Monday, Feb. 08, 2010
Los Banos sophomore boys basketball lose nail-biter to Atwater
By John-Joel Griffiths / jgriffiths@losbañosenterprise.com
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ReprintThe Los Baños High boys sophomore basketball team fell apart during the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's Central California Conference contest against Atwater High.
The Tigers held an 11-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
However, Atwater went on a 22-10 run to close the game and escaped Los Baños with a 44-43 victory.
"The kids played hard," Los Baños head coach Greg Soliz said. "But down the stretch -- in the fourth quarter -- we didn't play no defense.
"(Atwater) scored 22 points in the fourth quarter -- half of what they scored the whole game. That was the difference.
"We turned the ball over when it counted."
Los Baños played a solid first half and went into the locker rooms leading 21-16. In the third quarter, Los Baños outscored the visiting Falcons (4-4 CCC) 12-6, which made it 33-22 heading into the fourth.
Atwater cut its deficit to four midway through the fourth quarter. A pair of free throws from Jake Martin (8 points) made it 39-33.
Atwater went on a 7-0 run and took a 40-39 lead after going 3 of 4 from the free-throw line on the last two trips.
LB point guard Tramane Moore (6 points) took the ball all the way to the hoop for two points and a not too comfortable 41-40 cushion.
Atwater sunk a pair of free throw to take the lead back, which was followed by Martin hitting two clutch free throws with 1-minute, 5-seconds left in regulation.
Atwater took the lead back with less than 30 seconds to play and Los Baños got its opportunity to win the game with 6 seconds left in regulation.
Atwater was whistled for traveling, which handed Los Baños the ball back with one final chance.
The Falcons were called for a block, which sent Trent Taylor (7 points) to the free-throw line for a 1-in-1 opportunity.
The first shot missed and Atwater hauled in the rebound.
Los Baños fell to 0-8 in the CCC.
Kyle Quint finished with 6 points and Garrett Guilford's 6 points came on two triples. Gary Dunn finished with 8 points and Javier Garcia rounded out the total with 2 points.
On Friday, Los Baños lost against Golden Valley High of Merced, 47-30.
Garcia led the team with 11 points and Guilford tallied up 6.
Golden Valley led 23-7 at the half, which was too much of a deficit for the Tigers to overcome in the final 16 minutes.
Tonight the sophomore boys will be on the road to play against Buhach Colony High at 5:45 p.m. in Atwater.
To contact John-Joel Griffiths, e-mail jgriffiths@losbañosenterprise.com or call 826-3831 ext. 565.