Gauchos Top Dons In Quarterfinals Play

The El Cerrito High School basketball team downed the Acalanes Dons 51-49 Friday night at home in the quarterfinal round of the North Coast Sectional tournament despite a gallant last-minute surge by the visiting Dons.

It was the second squeaker in a row for the varsity boys Gauchos, who defeated Berkeley High 45-44 with a basket by Tyrell Alcorn in the final nine seconds of the game on Feb. 17. The victory over Berkeley gave El Cerrito a 12-0 record in the ACCAL (Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League).

The loss ended the 2012 season for the Dons, most of whom were openly emotional about their performance and loss -- last game for several departing senior players.