O’Dowd coach has reasons to smile on and off the court

It wasn’t nearly perfect, Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland boys basketball coach Lou Richie said late Saturday night.

But the Dragons’ 52-51 overtime home win Saturday over St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda was part of a nearly perfect weekend.

“Many of my Clemson brethren are in town and Monday night we’re going to bring home a national title,” said Richie, who averaged 3.5 points and 4.2 assists in two seasons (1992-94) for the Tigers. “I will be at the (football) game at Levi’s Stadium and plan to be on the sideline, celebrating the victory, rain or shine.