BOYS BASKETBALL: Panthers Streak to PAL Title

The Score: Burlingame 62, South City 48.

The Star: Burlingame High’s depth. No Kyle Shaffer? No problem. Stalwart post Rodrigo Puliceno (15 points) led three players in double figures as the hosts won the Peninsula Athletic League tournament for the fourth straight year. Six Panthers scored seven or more points, four hit at least one 3-pointer and Burlingame received 12 points from its reserves (compared to two for South City) on Saturday night.

The Turning Point: Burlingame’s 9-0 run to end the first half – which sent the Panthers to the locker room with a 21-point lead. Although Burlingame began the game with a 10-1 spurt and was in control throughout, South City lurked within range of a plausible comeback late in the second quarter when trailing 28-16. But Panther reserves Connor Haupt and Neil DeQuant hit a 3-pointer and a layup, respectively, to aid the surge, and South City could get no closer than 13 points the rest of the way.

The Quote: “From the beginning, we’ve always been set on the ultimate goal, which obviously we’ve never done. … We’ve watched a ton of tape of all the teams we’ll hopefully be seeing in CCS.” – Burlingame senior guard Kwesi Bailey, on the Panthers’ determination to win the program’s first Central Coast Section title and the West Catholic Athletic League powerhouses that are likely to once again be roadblocks.

What’s Next? Burlingame (24-3) awaits its placement in the CCS Division III playoffs – which will be determined at today’s seeding meeting. The Panthers, who have won 15 straight games, seem a good bet to receive a double bye and begin play in next Saturday’s quarterfinals.

The Bottom Line: The Panthers, No. 2 in , flexed their muscles throughout the PAL season – in league play and then the league’s tournament. South City (15-14) had an unexpected run to the championship game, but Burlingame had far too many weapons, even without senior post Kyle Shaffer (sprained ankle). Now the real fun begins. A perennial CCS bridesmaid, Burlingame is determined reach the summit. The Panthers have lost in the Division III final five times since 2003 – four at the hands of a WCAL opponent, including the last two years to Sacred Heart Cathedral. If Burlingame can wield its potent post duo of Puliceno and Shaffer to go with its array of perimeter threats, this may be the year the Panthers break through.

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Burlingame 62, South City 48

SSF – 8 8 15 17 – 48

B – 19 18 14 11 – 62

SSF: Nzerem 3 3-4 11, Vaioli 1 0-0 2, Johnson 5 0-1 15, Taylor 4 0-1 10, Smith 4 0-0 8, Estrada 1 0-0 2. Totals: 18 3-6 48.

B: Bailey 3 4-4 10, Grotz 3 4-4 10, D. Ferrari 2 2-2 8, Loew 2 3-3 7, Puliceno 4 6-8 15, DeQuant 3 0-0 7, F. Ferrari 1 0-0 2, Haupt 1 0-0 3. Totals: 19 19-21 62.

3-point goals: SSF: Johnson 5, Nzerem 2, Taylor 2. B: D. Ferrari 2, Puliceno, DeQuant, Haupt.

Records: Burlingame 24-3. South San Francisco 15-14.