Despite falling short on the scoreboard, 62-83, the Piedmont High School boys varsity basketball team demonstrated strong teamwork, keeping their overall record at a solid 13-7.
Facing a twenty-point deficit that could have demoralized a lesser squad, the Highlanders refuse to quit. Head coach Ben Spencer couldn’t have been prouder of his team’s response to adversity.
“Our boys played hard, top to bottom, everybody who went in,” Spencer said. “We got down 20. We easily could have folded and lost by thirty.”
That competitive fire was on full display as PHS clawed back into contention, outscoring the San Francisco University High School’s Red Devils by three points in the third quarter and matching them bucket-for-bucket in Q4.
Senior captain Dillon Casey led the charge at point guard, handling pressure and keeping his teammates engaged.
“I think I played all right. Just kept positive throughout the game,” Casey said. “I think we’ve actually played a lot better as a team, just moving the ball.”
Coach Spencer singled out Casey’s leadership: “Dillon Casey as our point guard, taking the ball most of the time all the way down the court, was awesome.”
The offensive attack featured strong contributions from multiple players. Senior Cash Panico delivered what Spencer called a “fantastic” performance, showing aggression on offense while excelling defensively all over the court.
Junior Beach Lorin also made his mark offensively, netting almost twenty points and earning praise from both his coach and his captain. “Shout out Beach Lorin. He’s a very good player,” Casey said.
The loss doesn’t diminish what has already been an impressive season for the Highlanders. With thirteen wins already in the books, PHS has already almost surpassed last year’s entire win total with six games remaining in their schedule.
“It’s been pretty successful,” Spencer noted. “We’ve had a really tough schedule, and I think we easily could be 17-and-3.”
Close losses have been the difference between good and great this year, with five defeats coming in games where PHS held fourth-quarter leads of five points or more. For Spencer and his squad, the focus now shifts to finishing strong and learning to close out tight contests. Both Casey and Spencer identified similar areas for improvement: better press-breaking, improved perimeter defense, and stronger rebounding fundamentals.
“You can’t win a game for one person,” Casey emphasized. “Basketball is a five-person game.”
With that team-first mentality and a winning record intact, Piedmont basketball has plenty of reasons for optimism as the season continues. Their next game will be here at PHS this Wednesday against Castro Valley.
