Piedmont High School’s boys basketball team romped to an easy first round victory in the North Coast Section Division 4 championships, beating visiting Ukiah, 87-49 on Feb. 19.
The top-seeded Highlanders advanced to the second round on Feb. 22 where they will host No. 9 Jesse Bethel-Vallejo at Binks Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Piedmont got off to a quick start, going up 21-3 in the first quarter. However, the Wildcats rallied and cut the lead to 11 early in the second quarter. The Highlanders then regained control and pushed the lead up to 41-23 at halftime.
Johnny Lee (25) defends Adrian Gonzalez (00) 
Lucian Fang Ring (white, left) and Dillon Casey (12) press Carter Rhodes (10)
That despite foul trouble for three Piedmont players. Ravi Silverberg, P.J. Brayer and Cash Panico each picked up three fouls in the first half.
The Highlanders ran away with it in the second half, going up 66-37 after three quarters and cruising home.
Dillon Casey, playing on what coach Ben Spencer called an “80 percent ankle,” led Piedmont with 24 points. Silverberg had 18 and Beach Lorin added 11. Lucian Fang Ring added 10 points. Silverberg had just three points at halftime, thanks to his foul trouble.
Ravi Silverberg passes the ball 
Piedmont’s Cash Panico (white, L-R) Beach Lorin and P.J. Brayer close in on Ryan Todd (42)
Kaleo Olson led Ukiah with 13 points.
The 87 points were the most Piedmont scored in game since a 91-44 win over Capuchino on Jan. 27.
The Highlanders are now 13-14 on the season. The Wildcats finished 8-21.