2011-12 Season in review
3/19/12
The 2011-12 season ranks as the best in the Hawks' 6-year history. It began with a tournament title at the LPC Tip-Off Classic and ended with a respectable 3-point road playoff loss to the eventual state runner-up team.
During the interim, there were plenty of milestones that increased the excitement of Hawks basketball:
Their 22-8 overall record was their best ever, and their 7-5 mark in the Coast Conference North Division was their best conference record ever. For the first time, the Hawks finished above .500 in conference, and their 3rd-place finish was their highest to date.
They earned the #7 seed in the Northern California Regional Playoffs, their highest seed ever, which gave them their first home playoff game. The game resulted in their first post-season victory, 71-67, over Sierra College in overtime.
LPC won immeasurable respect in defeat when it traveled to Marysville for its next playoff game, against #2-seeded, and heavily favored, Yuba College. The Hawks lost 86-83 to the 49ers, who ultimately finished second in the state.
For the first time, LPC had a player named to the All-State team. Guard Dylan Heath was named honorable-mention.
Also for the first time, the Hawks had 2 players (Heath and forward Jarred Jourdan) named first-team All Coast Conference North Division. Guard Damarr Eagles was named honorable mention all-conference, the first time LPC had 3 players named all-conference.
From Nov. 26 through Jan. 4, LPC reeled off a school-record 11 consecutive victories.
Aside from winning the Tip-Off Classic, the Hawks also won tournament titles at the Skyline Classic and the Chabot Classic.
LPC finished ranked #7 in Northern California and #13 in the state.
Heath named honorable mention All-State
3/11/12
Dylan Heath added to his impressive list of honors this season by being named to the All-State's honorable mention team.
Heath, a 6-3 sophomore guard from San Ramon, becomes the first LPC player named All-State in the program's 6-year history. He averaged 14 points and shot 42 percent from the field. About half his baskets came from three-point range, where he shot 38 percent.
Three weeks ago, Heath was named to the first-team, All Coast Conference North Division squad, and earlier in the season, he won MVP honors at the LPC Tip-Off Classic and the Skyline Classic.
LPC's season ends with tough loss at Yuba
2/29/12
The best season in school history came to an end Wednesday night, but not before the Hawks put a major scare into the 2nd-seeded team in the Northern California Regional playoffs.
In a game that wasn't decided until the final minute, LPC came out on the short end of an 86-83 decision to Yuba College in a quarterfinal matchup in Marysville.
The #7-seeded Hawks, who finished their season 22-8, almost pulled off the upset, but Yuba (31-3) held on just enough to run its winning streak to 19 games. The 49ers entered the playoffs as the 3rd-ranked team in the state.
Jarred Jourdan did everything he could to will LPC to a victory, scoring a career-high 34 points on 14-of-17 shooting. Nineteen of his points came in the first half, which ended with Yuba ahead 46-39.
In the second half, Dylan Heath got hot, and he and Jourdan combined to score 23 of the Hawks' first 25 points. Heath, who finished with 16 points (all in the second half), hit two consecutive baskets to give the Hawks a 66-65 lead midway through the half.
LPC was ahead 76-71 with 6:30 remaining, but the Hawks couldn't sustain that advantage down the stretch.
Hawks look to upset Yuba tonight
2/29/12
If LPC is advance to the semifinals of the Northern California Regional playoffs, it will have to pull off a major upset tonight.
The 7th-seeded Hawks (22-7) travel to Marysvile for a 7 p.m. tip-off against powerhouse Yuba in a quarterfinal game.
Yuba, the #2 seed, enters with an overall record of 30-3 and is coming off its 18th straight victory, a 98-58 thrashing of West Hills on Feb. 25.
The 49ers, ranked third in the state and featuring four Division I players, breezed through the Bay Valley Conference with a 14-0 record and average 86.8 points a game. During their current winning streak, they are averaging 95.6 points.
Yuba's last loss came Dec. 9 against Santa Rosa, the state's fifth-ranked team.
The Hawks, ranked 13th in the state, are flying high themselves, winning their last four games and six in seven games. Their latest victory came Feb. 24, a 71-67 overtime win against Sierra, a victory that marked their first ever in the postseason.
An LPC upset would not only send the Hawks one step closer toward the state finals, but it would also avenge a 73-64 playoff loss to Yuba last year.
LPC to take on familiar playoff foe Yuba
2/25/12
One day after arguably the biggest victory in school history, the Hawks found out who they will be playing next in the Northern California Regional playoffs.
LPC (22-7), the #10 seed, will travel to Marysville to take on Yuba College at 7 p.m. Feb. 29. Yuba, the #2 seed, improved to 30-3 on Saturday night after blasting West Hills 98-58.
The quarterfinal matchup will mark the second time in two years that the Hawks and 49ers square off in the playoffs. Yuba won last year's game 73-64 in Marysville.
The LPC-Yuba winner will play the winner of the Cosumnes River-Santa Rosa game for a chance to advance to the State Final Four.
Hawks make history, beat Sierra in playoffs
2/24/12
LPC's first-ever postseason victory was one for the ages Friday night in Livermore.
