Piedmont High School’s girls basketball team closed the regular season on an eight-game winning streak, helping to clinch a berth in the North Coast Section Open Division playoffs. The Highlanders gained the fifth seed and will play at No. 4 Cardinal Newman on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.
On Feb. 12, Piedmont defeated Alameda in Binks Gymnasium, 74-60. Jenelle Solis had 21 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals to lead the way. Andrea Martin had another double-double, with 11 points and 14 rebounds along with three assists, three blocked shots and two steals. Taylor White had 11 points, 14 rebounds, three rebounds and three assists. Solis and Martin are freshmen and White is a sophomore.
Senior Briana Webb had 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. Savannah Dennig, also a freshman, had eight rebounds and three assists to go along with two points.
Juliana Johnson led the Hornets with 17 points. Desiree Shoblo and Jennalyn Apodaca each had 15 points.
The score was 16-16 after one quarter but Piedmont then began building a lead. The Highlanders led 37-31 at half and 55-43 after three.
On Feb. 14, Piedmont closed the season with a 72-24 win over Castro Valley at home. Martin scored 24 points to lead the Highlanders, also grabbing 12 rebounds, blocking six shots and committing five steals. Shakila Zuberi had a big senior night with 14 points and five rebounds. Dennig had 11 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Cleo Afsar had eight points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals. White had 16 rebounds, seven steals, six assists and six points.
Victoria Feliciano led the Trojans with nine points. Naomi Chew had seven.
It was an easy victory for Piedmont as it took a 17-9 lead after one quarter and built it to 31-12 at halftime. Martin scored 10 of her points in the first quarter.
Piedmont finished 22-4 overall and 7-1 in West Alameda County Conference Foothill division play, tied for first with Bishop O’Dowd. The teams split their meetings.