Four games in four days made for a hectic week for Escalon's JV boys, the squad taking part in the Oakdale Rotary Classic Tournament.
They went 2-2, ending up in ninth place out of the 16 teams competing.
The competition didn't start well for the squad, however, dropping its first two games before regrouping and winning the final two by decisive scores.
Facing off first against Davis on Monday, Dec. 27, the Cougars battled before falling in a 56-52 contest.
"We really played hard," said coach Greg Largent. "We were in the game the entire way."
Changing the complexion of that game, however, was a Davis player that checked in around six feet, nine inches.
"We couldn't do too much with him," Largent said. "We did shut him down some in the second half, Jared August played great defense against him, held him to eight points in the second half."
Escalon had trouble converting at the free throw line in the game, going only 8-for-22.
"If we had made our free throws, we might have come away with a victory," noted Largent.
Brian French kept his team in the game with an 18-point night, Steve Largent chipped in with nine and Jared August and Phil Parrish each had eight.
"That dropped us into the consolation bracket and we went up against Buhach Colony on Tuesday," Largent said. "It was kind of the same story, we were 6-for-20 in free throws, we didn't shoot well at the line."
Buhach Colony won the game, 60-58.
"It was one of those tough losses," agreed Largent. "We had a lot of turnovers, we just couldn't get going."
Parrish poured in 17 points in the loss, August had 14 and David Anderson scored eight.
Roaring back with a vengeance on Wednesday, the JV Cougars took a 61-20 win off the court against Delhi.
"We took out some frustration on Delhi," said Largent. "Everybody scored, everybody played and Mike Stime was the story, he came off the bench for 17 points, he's really coming on."
Steve Largent added 16 points, with August scoring seven and Eddie DeFreitas put in a 3-pointer.
"Scott Backovich ran the offense really well and the kids played well, they relaxed," Largent added.
The win put Escalon into the ninth place game on Thursday, taking on Calaveras and defeating them 58-26.
"Everyone saw lots of playing time," said Largent.
Largent had 14 points, Stime had 13, Parrish added eight, while August and DeFreitas scored five each.
"Jaremy Puthoff played good defense and this game was more our style, we did better at the free throw line, we went 10-for-15," Largent noted.
With the split of the games in the tournament, the JV boys ended the week with a 7-3 mark.
"We're battling," said Largent. "Even the games we've lost have been close."
The boys were slated to play at Calaveras on Tuesday, after The Times went to press and will be home for games on Friday, hosting Linden and then open up Trans-Valley League play with Patterson on Saturday, Jan. 8.
By MARG JACKSON
They went 2-2, ending up in ninth place out of the 16 teams competing.
The competition didn't start well for the squad, however, dropping its first two games before regrouping and winning the final two by decisive scores.
Facing off first against Davis on Monday, Dec. 27, the Cougars battled before falling in a 56-52 contest.
"We really played hard," said coach Greg Largent. "We were in the game the entire way."
Changing the complexion of that game, however, was a Davis player that checked in around six feet, nine inches.
"We couldn't do too much with him," Largent said. "We did shut him down some in the second half, Jared August played great defense against him, held him to eight points in the second half."
Escalon had trouble converting at the free throw line in the game, going only 8-for-22.
"If we had made our free throws, we might have come away with a victory," noted Largent.
Brian French kept his team in the game with an 18-point night, Steve Largent chipped in with nine and Jared August and Phil Parrish each had eight.
"That dropped us into the consolation bracket and we went up against Buhach Colony on Tuesday," Largent said. "It was kind of the same story, we were 6-for-20 in free throws, we didn't shoot well at the line."
Buhach Colony won the game, 60-58.
"It was one of those tough losses," agreed Largent. "We had a lot of turnovers, we just couldn't get going."
Parrish poured in 17 points in the loss, August had 14 and David Anderson scored eight.
Roaring back with a vengeance on Wednesday, the JV Cougars took a 61-20 win off the court against Delhi.
"We took out some frustration on Delhi," said Largent. "Everybody scored, everybody played and Mike Stime was the story, he came off the bench for 17 points, he's really coming on."
Steve Largent added 16 points, with August scoring seven and Eddie DeFreitas put in a 3-pointer.
"Scott Backovich ran the offense really well and the kids played well, they relaxed," Largent added.
The win put Escalon into the ninth place game on Thursday, taking on Calaveras and defeating them 58-26.
"Everyone saw lots of playing time," said Largent.
Largent had 14 points, Stime had 13, Parrish added eight, while August and DeFreitas scored five each.
"Jaremy Puthoff played good defense and this game was more our style, we did better at the free throw line, we went 10-for-15," Largent noted.
With the split of the games in the tournament, the JV boys ended the week with a 7-3 mark.
"We're battling," said Largent. "Even the games we've lost have been close."
The boys were slated to play at Calaveras on Tuesday, after The Times went to press and will be home for games on Friday, hosting Linden and then open up Trans-Valley League play with Patterson on Saturday, Jan. 8.
By MARG JACKSON
