Capping off a busy week, Escalon’s varsity basketball boys dismantled visiting Hilmar by a 71-27 final for a successful Homecoming Game in the EHS gym on Friday, Jan. 19.
It was the third game of the week for the squad, putting all three in the win column, as they improved to 4-2 through the first half of the Trans-Valley League season.
Here is a look at all three games.
Tuesday, Jan. 16 the varsity boys were home to host Livingston and took control with a 25-14 run in the first quarter. They never looked back on the way to an 83-46 win.
“We controlled this game from the start, and continued to extend our lead throughout the game. We scored a regulation game season high in points, shooting the ball really well,” said Escalon head coach Nate Bartelink. “If it wasn’t for Livingston’s hot three-point shooting, the scoreboard would have been even more lopsided.”
The Cougars were able to get some court time for all 15 players, nine of them getting on the score sheet.
“Sam Jimenez and Logan Huebner played at a really high level in the first half before resting most of the second half. Ethan Garza and Ben Ferreira also had good games in the backcourt,” Bartelink explained. “Our post players were productive; Ryan Lewis, Ryan Murphy and Frank Barrera, 18 points combined. It was a good overall performance.”
Sam Jimenez paced the team with 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists; Logan Huebner had 15 points, eight rebounds; Ethan Garza added 14 points; Ben Ferreira, 12 points; and Frank Richard Barrera had 10 points.
On the road Thursday at Hughson, the varsity boys earned a 76-48 win, keyed by a strong 24-2 run in the opening quarter.
“Hughson scored the first two points of the game on two free-throws and then we went on an absolute dominating run. We outscored them 28-0 the rest of the first quarter and into the second quarter, and cruised to a road victory in a gym that is usually difficult to play in,” Bartelink said.
Eleven players for Escalon scored, another solid team victory that featured plenty of three-point shots and turnovers created by the Cougars against the Huskies.
“Sam, Ethan and Logan set the tone on the offensive end early,” Bartelink said, with Ben Ferreira, Ryan Murphy, Ben Fletcher, and Jacob Augusto also providing some productive minutes.
Ferreira was the leading scorer with 16 points; Jimenez had 11 points, all in the first quarter and Garza had nine points, all in the first half. Murphy had eight points and six rebounds; Huebner had seven points and four steals; Fletcher and Augusto had six points apiece.
Friday wrapped up the week with a Homecoming victory over Hilmar, the Cougars upended the Yellowjackets by a 71-27 final, including a 28-10 run in the first quarter.
“This was a nice ending to a week where we played well against teams that we were clearly better than. I’m happy that we didn’t have any letdowns and play down to our competition,” noted Bartelink. “We forced a lot of early turnovers, which allowed us to have a lot of transition points.”
Leading 52-16 at the half, it was a game where multiple players had an opportunity to get on the court and on the board.
“We called off the dogs late in the second quarter, stopped pressing and trapping, and got everyone some good playing time,” said the coach. “Thirteen of the players scored, which is always a good thing. There were really good performances up and down the roster. It was great to see the gym full; there was great energy from the crowd. Hopefully that’ll continue with all of the big games that we have coming up. We need our crowd to show up to enhance our home court advantage.”
Huebner turned in another solid effort with 13 points and five rebounds; Jimenez added 12 points; Garza, 10 points; Fletcher, 10 points; Lewis, seven points and six rebounds.
“We finish the week 3-0; finish the first half of TVL play 4-2. Ripon Christian and Ripon tied for first at 5-1. We are tied with Riverbank at 4-2. We play each of those three teams the next three games,” said Bartelink. “Obviously each one will be huge, starting with Riverbank this coming Friday (Jan. 26). We control our own destiny.”
The varsity record stands at 18-4 overall; 4-2 in TVL and the Cougars are currently ranked number three in the MaxPreps CIF SJS D4 rankings.
After a bye on Wednesday, Jan. 24, the team will be home to open up the second half of league play, hosting Riverbank on Friday, Jan. 26. It will also be observed as Youth Basketball Night in the Cougar gym. All Escalon Unified School District kindergarten through eighth grade students wearing their youth basketball jersey – from El Portal, Escalon Elite or Escalon Recreation – will receive free admission to the game.
JV/Freshmen
Against Livingston, it was a 52-41 win for the JV boys and they kept it rolling with a 58-43 road win at Hughson on Jan. 18. The JV boys opened up a trio of games for Homecoming on Friday but fell to Hilmar by a hard fought 61-54 final. The varsity girls then took the court and earned a victory prior to the varsity boys rounding out the Homecoming schedule.
For the freshmen, they took a 50-28 win off the home court Tuesday, Jan. 16 against Livingston and won a low scoring 34-29 decision at Hughson on Thursday.
“The freshman boys have strung together a three game winning streak,” head coach Steve Largent said of going on a strong run. “Tuesday against the Wolves we jumped out to a 9-0 lead and never looked back. Great minutes off the bench from Drew Hagan, Zach Langum, Logan Castellanos, Noah Martin, Jaecy Aldasoro and Johnathon Fragoso really sparked us.”
The frosh team also got solid post play from Curtis Thomas and Cole Fox, said Largent, that helped secure the league win.
Thursday on the road, the coach said the squad “really relied on the solid play” from their guards.
K’Oz Castro, Ezra Romeno and AJ Covello helped carry the team to their third straight win.
“Timely shots and made free throws were the difference,” Largent said.
The freshmen were scheduled to travel to take on Hilmar in Monday night action, Jan. 22.
At the end of this past week, the JV boys were 9-13 overall and 3-3 in TVL play; the freshmen were at 11-10 overall, 2-3 in the TVL.
