Hawks rebound with authority: Las Positas sweeps Skyline, CSM
By Matt Schwab
The Las Positas College men's basketball team bounced back impressively from its only loss in Coast-North play with back-to-back wins last week.
The Hawks (15-5, 5-1), who enter the week in second place, a game behind state No. 1 CCSF, reached the century mark in scoring for third time in their past six games with a 100-85 win over host College of San Mateo on Jan. 24. This after the determined Hawks rallied to beat Skyline 79-71 in overtime on Jan. 22 in Livermore.
Michael Hayes was brilliant against CSM with a massive double-double of 30 points and 12 rebounds, along with four assists, a steal and a block. He was 10 of 10 from the free throw line and 10 of 17 from the field. The Hawks were dead-eye shooters overall, converting 81.3% from the charity stripe, 52.4% from the floor and 47.1% from 3-point range.
Sophomore Wesley Burse, who has having a tremendous season, was 6 of 10 from 3-point range and finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocks. Lee Jones Jr. was also on his game with 22 points, four assists and two steals, going 10 of 13 from three free throw line and 6 of 9 from the field. Andrew Mork also had 13 points and six assists.
Against Skyline, Las Positas showed its true mettle coming off a tough loss at district-rival Chabot. The Hawks overcame a seven-point deficit at halftime and forced a 62-62 tie at the end of regulation. Las Positas outscored Skyline 17-9 in overtime to prevail. Burse led the charges with a double-double of 21 points (8-11 from the field; 4 of 6 3-point range) and 10 rebounds.
Hayes also had a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds to go with three steals, three assists and a block. Lee Jones Jr. (12 points) was 6 of 6 from the free throw line. Hayes is ranked in the state in rebounding at 11.1 a game and 15th in scoring at 20.3 points a game.
A LOOK AHEAD: The stage is now set for the Hawks' showdown at CCSF (20-0, 6-0) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29. All the Rams have done is score at least 100 points in 10 of their last 15 games. The matchup figures to be a memorable, high-octane battle in San Francisco.