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I thought our press and zone really slowed them down in the second quarter.

— Hornet Head Coach Allan Nakamura

Ekene Ikeme

Chris Luisto prepares to shoot a free throw in last Thursday's game against Kennedy High.

The Alameda Hornets' men's basketball team was able to end 2011 on a high note with a 45-31 victory over Kennedy High School of Richmond, last Thursday at the Hornet's Nest.

Alameda got off to a quick start in the afternoon game, leading 5-0 in the opening minutes after a 3- pointer from forward Zac Alfers. The quick start forced the Eagles of Kennedy to play a 3-2 zone on defense, which led to good results. The Eagles forced the Hornets to turn the ball over twice out of three consecutive possessions. On the second turnover, guard Charles Johnson of Kennedy stole the ball, raced down the court and was fouled while attempting a lay-up. He made two free throws giving the Eagles a 7-5 lead; their first of the game, midway through the first quarter. The rest of the first quarter went back-and-forth and ended with Kennedy leading 13-12.

The Hornets' defense picked up in the second quarter after switching from man-to-man defense to a 2-3 zone defense. The Hornets held the Eagles to just four points in the quarter.

"We were trying to put a press on them in the first half," said Alameda head basketball coach Allan Nakamura. "I thought our press and zone really slowed them down in the second quarter. I thought our guys were doing a good job of rotating to the open man."

The Hornets, however, weren't able to capitalize much from the poor play of the Eagles as they turned the ball over and missed opened shots. However, after a Johnson 3-pointer tied the game at 17, shots started to fall for the Hornets as Alfers and guard Julian Lofton both hit 3-pointers in the last two minutes to give the Hornets a 23-17 lead at the half.

"I thought we could've been more active on the offensive end," said Nakamura. "We tried to get guys open, but our movement without the ball wasn't as good as I want it to be."

The third quarter played out much like the second; a lot of Kennedy turnovers and not many points. The Hornets held the Eagles to just seven points in the third and scored 11 of their own. Keelan Doss scored on a fast break lay-up to give the Hornets a 33-22 lead — their largest lead of the game at that point — with 2:13 left in the quarter. The Hornets led 34-24 at the end of the third quarter.

The Hornets' defense stopped Kennedy's hopes of a fourth quarter comeback as they held the Eagles scoreless for the first six minutes of the quarter. During that span, the Hornets' ball movement led to two wide open lay-ups by guard Ivan Linh. The Hornets went on a 9-0 run before Johnson hit another 3-pointer to make it 43-27 with less than two minutes left in the game. The Eagles added a couple meaningless baskets late to bring the final score to 45-31.

"Overall, I thought the game was a little bit ugly," said Nakamura. "They were a little undermanned and it showed in the game. In the second half we did a little better with our ball movement, but we can still improve."

The win brings the Hornets' record to 8-5.

The Hornets faced Berkeley High in an Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League (ACCAL) contest Tuesday and will play De Anza High of Richmond on Friday.

Other basketball scores

The Encinal Jets lost to Lincoln High School of San Francisco: 53-52 last Wednesday.

The St. Joseph Notre Dame Pilots defeated Bay High School of San Francisco: 90-50 last Tuesday. The Pilots then defeated the California School of the Deaf team: 62-38 last Wednesday. The Pilots then defeated Lick-Wilmerding High School of San Francisco: 49-38 last Friday.