Hosting the annual Escalon Cougar Christmas Classic, the JV basketball boys earned the tournament title. It was the second time in the 10 years of the tourney that the host team has claimed the trophy.
Games were played in the Escalon High School old and new gyms on Wednesday, Dec. 28 but had to move some of the games to the gym on the El Portal Middle School campus for the final two days of the tournament due to roof issues at the old gym.
Escalon’s JV boys – who have put together a lengthy winning streak – started the tournament with a 76-48 win over McNair on Wednesday. They took down Argonaut 81-46 on Thursday, Dec. 29 with a running clock in effect toward the end of the fourth quarter; and then held off Patterson in the championship game, 62-58.
Ryan Lewis, Ryan Murphy and Ben Ferreira were named to the All-Tournament Team.
“We lit up the scoreboard, averaged 73 points a game,” said head coach Dave Anderson. “Traditionally it’s a very competitive tournament.”
After cruising to wins in the first two rounds, the JV Cougars found themselves in a bit of a battle as they faced off with the Patterson Tigers in hopes of taking top honors.
“The final was very tough. We definitely didn’t make it easy on ourselves down the stretch but were fortunate to prevail while learning some valuable situational lessons,” noted Anderson. “It’s good to have a hard-fought game like that and to be playing better and better each time we take the floor just before league starts.”
The JV record following the tournament was 12-3; with the team winning nine in a row.
They were slated to play at Argonaut on Jan. 2 in their last preseason contest prior to traveling to Riverbank for the start of Trans-Valley League action on Jan. 4; they go to Ripon Christian on Jan. 6.
“It has been fun to watch,” noted varsity head coach Nate Bartelink of the JV winning streak. “They are showing they will be a serious threat for a TVL title.”
Escalon’s freshmen lost their opening round game to McNair, got past Buhach Colony in round two and then fell to Enochs, going 1-2 for the tourney.
After the loss to McNair, the frosh boys came back with a determined effort, playing in the El Portal gym on Thursday. Down at the half, they steadily chipped away and were able to get the lead late, holding off Buhach Colony in the final seconds of the contest, earning a 42-41 win.
They couldn’t quite keep up the momentum on Friday, falling to the Enochs Eagles. But they are ready for league play as well, with games at Riverbank and Ripon Christian on the schedule this week.
“I’d like to thank everyone that contributed to the success of our tournament,” Bartelink said of the three-day multi-team event. “Our parents have always provided amazing support throughout the season, and during this tournament in particular, and this tourney was no exception. Our hospitality room was top notch, as always, and several people volunteered to help in other ways; working at the door, donating to the snack bar, working in the snack bar, and running the scoreboard. I am very grateful for all of their contributions.”