A large, rollicking crowd. A game-deciding three-pointer. Overtime. And most significantly, a 71-67 Hawks win over Sierra College to advance to the Sweet 16 of the Northern California Regional playoffs.
"This feels great," Hawks Coach Tony Costello said. "Our program is moving in a positive direction. We're taking things step by step, and this was a big step for us. For a program that's only 6 years old, we're going to the Sweet 16. That's hard to do."
LPC (22-7), the region's #7 seed, advanced to take on the winner of Saturday's game between #2 Yuba (29-3) and #18 West Hills (17-12) at 7 p.m. Feb. 29. If Yuba wins, the game will be in Marysville, but if West Hills pulls off the upset, the game will be in Livermore.
Against 10th-seeded Sierra (16-12), the Hawks, who had lost both of their previous playoff games, took advantage of the largest crowd at LPC since their very first game in 2006.
"The atmosphere was great," Costello said. "It was the best atmsophere in 6 years. The crowd was a big part of this win. The players got a lot of energy from the crowd."
Damarr Eagles, whose three-pointer from the left corner with 2:25 left in the game proved to be the game-winner, added, "The crowd was amazing. It was crazy. They were yelling so loud. Without their energy, we would not have done as great."
LPC jumped out to a big lead in their first postseason home game. Sparked by consecutive three-pointers from reserves Julian Redmon, Johnnie Warlich, and Jovante Evans, the Hawks went up 20-7 nine minutes into the game. But Sierra came back to cut LPC's lead to 33-29 at halftime.
The Wolverines took their first lead at 47-46 midway through the second half. The Hawks regained the lead, but eventually found themselves trailing 62-61 with 31.9 seconds left in regulation.
That's when Dylan Heath missed a three-pointer, and Jarred Jourdan, who was unstoppable inside, scoring 25 points, fouled out with 11.9 seconds remaining. Sierra converted only 1 of 2 foul shots before LPC called timeout.
With Sierra pressuring the perimeter, Eagles found Devonae Leach wide open inside, and Leach's easy basket at 4.2 sent the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Sierra was up 66-65 when Eagles buried his big three.
"That three felt great," said Eagles, who finished with 12 points. "It was huge because it gave us a boost to finish the game off."
Leach, who also scored 12 points, came up a big blocked shot with 1:46 remaining in overtime, then grabbed a huge rebound with 7.1 seconds left. He was immediately fouled and netted 1 of 2 free throws to make it 69-66.
Eagles took a foul with 2.6 seconds left, and after making the first foul shot, Sierra purposely missed the second. However, the strategy didn't work as Cedric Young grabbed the rebound. Young was fouled, then iced the historic victory by sinking both free throws with 1.7 seconds remaining.
Heath, Jourdan named 1st-team all-conference
2/21/12
Dylan Heath and Jarred Jourdan have been named to the first-team, All Coast Conference North Division squad.
Heading into Friday's Northern California Regional playoff game against Sierra College, Heath, a 6-3 sophomore guard from San Ramon, is averaging 14.8 points on 43 percent shooting from the floor. He is also shooting 39 percent from three-point range and averages 5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
Earlier this season, Heath won MVP honors at the Tip-Off Classic and the Skyline Classic.
Jourdan, a 6-5 freshman forward from Union City, is averaging 14.3 points on 44 percent shooting and grabs 6.3 rebounds a game. Jourdan has claimed all-tournament honors at the Tip-Off Classic and the Chabot Classic.
Meanwhile, sophomore guard Damarr Eagles was selected to the conference's honorable mention team. Eagles averaged 5.5 points, 3 assists and shot 72 percent from the foul line. More importantly, perhaps, Eagles, who, like Jourdan, was selected all-tournament at the Tip-Off and Chabot Classics, directed the Hawks' offense from the point.
Friday's game against Sierra begins at 7 p.m. at LPC.
Hawks to host Sierra in playoff opener Friday
2/20/12
For the first time in its six-year history, LPC will host a postseason game as the Hawks take on Sierra College at 7 p.m. Friday in the first round of the Northern California Regional playoffs.
After concluding the regular season with a 21-7 record and a third-place finish in the Coast Conference North Division, LPC was rewarded with a #7 seed, its highest seeding ever. The Hawks will be making their third appearance in the playoffs and their second in a row.
Last season as a #10 seed (its highest seed to that point), LPC fell 73-64 to Yuba in Marysville. Ironically, if the Hawks get past Sierra, they would most likely play Yuba again, Feb. 29 in Marysville.
LPC, seeking its first postseason win in school history, will face a Sierra squad that went 16-11 overall and 8-6 in the Big 8 Conference, good for third place. The Wolverines are the 10th seed in the playoffs.
LPC shocks Ohlone in finale thriller
2/18/12
The Hawks will be flying into next week's Northern California Regional playoffs after a stunning, come-from-behind 71-66 victory over Ohlone in their regular-season finale Saturday.
Finishing Coast Conference North Division play with three consecutive victories and five wins in their last six games, LPC is seeking its highest playoff seeding ever and possibly its first postseason home game.
