Mustangs dominate Wildcats to claim tourney title

<p>The opponent for the St. Vincent High School boys team in the championship game of the Dave Castleberry North Central League II Tournament was a surprise — the result was not. </p><p>Calistoga shocked league champion and No. 1 seed Rincon Valley Christian, 51-44, in the tournament semifinals to earn a spot against the Mustangs in the championship shootout. </p><p>Although they struggled a bit down the stretch, the Mustangs pretty much dominated the gutsy and energetic Wildcats, winning in their home DeCarli gym, 59-48.</p><p>Playing before a politely riotous crowd that included a bus load of vocal Calistoga rooters, the Mustangs scored the game's first six points and never trailed, although the Wildcats made the trip worthwhile for their fans with a fourth-period rally that made things interesting and elongated the game, but never seriously threatened the Mustangs.</p><p>St. Vincent's 6-foot, 3-inch junior Zach Pierson was the game's dominant player, scoring seemingly at will and mostly limiting the Wildcats to one shot per possession. He finished with a game-high 24 points and a bundle of rebounds. Teammates Mitch Sheppard and Evan Knight added nine each to lead balanced support. </p><p>Dakota Bohn led Calistoga with 14.</p><p>For complete game details see Thursday's Petaluma Argus-Courier.</p>