paced by Chaminade-bound senior Kiran Shastri’s 31 points, Miramonte made 22 of 23 free throws and connected on nine 3-pointers; they had an answer for every Dublin comeback even when the Gaels cut the deficit to 76-71 with 4:06 left in the game. “We thought we didn’t give enough effort in the first half,” Andrews said. “We just wanted to come out in the second half and push.” McGlaston knows this will only motivate him and his teammates going forward. “It should pull us together more because we’ll have a little bit more fire under us.” Despite losing its first game in nearly six weeks, Costello liked how his team battled throughout. “Little mistakes that we were making in previous years, we’re not making (this season),” Costello said. “Even despite our bad start tonight we made a push. That’s a sign of a veteran team.” ✪
20
SportStars™
February 21, 2013
Score Digital Content: Scan SSM With LAYAR
Jamir Andrews splits the Miramonte defense on a drive to the basket. Andrews and Jojo McGlaston may comprise one of the most talented backcourts in the East Bay. Dublin is hoping the two seniors can help lift it to an NCS title.
Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com