The Hawks, ranked #16 in the state, finished 21-7 overall and with Saturday's win, they wound up 7-5 in the conference, good for third place. Ohlone (15-11 overall, #10 in the state) finished in second place at 8-4.
Entering the game, the Renegades, also playing for a favorable seeding in the playoffs, looked to extend their dominance over LPC. Ohlone had never lost to the Hawks, winning each of the previous 11 matchups.
For the first 29 minutes, win number 12 in a row seemed inevitable for Ohlone. The Renegades led 45-22 at halftime and 55-36 before the Hawks woke up with 11:30 remaining, going on a 9-0 run. Roy Rissas's banked-in three-pointer from straightaway highlighted the run, and Jarred Jourdan's steal and layup capped it.
Ohlone stopped the run with a three-pointer at 7:52, but Julian Redmon followed with a three of his own, Jourdan scored on another layup, and Devonae Leach hit two foul shots, and all of a sudden, LPC trailed only 58-54 with 6:46 left.
After the teams traded buckets, Ohlone scored 6 of the game's next 7 points to regain control at 66-57 at 4:25. However, those were the final points the Renegades would score the rest of the game.
Leach started the final, decisive comeback with a free throw, then Jourdan scored inside off a nice assist from Damarr Eagles, Leach stepped outside to nail a three, and Jourdan scored inside cutting Ohlone's lead to 66-65 with 1:37 remaining.
Redmon, playing his second consecutive strong game, then hit the most dramatic shot of the day, a three-pointer from the left baseline to give the Hawks their first lead of the game at 68-66 with 55 seconds left.
Clinging to that lead 19 seconds later, LPC was called for a disputed 5-second inbounds violation, giving the ball back to Ohlone. But the Renegades missed a three, Jourdan rebounded, got fouled and hit two free throws at 0:15. Rissas wrapped up the scoring by making 1 of 2 foul shots at 0:02.
Jourdan scored 18 points in the second half en route to a game-high 26 points. Leach, making 9 free throws, finished with 16 points, and Redmon made 5 three-pointers to finish with 15.
LPC shoots its way past Chabot 85-67
2/15/12
Putting on a shooting clinic Wednesday night, the Hawks notched their 20th overall victory by beating Chabot 85-67 in their final home game of the regular season.
LPC, winners of 4 of its past 5 games, improved to 20-7 and 6-5 in the Coast Conference North Division. In the process, the Hawks moved into a 3rd-place tie with Foothill in the conference standings.
With next week's Northern California playoffs looming, LPC closes out the regular season Saturday with a 1 p.m. game against second-place Ohlone (15-10, 8-3) in Fremont.
The Hawks beat Chabot (15-13, 4-7) for the third time in three tries this season by shooting 56 percent from the field. Roy Rissas, drilling jumpers from all over the floor, paced LPC with 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting.
The Hawks led 46-35 after a first half that saw Dylan Heath make 6 of 7 field goals, including 5 of 6 three-pointers, en route to 18 points. Julian Redmon then scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half, including 2 three-pointers during a 10-0 LPC spurt that put the Hawks up 62-39 with 12:52 remaining and effectively finished off the Gladiators.
Redmon's scoring outburst was reminiscent of his performance during the nonconference season and a welcome sight for LPC heading into a probable postseason appearance. Prior to Wednesday, Redmon averaged only 4.1 points in conference play.
Also scoring in double-figures for LPC was Devonae Leach with 11 points. Leach added 10 rebounds.
Hawks beat Foothill in key conference tilt
2/10/12
LPC kept its playoff hopes alive Friday night by earning a clutch 59-54 Coast Conference North Division victory over Foothill in Livermore.
The Hawks (19-7 overall) evened their conference record at 5-5 and moved within a half-game of third-place Foothill (18-9, 6-5) with two games remaining in the regular season.
Dylan Heath led LPC with 19 points, while Roy Rissas added 15, and Cedric Young had 11.
The Hawks led 32-25 at halftime then stretched their lead to 41-31 five minutes into the second half. But Foothill went on a 12-2 run to pull even at 43-43. The Owls took their first lead of the game at 50-49 with 4:45 remaining.
LPC's defense then kept Foothill scoreless for the next 4 minutes, forcing an Owls' shot-clock violation, turnover, and a couple of missed shots. During that span, Jarred Jourdan scored inside, Rissas hit 2 free throws, and Demarr Eagles made a free throw before Rissas capped the decisive spurt with a dunk off an assist from Devonae Leach.
Foothill finally scored with 21.2 seconds left, cutting the Hawks' advantage to 56-52, but Heath sealed the victory with 3 free throws in the game's final seconds.
LPC's final home game of the regular season will take place Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. against Chabot.
LPC, Foothill in Coaches vs. Cancer game
2/8/12
The Hawks will square off with Foothill on Friday night in the second annual Coaches vs. Cancer game. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. in Livermore.
The game is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in support of the fight against breast cancer, so please wear pink. LPC's women's team will play Foothill's women in the first half of the doubleheader at 5 p.m.
View more information about Friday night's event.
No. 1 CCSF drubs Hawks by 20
2/3/12
City College of San Francisco showed LPC once again why it is the top-ranked team in the state, beating the visiting Hawks 90-70 in a Coast Conference North Division game.
