California knocks off Pioneers
ROGERSVILLE — The California boys’ basketball squad exploded for 19 first-quarter points and relied on its defense the rest of the way, recording a 53-39 victory at West Greene Tuesday night.
The Trojans (12-4, 8-1) extended their winning streak to six games and didn’t show any signs of a letdown after clinching a playoff spot last week.
“We worked against their zone and made some outside shots,” Cal coach Bruno Pappasergi said. “It’s always a dogfight every time we come here, and West Greene is a well-prepared team. We had a little foul trouble and couldn’t get our press going, but our half-court defense stepped up and we were able to use the extra pass on offense.”
Cal was led by Kass Taylor, who had nine of his team-high 14 points in the second half. John DeFranko scored 12 points, while K.C. Zajicek added 10.
“Kass is a special athlete,” Pappasergi said. “He is one of our leading scorers and an excellent rebounder. He has a nice skill set and tonight he was able to move without the ball. He found space down low and was able to finish around the rim.”
Despite the loss, the Pioneers’ (6-12, 4-5) playoff hopes are still alive, as West Greene must win two of its final three Section 3-A games to qualify. Kolton Rush and Craig Weaver both tallied 11 points for West Greene.
“They made shots tonight and our offense struggled,” West Greene coach Jim Romanus said. “The last time we played them we lost 36-33 and that’s our style of game. Their kids shot the ball better and we just couldn’t keep up with them. Our defense is our strength.”
After the Pioneers grabbed the first basket of the contest, the Trojans went on an 11-2 spree.
Cal made six shots from beyond the arc in the win, four of which came in the opening eight minutes, as the visitors raced out to a 19-11 lead at the end of one.
It was a low-scoring second quarter with only 15 points being recorded, but the Trojans ended the first half on a 7-2 spurt, courtesy of a basket by Taylor, a trey by DeFranko and a pair of free throws by Atrayo Mattews. Cal led 28-17 at intermission.
The Trojans started the third period on an 8-2 run and Taylor ended the frame with back-to-back baskets to give Cal a 40-26 edge going into the final eight minutes.
The Pioneers collected four points to start the fourth period and, after a basket by Bray Jackson, West Greene was back in the game trailing 45-34 with four minutes left.
Taylor answered with an inside hoop and Cal was able to hit enough of its shots from the foul line to weather West Greene’s comeback in the final minutes for the section triumph.
“I like the balance I saw on offense and we won as a team tonight,” Pappasergi said. “Going down the stretch, we have to improve our full-court pressure defense and be able to realize when’s the right time to go for a steal and to lay back. We have to control our aggressiveness.”
Both teams will be in non-section action tonight, as Cal travels to Frazier and West Greene hosts Bentworth.
“It’s going to be a mad scramble the rest of the way,” Romanus said. “We have a couple of important games the last week of the season and we have to be prepared for them. Our defense shows up every game, but we need to make our shots. We don’t have enough kids that can score, and we are maxing out our talents this season. We have to put points on the board.”