Losing a tough game to visiting Modesto Christian on Tuesday, the JV basketball boys in Escalon had Friday night off before jumping back into Trans-Valley League play on the road at Riverbank.
Hosting the Crusaders on Jan. 24, the game went to the visitors 59-48, but the JV Cougars didn't go down without a fight.
"We tried to play a little zone, keep the athleticism of Modesto Christian in check," explained Escalon coach Nate Bartelink. "We did that for three-and-a-half quarters."
But a game is a full four quarters, and the Crusaders were able to pull away just enough to take the win.
"I give the kids a lot of credit," Bartelink added in praising his squad. "They showed a lot of heart."
Modesto Christian came out fast, with an 18-9 scoring edge in the first quarter. Escalon battled back to outscore MC in the second and trailed just 27-23 at the break. Third quarter scoring of 16-12 and a fourth quarter total of 16-13 in MC's favor added up to the win.
"We played with great intensity," added Bartelink. "Most of the quarters were fairly closing in scoring, the guys left it all on the floor."
Owen Pangilinan was high point man for Escalon with 18, doing a good job of converting when his teammates got him the ball. Ben Hood was also in double figures with 11.
"Stephen Silveira had eight points and he played real aggressive, he also had eight rebounds," Bartelink said. "Jacob Salvador had eight points as well."
The JV boys were scheduled to be at Riverbank to start the second half of league play on Tuesday, Jan. 31 after The Times went to press. Another crucial TVL match is coming up Friday, when they host Ripon in the Homecoming contest on Feb. 3. Tip off for the JV game will be about 6 p.m.
The freshman boys were winners on the court against Modesto Christian, though no information was available from that contest.
Hosting the Crusaders on Jan. 24, the game went to the visitors 59-48, but the JV Cougars didn't go down without a fight.
"We tried to play a little zone, keep the athleticism of Modesto Christian in check," explained Escalon coach Nate Bartelink. "We did that for three-and-a-half quarters."
But a game is a full four quarters, and the Crusaders were able to pull away just enough to take the win.
"I give the kids a lot of credit," Bartelink added in praising his squad. "They showed a lot of heart."
Modesto Christian came out fast, with an 18-9 scoring edge in the first quarter. Escalon battled back to outscore MC in the second and trailed just 27-23 at the break. Third quarter scoring of 16-12 and a fourth quarter total of 16-13 in MC's favor added up to the win.
"We played with great intensity," added Bartelink. "Most of the quarters were fairly closing in scoring, the guys left it all on the floor."
Owen Pangilinan was high point man for Escalon with 18, doing a good job of converting when his teammates got him the ball. Ben Hood was also in double figures with 11.
"Stephen Silveira had eight points and he played real aggressive, he also had eight rebounds," Bartelink said. "Jacob Salvador had eight points as well."
The JV boys were scheduled to be at Riverbank to start the second half of league play on Tuesday, Jan. 31 after The Times went to press. Another crucial TVL match is coming up Friday, when they host Ripon in the Homecoming contest on Feb. 3. Tip off for the JV game will be about 6 p.m.
The freshman boys were winners on the court against Modesto Christian, though no information was available from that contest.
