Vikings, Comets set for historic basketball meeting

Vikings, Comets set for historic basketball meeting

Vikings, Comets set for historic basketball meeting

Team Stats

February 25, 2016
Forget the seeds for a minute. This one is historic. 
District schools Diablo Valley and Contra Costa will meet in the women's basketball playoffs for the first time ever on Friday night at DVC. 
The No. 4 seeded Vikings (20-9), guided by coach Ramaundo Vaughn, and No. 13 Comets (21-9) will tip off at 7 p.m. in Round 2 of the Northern regional playoffs.
The winner will face either No. 12 Chabot or No. 5 Sacramento City in Round 3 on March 2. 
"It will be fun because we're in the same college district," said Contra Costa coach Paul DeBolt, who has headed the Comets program since 1986. "It's Contra Costa and DVC, two of the oldest junior colleges in the Bay Area, and we've never played in the playoffs before. Los Medanos included, I don't think we've ever had an intra-district matchup in the postseason for the women. So it's somewhat historic." 
So local bragging rights are at stake, at least for a night. 
"I think it's tremendous for the district," Vaughn said of the matchup. "From our perspective, for all that we've gone through this year and to still be the No. 4 seed, to finish tied for second in the Big 8, it's awesome." 
Vaughn, who earned his 100th career victory this season, downplays the "rivalry" factor, though.  
Even though the Comets beat DVC in the College of San Mateo tournament, DVC has defeated the Comets five out of the last six times they've met. 
"Since I've been at DVC, I kind of look at it as like we've been 'The Program,'" Vaughn said. "The (Golden State) Warriors are, what, 50-5. You're gonna lose sometimes. It happens, but I don't consider it a rivalry. We're in the same district. I have a great deal of respect for Paul, but in my mind it's not rivalry. We've beaten them handily over the years. It hasn't been a back-and-forth thing." 
Moreover, Vaughn doesn't expect his two stars, freshmen Brandy Williams and Jojuan Carrington, who combined for merely 10 points in the team's December loss to CCC, to struggle again in the rematch.  
DVC completed the Big 8 season with a 79-43 blowout of Modesto. Safiyyah Yasin and Raeona Ford combined for 26 points, complementing the play of Williams and Carrington, both all-conference picks. 
Carrington was also tabbed to the all-State team.
The Comets, who won the Bay Valley Conference title with an 11-1 record, have every reason to be excited and confident. Tynisha Adams had 26 points in a 71-63 win over Laney on Feb. 19, and Julian Robinson, Jacqie Moody, and Daizah Pounds combined for 38 points, 34 rebounds, 14 steals and 16 assists. 
"I do know that we match up pretty evenly," DeBolt said. "We've got some kids who can play and so do they. We have experienced kids. Our kids know each other (on the both teams), so I think it will be a good game. He does have outstanding bigs. Brandy's outstanding, Carrington's outstanding. He's got two solid guards … We'll see." 
Last year DVC nearly advanced to the state semifinals. The Vikings fell 69-66 to eventual state champion Chabot in Round 4 of the Regionals.