The loss snapped LPC's modest two-game winning streak and dropped its record to 18-7 overall and 4-5 in the conference. Jarred Jourdan scored 28 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for the Hawks.
CCSF, which beat the Hawks 82-63 on Jan. 11, is unbeaten in the conference at 8-0. The Rams are 22-2 overall.
LPC's next game is Feb. 10 against Foothill in Livermore.
LPC avoids upset, beats Cañada
2/1/12
The Hawks survived a second upset bid by Cañada on Wednesday night, holding on for a 54-50 Coast Conference North Division victory in Livermore.
LPC (18-6, 4-4), which lost to Cañada 80-71 on Jan. 6 -- the Colts' only conference victory this season -- shot poorly from the field, but connected on 20 of 21 free throws. Jarred Jourdan made 8 of 9 from the foul line en route to scoring a game-high 20 points to lead the Hawks.
Cañada (5-14, 1-7) trailed the entire game before pulling even at 50-50 with 54 seconds remaining. Devonae Leach then rebounded a Jourdan miss inside and was fouled with 31.5 seconds left.
Leach made both free throws, and on the ensuing possession, Cañada ran the clock down to 0:18 and called timeout. Needing a defensive stop to win the game, LPC forced the Colts into a missed shot with 5 seconds left.
However, Cañada ran down the rebound, but a desperation shot was off the mark. Leach corralled the rebound, got fouled and made both free throws with 3 tenths of a second remaining to finish off the Colts.
The Hawks' next game is Friday at 7 p.m. at City College of San Francisco (21-2, 7-0), the No. 1-ranked team in the state.
Jourdan scores 23 as Hawks beat Skyline
1/27/12
LPC began the second half of the Coast Conference North Division season Friday the same way it began the first half, with a victory over Skyline.
Jarred Jourdan scored a game-high 23 points to lead the visiting Hawks over Skyline 79-66.
Dylan Heath added 16 points, Cedric Young had 12, and Roy Rissas had 11 as LPC (17-6, 3-4) bounced back from a tough loss to Ohlone on Wednesday.
The Hawks' next game is Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. against Cañada in Livermore.
Hawks featured in hoops blog
1/27/12
NorCal HS & College Basketball Central features an article about this year's Hawks team. Read Las Positas is a TEAM.
LPC loses heartbreaker at the buzzer
1/25/12
The Hawks barely missed a chance to beat Ohlone for the first time ever Wednesday night.
A 3-pointer by Cedric Young bounced off the rim as time expired, and visiting Ohlone escaped with a 63-62 Coast Conference North Division victory.
The loss, LPC's 11th straight to the Renegades all time, dropped the Hawks to 16-6 overall and 2-4 in the conference.
After being tied 32-32 at halftime, the lead seesawed most of the second half. Ohlone (11-9, 4-2) led 59-58 with 5:03 remaining before Dylan Heath scored on an out-of-bounds play to put the Hawks up by one.
Ohlone scored the next four points, but Young's steal and ensuing two free throws brought LPC within one again at 63-62 with 1:27 left. Ohlone missed at the other end, but got an offensive rebound and called timeout.
The Renegades missed again, but got another offensive rebound. This time, though, Demarr Eagles stole the ball at 0:24, and LPC called timeout with 15.5 seconds remaining.
The Hawks worked the ball around, and Young found himself open on the left wing for the potential game-winner. However, he misfired at 0:01, and Ohlone had the victory.
Young and Heath both had 13 points to pace the Hawks. Devonae Leach added 11.
LPC's next game is at 5 p.m. Friday against Skyline in San Bruno.
Hawks score big win over Chabot
1/20/12
Dylan Heath scored a game-high 23 points Friday night to lead the Hawks to a much-needed victory, 69-56 over Chabot in a Coast Conference North Division game in Hayward.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for LPC (16-5, 2-3), its longest losing streak of the season.
Three of Heath's six field goals were 3-pointers, but more importantly, he hit 8 of 9 free throw attempts. Entering the game, Heath was shooting only 61 percent from the line.
Devonae Leach also had a strong game, scoring 16 points, 9 of which came on 3-pointers.
The Hawks, who beat Chabot (13-9, 2-3) for the second time this season, close out the first half of the conference season Jan. 25 when they host Ohlone (10-8, 3-1).
Ohlone has won four of its past five games entering Saturday's contest against City College of San Francisco. LPC has never beaten Ohlone, losing all 10 of its meetings the past five seasons.
Foothill hands LPC third straight loss
1/18/12
The Hawks dropped their third straight game Wednesday night, falling 73-63 to Foothill in a Coast Conference North Division game in Los Altos Hills.
Jarred Jourdan led all scorers with 21 points. Cedric Young added 12 points for LPC (15-5, 1-3), which led 32-28 at halftime. Foothill improved to 15-6, 3-2.
The Hawks will try to get back to their winning ways Friday when they take on Chabot (13-8, 2-2) at 7 p.m. in Hayward. The teams have met once this season, in the championship game of the Tip-Off Classic, which was won by LPC 75-72.
