Avenging an earlier season loss and enjoying a chance to play for Winter Homecoming, the Escalon varsity basketball girls put two wins on the books this week.
They hosted Sonora to open round two of Trans-Valley League play on Jan. 28 and won by a 53-36 final.
“We lost to them there (at Sonora) to open TVL play. It was a game we have wanted back ever since,” said head coach Joseph Dalpogetti. “We played flat and shot the ball poorly. This time around we just wanted to focus on playing hard and letting everything else take care of itself.”
Escalon started off fast, the press getting to Sonora and forcing them into a couple of early timeouts to regroup. Escalon had a 22-6 lead after the first quarter and was up 32-16 at the half.
“They did outscore us 12-9 in the third but we rallied in the fourth to put it away, 53-36,” the coach said.
Ari Velasco had a 16-point night for the Lady Cougars, Madi Babasa had 13 and Ayana Cocio was in double figures with 11 points. Aiden Hohenwarter chipped in with nine.
Friday night, the varsity girls took the court following the JV boys, having the opportunity play at Homecoming in front of a big crowd.
“We are appreciative that we have been included in Homecoming the last two years and we hope it is something that continues,” Dalpogetti said. “We got off to another hot start and led 10-0 early and 17-5 after one.”
Hilmar was in town for the game and the visiting Lady Yellowjackets didn’t seem to have any answers for what Escalon was throwing at them.
The host Lady Cougars enjoyed a 37-10 lead at the half and kept the pressure on in the third and fourth quarters, ending with a 57-25 victory.
“Madi led us with 22 points, Ari had 14 and Ayana 12,” the coach said. “We are now 6-2 in league and 13-10 overall.”
Escalon remains two games out of first place – behind undefeated Ripon – but will look to continue putting games in the win column as they battle for playoff position.
They were to travel to Hughson on Feb. 4 and will be home to host Ripon Christian on Friday, Feb. 7.
