A fast-paced week of action for Escalon’s basketball boys saw the varsity squad sweep their opponents, including notching a thrilling double overtime win on Friday night, Dec. 8. They faced Modesto on Tuesday, traveled to Orestimba on Wednesday and were back home to host Sutter on Friday.
The freshmen also went 3-0 on the week while the JV boys got one win in their three games.
“Going into this week, we figured to be up against a couple of good opponents in Orestimba and Sutter. Both were Division 4 playoff teams last season, Orestimba knocked us out of the playoffs, and ended our season earlier than expected,” varsity head coach Nate Bartelink said in sizing up the games. “In terms of how tight these two games were, both of them lived up to our expectations, and then some.”
The Friday night game, Dec. 8 against Sutter, was by far the most exciting contest played by a Cougar team in recent memory. The double overtime contest was won by the Cougars, 100-91.
“I’ve been coaching for 22 years now, and I have never experienced a game like this one. Scoring 100 points in a high school basketball game is very rare; this one happened in an extremely close game. Usually if a team scores 100 points, it happens in a blowout,” Bartelink explained. “I’m only aware of scoring 100 happening one other time by an Escalon team. Both teams in this game were playing at an extremely high level; the shot making on both sides was impressive. We established a lead early, but Sutter would not go away. They are a good team and will be in the playoffs.”
Sutter’s three-point shooting (14 made 3’s in the game) kept them within striking distance all night.
“Our half-court trap did what it is designed to do as we forced 27 turnovers, which fueled our dangerous transition game. We tried several different defenses throughout the game in the hopes of keeping Sutter out of a rhythm. I give our guys a lot of credit for executing a defense we had not yet had the opportunity to discuss or review at practice,” added Bartelink. “Danny Gonzalez did a great job defensively in the fourth quarter on one of Sutter’s best players, limiting his touches. We did a great job taking care of the ball throughout the game with a season low 13 turnovers, in 40 minutes. We had several guys up and down the line-up making big plays throughout the game.”
Ethan Garza, said the coach, was in “attack mode” and finished with a varsity career high 30 points, 10 coming in the overtime periods. He calmly sank the last four free-throws to get Escalon’s side of the scoreboard to the 100 mark.
“Ben Ferreira filled the stat sheet again; he continues to play bigger than his size and more poised than his age. Sammy Jimenez scored 15 points and made a big three in the first overtime to recapture the lead, and a big basket later in the first overtime to tie the game,” Bartelink said. “Danny Gonzalez was active, making plays like he has all season. Logan Huebner played through some foul trouble and was re-inserted back in the line-up late in the game and made a big shot towards the end of regulation, and another at the very end of the first overtime to tie the game at 87; he consistently makes winning plays.”
When Sutter scored the first five points of the first overtime period, Bartelink said the Cougars didn’t flinch. Instead, they went on a 10-0 run, before Sutter was then able to recapture the lead.
“We then executed two sets with under 35 seconds left to tie the game each time, once with a basket by Sam Jimenez, and the other by Logan Huebner, after Ethan got into the paint and created for him. We then pretty much controlled the second overtime time period; taking care of the ball and making our free throws; the last four by Ethan,” said the coach.
Sutter scored the first basket in the second overtime, but Escalon then went on a 9-0 run to take control.
“I’m unbelievably proud of every player on our roster for all that they contributed to finding a way to win this game,” Bartelink summarized. “The game was an instant classic, one that I was privileged to be a part of. The fans definitely got their money’s worth.”
Ethan Garza had 30 points (varsity career high), four rebounds, five assists, four steals and hit 10 of 12 free throws. Ben Ferreira poured in 18 points (varsity career high), and had eight rebounds and five steals. Sam Jimenez had 15 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four steals; Logan Huebner added six points and nine rebounds; Ben Fletcher had eight points; Cam Dalpogetti put in six points.
Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Orestimba, the Cougars avenged last year’s season-ending playoff loss to the Warriors, crafting a hard fought 55-51 victory.
“Orestimba is a tough, well coached team, and playing in their gym is a huge challenge. It is extremely loud, making it hard to communicate. Their players are skilled and physical, making things on both ends of the court difficult,” Bartelink said. “We had a poor start to the game, trailing 14-5 after the first quarter, and 20-7 at one point early in the second quarter. We finally started to settle in, tied the game in the second quarter and only trailed by three points at the half.”
The Cougars were able to stay the course and matched the physicality of the host team.
“I was very proud of how mentally and physically tough we were throughout the game, playing through adverse circumstances,” the coach said. “We had a really good third quarter and held a seven-point lead going into the fourth.”
Orestimba made a final run, Bartelink noted, securing a lead late in the game, but the varsity Cougar boys found a way to get it done and secured an important road win.
“I was extremely proud of the guys for winning such an important early season game, once again, with the full roster still only having one practice together at that point,” he said.
Jimenez had 18 points, eight rebounds; Garza scored nine points; Ferreira had eight points; and Frank Richard Barrera added eight points and five rebounds.
The team opened up the week hosting Modesto on Dec. 5, cruising to a 76-32 win.
“After a slow start the first few minutes of the game, we turned it on and didn’t look back. Our half-court trap forced 32 turnovers, and we had a comfortable lead the entire game, finishing with a running clock in the fourth quarter,” Bartelink said. “This was the first game for our five football players; we were able to get all of our players some playing time, which was nice. Jagger Scott came in and was very active, making a very positive impact on the game, earning ‘The Dogg Chain’. With limited practices right now due to three games per week, we need to use these December games to work on various schemes and concepts, especially with the five football players that haven’t been in the gym for over a month.”
Gonzalez paced the team with16 points, six rebounds; Ferreira had 13 points; Garza had 12; Jimenez chipped in with nine points. Huebner had seven, Frank Richard Barrera had six points and 11 rebounds.
“It was a really good week for us. Three wins, two coming against quality opponents. We’re playing at a pretty high level right now, but I believe our best basketball is still ahead of us,” Bartelink said of his varsity boys. “We know we have more work to do.”
JV/Freshmen
In Friday action, the JV boys lost to Sutter by a 62-44 final while the freshmen stayed a few points better than their opponent to take a 37-28 win off the court.
On the road at Orestimba on Dec. 6, the JV fought hard but took a six-point loss, 47-41. The freshmen got a tremendous scoring game and took down the young Warriors 58-37.
Tuesday, Dec. 5 at home against Modesto, it was a 44-33 win for the freshmen and the JV boys also took a win, outscoring Modesto 54-47.
“Unfortunately, during the game, Wyatt Riesenbeck suffered a knee injury and will miss the rest of the season,” Bartelink said of the JV player. “It will be difficult to replace the positive impact he has on the court.”
The freshmen closed out the week with an overall mark of 3-2, the JV is 2-3 with the varsity opening up the campaign 5-0.
This week, the squads were once again looking at three games on the schedule.
They were slated to be on the road for all three, at Summerville on Dec. 12; Thursday, Dec. 14 at Ceres and Friday, Dec. 15 at Liberty Ranch.
“Each day in the gym, whether it be at practice or a game, is a great opportunity for us to improve,” Bartelink said of the squads.
