HAYWARD — There was nothing easy about this game. Not in the first quarter when California surged to a quick 10-point lead. Not in the fourth quarter after Moreau Catholic opened a double-digit advantage itself.When the final second rolled off the clock Tuesday night, second-seeded Moreau survived 71-69 to advance to the North Coast Section Division I final on Saturday against Clayton Valley Charter at Dublin High.
Moreau, aiming to avoid a loss in this round for the second consecutive season, trailed the entire first half and well into the third quarter against a talented opponent before a flurry of blocks, dunks and clutch shooting turned the tide. Cal tried again for the last shot of the period but lost the ball out of bounds with 1.5 seconds left.
But as the visitors tried to bring the ball up the court, Kevin Chapman stepped into a passing lane to make the game-saving steal for Moreau.