CCSF scores easy win over Hawks
1/11/12
Facing its toughest opponent of the season, LPC went down quietly Wednesday night, losing 82-63 to City College of San Francisco in a Coast Conference North Division game in Livermore.
The loss was the Hawks' first at home after seven straight home-court victories. LPC (15-4, 1-2, #11 in Northern California) also lost for the second game in a row after 11 consecutive wins.
Defending state champion CCSF (#3 in the state, #2 in Northern California) improved to 16-2 overall and 2-0 in the conference.
LPC actually led most of the first half before the Rams took their first lead of the game at 21-20 with 5:38 before halftime. CCSF eventually went into the locker room with a 34-25 halftime advantage.
The Rams built their lead to 47-31 early in the second half before a mini-spurt got the Hawks back into the game at 52-42 with 13:17 left. From there, though, CCSF went on an 18-4 run and won going away.
Cedric Young led LPC with 18 points, while Jarred Jourdan had 17 and Roy Rissas added 12.
The Hawks have a week off before playing Foothill at 5 p.m. Jan. 18 in Los Altos Hills.
Cañada snaps LPC's winning streak at 11
1/6/12
Despite a career-high 34 points from Dylan Heath, the Hawks' team-record 11-game winning streak came to an end Friday after losing to Cañada 80-71 in a Coast Conference North Division game in Redwood City.
With the loss, LPC, ranked #6 in Northern California and #10 in the state, fell to 15-3 overall and 1-1 in conference. Cañada, meanwhile, improved to 5-8 and 1-1.
Devonae Leach added 16 points for the Hawks.
Starting a new win streak in their next game won't be easy for the Hawks because they face defending state and conference champion City College of San Francisco (15-2, 1-0). That game will be played at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 in Livermore.
Hawks beat Skyline in conference opener
1/4/12
LPC's Coast Conference North Division season began Wednesday the same way its nonconference season ended last week -- with another victory.
Jarred Jourdan scored 25 points as the Hawks opened conference play with their 11th straight victory, defeating Skyline 86-73 in Livermore.
The Hawks (15-2, 1-0, #6 in Northern California and #10 in the state) also got 17 points from Devonae Leach and 14 from Dylan Heath in dropping the pesky Trojans to 6-8.
Jourdan and Leach combined for 26 points in the first half as LPC raced to a 49-39 halftime advantage. Skyline stayed within striking distance most of the second half and pulled with four at 68-64 with 6:11 remaining.
It was 75-69 two minutes later when Julian Redmon dropped in a jump hook, and Leach scored inside to put the Hawks up by 10. The Trojans came back with consecutive buckets, but Jourdan put the game away with back-to-back three-point plays. The second of those plays came off an assist from Wayne Tucker, who ran down an errant Skyline pass in the back court before feeding Jourdan.
LPC's next game is Friday at 7 p.m. against Cañada in Redwood City.
LPC claims another Chabot Classic championship
12/30/11
LPC wrapped up a successful nonconference season Friday by beating Contra Costa 62-50 in the championship game of the Chabot Classic in Hayward.
With the victory, the Hawks added to their impressive list of milestones this season:
- Ten consecutive victories, a team record.
- A sterling 14-2 record.
- Three tournament championships.
- A second straight Chabot Classic title and the fourth in five years.
Contra Costa (9-5) entered with a 5-game winning streak, but was no match for LPC. 
The Hawks led 30-20 at halftime and built their lead to 45-27 with 12:20 remaining in the game on a layup by tournament MVP Devonae Leach off a nifty assist from Demarr Eagles. The Comets never threatened after that.
Eagles was named to the all-tournament team, along with Jarred Jourdan, who finished with a team-high 16 points. Julian Redmon added 14 points, and Dylan Heath had 13.
With the nonconference season behind them, the Hawks begin Coast Conference North Division play Jan. 4 against Skyline at 7 p.m. in Livermore.
LPC sets team record, faces Contra Costa for title
12/29/11
The Hawks won their team-record 9th straight game Thursday, storming back from a 5-point halftime deficit to beat De Anza 75-59 Thursday in the semifinals of the Chabot Classic in Hayward.
LPC (13-2) will take on Contra Costa at 4 p.m. Friday in an attempt to win its second consecutive Chabot Classic championship. The Hawks have won 3 of the past 4 Classic titles.
Contra Costa (9-4), riding its own winning streak of 5 games, defeated host Chabot 64-56 in the other semifinal.
Against De Anza (7-7), LPC trailed 41-36 at halftime before outscoring the Dons 39-18 in the second half.
Dylan Heath led the Hawks with 18 points, and Devonae Leach added 13. Jarred Jourdan, who missed the previous four games with an injury, returned to score 12 points, and Julian Redmon contributed 10.
LPC is gunning for its third tournament title of the season, already winning the Tip-Off Classic and the Skyline Classic.
Hawks open Chabot tourney with 8th straight win
12/28/11
Devonae Leach scored a team-high 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds Wednesday to lead LPC to a 66-62 victory over College of Alameda in the first round of the Chabot Classic in Hayward.
The victory not only improved the Hawks' record to 12-2, but it also matched the team record for consecutive victories at 8. The Hawks won 8 straight nonconference games in both 2007 and 2008.
