San Ramon Valley Advances in Boys Basketball Playoffs

San Ramon Valley's boys basketball team, favored in Friday's second-round playoff matchup with James Logan, didn't play like the better team on paper -- until it mattered most.

The Wolves' late second-half charge was enough to win a nail biter 59-56, escaping a late scare when a desperation three-pointer from James Logan Colts' guard Jonathan Masulit hit the back of the rim as time expired.

"They showed a lot of guts and heart," said San Ramon Valley coach John Raynor. "Our kids played hard." 

With the second round win, the Wolves advance to a Division I North Coast Section semifinal matchup with De La Salle.

Logan head coach Chris Fortenberry was proud of his team Friday. After all, the Colts almost pulled of one of the biggest upsets in the postseason, and missed pushing a game against an elite squad to overtime by a matter of inches.

San Ramon Valley faced a six-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, but cut it to one. Then, the Wolves' Chris McNealy drove to the basket for a lay-up and drew the foul, hitting the free throw to grab the lead. McNealy would do the same on the Wolves' next possession to make it a four-point game. He finished with 19 points after a strong second half, and Tad Fisher notched 20.

"I think in the second, third quarter I was nervous because the score was getting close and we're not usually in close games," McNealy said. "… We're not just going to walk to a NCS championship game. We've just got to keep working hard."

The game never favored either side, as Logan's Terrell Gates sank a three-pointer from the top of the key with time expiring in the first quarter to give the Colts a one-point advantage, and he sank another triple 10 seconds into the second quarter.

Then with six minutes left in the half, the Wolves went on an 18-5 run and went into the locker room with a 34-30 halftime lead.

Fortenberry thought his team had a chance down the stretch but that a couple of turnovers cost his team dearly.

"It's a learning experience for my youngsters returning next year," he said. "You can't make turnovers against a good team like that late in the game."

Terrell Gates led Logan with 22 points, and Malik Livingston notched 19.

"I couldn't ask for more," Fortenberry said about Gates. "He played defense, he played better. He did everything."