Big Games and Star Players

Some games with implications on league titles are on the high school basketball schedule this week.

Before we take a look at those, Patch would like to highlight some of the best performances in boys and girls basketball from last week.

Boys Spotlight Player of the Week

Dublin High School's junior center Eric Nielsen had a monster game last Monday against Campolindo High. Even though the Gaels lost, 70-67, in a battle for first place, Nielsen scored 20 points and snared 22 rebounds.

Dublin High did win its next two games last week, improving their record to 15-6 overall and 6-1 in league. Nielsen had six points and 11 rebounds against Acalanes and two points and seven rebounds against Dougherty Valley.

"Eric is extremely coachable and strives to improve every day," said his coach, Tom Costello. "He is a hard worker in the classroom and is well-respected by his teachers and classmates."

Girls Spotlight Player of the Week

Northgate High junior guard Meghan Blough paced her team to an important 64-56 victory last Tuesday against Clayton Valley High. The win gave the Broncos a 6-0 league record and sole possession of first place. In that game, Blough scored 28 points. She made 9 of 12 shots inside the three-point line and 2 of 5 shots from outside the arc. Her coach, Dan Middleton, said Blough brought her "all around game" to an important match.

Other notable performances

Clayton Valley High senior guard Karly Menez poured in 25 points in her team's 69-41 victory Friday night over Berean Christian High.

Monte Vista High junior Jenn Casper contributed 22 points to her team's 59-56 win over Livermore High on Friday night. The close win gave the Mustangs a 7-1 league record as they head into their showdown tonight against Carondelet High.

Foothill High senior guard Madison Craig continues to have an all-star season. Craig led her team to two victories last week. On Friday, she had 22 points, seven rebounds and four steals against Granada High. On Tuesday, she scored 18 points and had two rebounds and six steals against Amador Valley High.

Berean Christian High senior Tyler Charrette scored 28 points Tuesday night in his team's 73-63 loss to Clayton Valley High.

Concord High senior Marcus Walton contributed 22 points in his team's 72-65 win Thursday night over Clayton Valley High.

Castro Valley High senior Dawson Johnson knocked down 22 points in his team's 65-45 win over San Lorenzo High.

Big Games This Week

Both the boys and girls titles are on the line Tuesday night in the East Bay Athletic League.

Monte Vista High's boys team travels to Concord to take on De La Salle High. Both have 7-1 league records. De La Salle's only league loss this season was to Monte Vista earlier this month.

The Mustang girls team is playing at home against Carondelet High. Monte Vista owns a 7-1 league record. Their only loss was against the Cougars, who sport an 8-0 league mark.

On Friday night, the Northgate High boys basketball team plays at Concord High. The Broncos have a 4-2 league record while Concord is 5-2.

The Dublin High boys team is in Walnut Creek to battle Las Lomas High. The Gaels own a 6-1 league mark while Las Lomas is 4-3.

Castro Valley High's girls team plays at Hayward High. The Trojans are 7-2 in league play while Hayward is 8-2.