Victory number 9 could come Thursday when LPC plays De Anza (7-6) in a semifinal game at 5 p.m. De Anza beat Napa Valley 76-61 in another first-round game.
The other semifinal pits host Chabot (10-5), a 74-54 winner over Merritt, against the winner of Wednesday's late game between Los Medanos and Contra Costa.
Against Alameda (5-7), LPC also received double-digit scoring from Dylan Heath (14 points) and Cedric Young (11).
Hot-shooting LPC drills San Jose City College
12/21/11
The Hawks were raining threes down on San Jose City College on Wednesday night.
LPC connected on 14 three-point shots on its way to an 83-60 nonconference victory in Livermore. The win was the Hawks' seventh in a row and improved their record to 11-2.
LPC, ranked #14 in the state and #7 in Northern California, got 17 points from Julian Redmon and 12 from Dylan Heath to drop the Jaguars to 5-8.
Five of Redmon's six field goals came from behind the arc, while all of Heath's baskets were threes. Wayne Tucker and Devonae Leach both added 11 points, including one three-pointer each.
Nine of the Hawks' threes came in the first half, which ended with LPC ahead 46-26. SJCC never got closer than within 17 points in the second half. LPC built its biggest lead of the game at 27 points (77-50) after Tucker hit a long jumper and Heath followed with his final three with 7:48 remaining.
The Hawks have a week off before their next game, a 1 p.m. matchup Dec. 28 against College of Alameda in the first round of the Chabot Classic in Hayward.
LPC downs Gavilan for sixth straight win
12/17/11
The Hawks had their patience tested Saturday, but in the end, they had enough to notch their sixth victory in a row.
Playing against a deliberate Gavilan team, LPC (10-2) broke open a close game late before sprinting away with a 57-37 nonconference win in Livermore.
Gavilan (1-9), milking the shot clock on each possession, trailed 27-19 at halftime and by only 7 points at 44-37 with 6:15 remaining. The Rams, however, would not score the rest of the game.
LPC, meanwhile, got 6 points from Devonae Leach as it finished the contest with a 13-0 spurt. Wayne Tucker hit 4 free throws down the stretch, and Julian Redmon added a three-pointer.
Dylan Heath led the Hawks with 11 points, 9 in the first half. Leach scored all 10 of his points in the second half.
LPC, which is 5-0 at home this season, hosts San Jose City College at 7 p.m. Dec. 21.
LPC beats Marin for Skyline Classic championship
12/11/11
Behind 27 points from Dylan Heath, the Hawks won their second tournament title of the season Sunday, defeating Marin 67-64 to claim the Skyline Classic championship in San Bruno.
Heath, who also dished out 5 assists, was named the tourney's most valuable player. Heath also claimed MVP honors when the Hawks won the Tip-Off Classic earlier this season.
Julian Redmon, who helped put LPC (9-2) into the championship game with 22 points Saturday, was named to the all-tournament team.
Playing without injured forward Jarred Jourdan, the Hawks trailed Marin (6-7) by 9 points with eight minutes remaining before coming back to win. Devonae Leach added 11 points for LPC, and Damarr Eagles had 8.
With the victory, LPC (9-2) ran its season-high winning streak to 5 games and avenged an overtime loss to Marin last month. The win also ended two years of frustration in this tournament as the Hawks lost in the championship game in 2009 and 2010.
LPC next plays Dec. 17 against Gavilan in a 3 p.m. game in Livermore.
Hawks top Cabrillo, play for tournament title
12/10/11
LPC will play for the Skyline Classic championship Sunday after beating Cabrillo 65-62 in a semifinal game Saturday in San Bruno.
The Hawks (8-2), winners of four straight games, face Marin for the tourney title at 4 p.m. Marin (6-6) defeated Reedly 69-63 in the other semifinal.
Julian Redmon scored a season-high 22 points to lead the Hawks over Cabrillo (7-2). All 11 of Redmon's shot attempts were three-pointers, and he made 7 of them.
Jordan Jourdan added 12 points, and Dylan Heath had 10.
Sunday's game is a rematch of the Nov. 18 semifinal of the Ed Boyle Classic in Mendocino. Marin won that game, 84-80 in overtime.
LPC is seeking its first Skyline Classic title since 2007. The Hawks have reached the championship game each of the past two years, but lost both times to Cosumnes River.
LPC beats West Valley 81-62 in tourney opener
12/9/11
For the third time in three tries this season, the Hawks won their first-round tournament game, this time defeating West Valley 81-62 Friday in the Skyline Classic in San Bruno.
Dylan Heath led LPC (7-2) with 16 points and 8 assists, Julian Redmon added 14 points, and Devonae Leach had 11. LPC shot 52 percent, including 45 percent (14 of 31) from three-point range.
The Hawks take on Cabrillo (7-1), which defeated Napa Valley 55-53, in a semifinal game at 5 p.m. Saturday. Marin (5-6) takes on Reedley (4-2) in the other semifinal.
Hawks win 4th straight at home, beating Delta
12/2/11
LPC remained undefeated at home Friday night after posting a 61-51 victory over San Joaquin Delta in a non-conference game in Livermore.
Playing on their home floor for the first time since winning the Tip-Off Classic on Nov. 12, the Hawks got 18 points from Jarred Jourdan to improve their overall record to 6-2 and their home record to 4-0.
LPC led 28-21 at halftime, but Delta (1-4) came out strong in the second half and took a 36-34 lead with 14:32 remaining. It was 38-37 Delta a few minutes later before the Hawks scored 7 straight points, 5 by Devonae Leach, to recapture the lead at 44-40.
With 7 minutes remaining, LPC put the game away by going on an 11-2 run sparked by Jourdan and Leach to build a 57-45 advantage. Leach finished with 13 points.
The Hawks next play in the Skyline Classic in San Bruno on Dec. 9-11. Their first-round opponent will be West Valley.
Strong 2nd half lifts LPC over Hartnell
11/26/11
The Hawks stormed back from an 11-point halftime deficit Saturday to stun previously unbeaten Hartnell 75-54 in a nonconference game in Salinas.
The victory snapped a 2-game losing streak for LPC (5-2). Hartnell fell to 5-1.
Roy Rissas led the Hawks with a career-high 16 points. Freshman Julian Redmon added a season-high 13 points, while Jarred Jourdan had 11. Rissas also grabbed 8 rebounds for LPC, which trailed 34-22 at halftime.
The Hawks' next game is Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. against San Joaquin Delta in Livermore.
LPC falls to Modesto for 2nd straight loss
11/19/11
The Hawks finished the Ed Boyle Classic at Mendocino College with a loss Saturday, falling to Modesto 81-72 in the third-place game in Ukiah.
Cedric Young had 17 points and 9 rebounds for LPC (4-2), and Dylan Heath scored 16 points. Jarred Jourdan added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
As a team, the Hawks shot just 35 percent from the floor.
LPC next plays Nov. 26 at 5 pm against Hartnell in Salinas.
Hawks go OT again, but lose first game
11/18/11
For the second straight game, regulation time wasn't enough for LPC in the Ed Boyle Classic at Mendocino College in Ukiah. This time, however, things didn't go the Hawks' way.
Despite a career-high 21 points from Damarr Eagles, LPC fell 84-80 in overtime to College of Marin in a semifinal game Friday.
The Hawks' first loss of the season after four consecutive wins puts them in Saturday's 3 p.m. third-place game against Modesto (1-1), which lost to Mendocino 82-63 in the other semifinal.
Jordan Jourdan and Cedric Young had 17 and 13 points, respectively, before both fouling out. Dylan Heath added 10 points for LPC.
Marin (4-2) and Mendocino (4-1) play in the championship game at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Hawks go OT to beat Cosumnes River
11/17/11
Playing its first road game of the season, LPC got 23 points from Dylan Heath and defeated Cosumnes River 79-73 in overtime Thursday in the opening round of the Ed Boyle Classic at Mendocino College in Ukiah.
The Hawks (4-0) advance to take on Marin at 5 p.m. Friday in a semifinal game. Marin (3-2) defeated Siskiyous 74-69 in the first round.
In other first-round games, host Mendocino (3-1) beat Butte 71-67, and Modesto (1-0) took care of Cuesta 106-96.
After going 0-14 from the floor against Mendocino on Nov. 11, Heath has caught fire in his last two games, averaging 24 points, making 19 of 31 points. He hit 5 of 8 three-pointers against Cosumnes after nailing 4 of 6 in the previous game against Chabot.
As a team, the Hawks hit 10 threes Thursday, with Julian Redmon and Jovante Evans connecting on two each, and Johnnie Warlich hitting one. Jarred Jourdan finished with 14 points, Cedric Young had 10, and Roy Rissas added 9.
Fresh off its Tip-Off Classic title, LPC entered this week ranked #8 in the state coaches poll.
Heath leads LPC to Tip-Off Classic title
11/12/11
Tournament MVP Dylan Heath scored 25 points Saturday as the Hawks held off Chabot 75-72 in the championship game of the Tip-Off Classic in Livermore.
The Tip-Off title is LPC's third in the tourney's 6-year history, and it avenges a loss to Chabot in last year's championship game. The Gladiators entered as the two-time defending champions.
For a few moments toward the end of Saturday's game, it appeared as if Chabot might make it three titles in a row. The Hawks (3-0) led 68-52 with 8 minutes remaining before Chabot (2-1) scored 18 of the game's next 21 points to move within 71-70 with 1:25 left.
However, Heath scored on a reverse layup at 1:07, and neither team scored again until Cedric Young (16 points) made 1 of 2 free throws with 15.7 seconds left. After a Chabot bucket, Jarred Jourdan split a pair of free throws for a 75-72 lead with 9.2 seconds remaining.
LPC took a foul instead allowing the Gladiators a chance for a game-tying 3-point shot, and the strategy paid off as Chabot missed the front end of a 1-and-1, the Hawks rebounded, and ran out the clock.
The Hawks began the game with a 12-2 spurt and eventually built their advantage to 14 points midway through the second half. Heath scored 16 points in the first half, including 12 on 3-point shots, as LPC settled for a 40-34 halftime lead.
Young, Jourdan, and teammate Damarr Eagles were each named to the all-tournament team.
Mendocino won the third-place game by defeating Contra Costa 70-67.
LPC returns to action Nov. 17 when it travels to Ukiah to participate in the Ed Boyle Classic at Mendocino. The Hawks take on Cosumnes River in the first round.
LPC Tip-Off Classic
Champion - LPC
2nd Place - Chabot
3rd Place - Mendocino
Consolation - De Anza
MVP - Dylan Heath (LPC)
All-Tournament Team:
Damarr Eagles (LPC)
Jarred Jourdan (LPC)
Cedric Young (LPC)
Jameal York (Chabot)
Ladon Singleton (Chabot)
Damarius Jones (Chabot)
Nick Hodge (Mendocino)
Hawks win, play for Tip-Off title against Chabot
11/11/11
Jarred Jourdan scored 16 points, and Cedric Young and Devonae Leach had big second halves to propel LPC into the championship game of the Tip-Off Classic with a 75-57 semifinal victory over Mendocino on Friday in Livermore.
The Hawks (2-0) will face Chabot in Saturday's 5 p.m. title game. The Gladiators beat Contra Costa 79-72 in the other semifinal.
LPC will be seeking its third Tip-Off Classic title in the tournament's 6-year history. The Hawks won the initial tourney championship in 2006, then again in 2008. Chabot has won the title the past two years, including last year against the Hawks.
"This is big for us," said Jourdan, a freshman forward. "We want to win our own tournament. It would be a good jump-start to our season."
Young, who scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half, added, "It's big. This is our home court. We've got to protect it."
The Hawks led Mendocino 29-18 at halftime and held a comfortable lead most of the second half. They led 65-56 late in the game before punctuating the victory in the final 2 minutes with a 3-pointer from Leach, a basket by Young, and a three from Damarr Eagles.
Leach finished with 9 points, eight coming in the second half. Eagles added 9 for the game.
Mendocino and Contra Costa play in Saturday's third-place game at 3 p.m. There will be no consolation game as De Anza, which beat Columbia 91-88 Friday, will win by forfeit over Travis Air Force Base, which defeated Butte 68-63.
LPC opens season with victory over Columbia
11/10/11
Cedric Young scored a game-high 19 points Thursday, leading the Hawks to a season-opening 100-75 victory over Columbia in the first round of the LPC Tip-Off Classic in Livermore.
With the win, LPC advances to Friday's 5 p.m. semifinal against Mendocino, a 78-61 winner over De Anza.
Friday's 7 p.m. semifinal features Contra Costa, which beat Butte 67-60, against two-time defending champion Chabot, which defeated Travis Air Force Base 89-79.
In Friday's consolation bracket, De Anza plays Columbia at 1 p.m., and Butte takes on Travis at 3.
Young, a sophomore forward, scored 12 of his 19 points in the first half as LPC opened up a 48-33 halftime lead. Dylan Heath and Jarred Jourdan finished the game with 13 points each for the Hawks. Teammates Julian Redmon and Johnnie Warlich added 9 apiece in their LPC debuts.
The Hawks outscored Columbia 33-9 from three-point range and 26-16 from the free throw line.
Hawks 'Tip-Off' season Thursday against Columbia
11/10/11
The 2011-12 Las Positas College men's basketball team begins play Nov. 10 in the annual LPC Tip-Off Classic in Livermore. The eight-team tournament, featuring the Hawks, Butte, Columbia, De Anza, Contra Costa, Mendocino, Travis Air Force Base, and defending champion Chabot, runs through Nov. 12.
LPC takes on Columbia in the first round at 2 p.m. Other first-round games pit De Anza against Mendocino at 4 p.m., Butte against Contra Costa at 6 p.m., and Chabot against Travis AFB at 8 p.m.
Last year, the Hawks advanced to the championship game before falling to Chabot 74-66.
Other highlights of the 2011-12 season include LPC's participation in the Mendocino Tournament in Ukiah (Nov. 17-19), the Skyline Tournament in San Bruno (Dec. 9-11), and the Chabot Classic in Hayward (Dec. 28-30).
The Hawks open Coast Conference North Division play Jan. 4 at home against Skyline. LPC will play three home games that will be part of a women's-men's doubleheader: against defending conference and state champion CCSF (Jan. 11), Foothill (Feb. 10), and Chabot (Feb. 15).
Welcome to the Hawks' web site!
Las Positas College's basketball team, which capped a winning season in 2010-11 with a playoff appearance, looks to achieve bigger and better things in 2011-12.
The Hawks are spending the offseason retooling after their sophomore-dominated squad compiled a 16-13 overall record last season. After finishing the non-conference season with 12 wins and only 5 losses, LPC struggled in the rugged Coast Conference North Division.
However, big non-conference wins, coupled with a high strength of schedule in conference, earned the Hawks their second playoff berth in their first five years of existence. The season ended with a first-round Northern Regional playoff loss to Yuba.
During the upcoming season, LPC will be aiming to improve in the Coast Conference, make the playoffs again, and this time, make a significant run in the playoffs.