Warrior Sports Roundup: Feb 5, 2020

By Aaron Geerts and Jeffrey Rawlinson Staff Writers Boys Soccer The boys soccer team owes their victories this week to their strong offense who allowed them to control the field. The Warriors (11-2), were on the road to take on the Esparto Spartans (10-2-1). They dominated the Spartans, only 6 shots at the goal. The Spartans fell to the Warriors with a final score of 2-0.  On Wednesday the Warriors hosted Hamilton High School (5-6-2) and took their victory in the league contest finishing 2-1. To wrap up the week, the boys soccer team was back on the road, ready for a bout with the Durham Trojans (2-11-1) who forfeited their game last week. The Warriors won the game with a final score of 3-0. They ended the week with a record of 14-2, holding on to their second place standing in Sacramento Valley League. Girls Soccer On Tuesday the girls soccer team started their week, at 11-1, on the road to battle against the Esparto Spartans (7-3). With 17 shots on goal the Esparto goalkeeper stopped 15, making the Warriors work in their toughest game of the week. They won with a final score of 2-0. The Spartans two shots were not terribly challenging for goalie Fatima Guzman. “She is a commanding force in the goal,” said coach Kim Olivas. “She is also a great leader and directs her team from the back.” On Wednesday they hosted the Hamilton Braves (4-6) and, the Warriors took command of the score in the first two minutes. They hit seven into the net in the first half and four more in the second. Freshman Yarethzy Sanchez earned her first hat trick of her high school career. The game ended with a score of 11-0. “Karla Reyes curved one into the goal from the touchline. It was a jaw dropping shot,” said Olivas. “She has great field vision and can recirculate the ball to start the attack like a boss.” Back on the road the Warriors took on the Durham Trojans (1-10-1) on Friday. With a firm command of field the girls soccer team won 10-0. They ended their week with a new record of 14-1. The Warriors continue on with only four games left in the season.  Girls Basketball The Warriors suited up for another week of competition starting with the junior varsity girls last Tuesday against Live Oak. The Lions pounced on the Warriors all four quarters and clawed out a 32-13 victory.  “Aside from Shelby’s three-pointers in the fourth quarter, we didn’t make a shot,” head coach Tom Crisp recalled of the loss. “We need to do a better job at passing the ball against pressure so we don’t hurry shots.” The varsity girls also tried their luck taming the Live Oak Lions, but were bitten with a 50-34 loss. Two days later the varsity girls would host Woodland Christian. The Warrior offense flared up after a slow start, but it would not be enough as the Cardinals would fly away with a 51-34 victory. “Audrey did well against Live Oak, but fouls hurt us in the first half, and scoring was hard in the second,” head coach Matt Cooley commented on his team’s week of play. “We did better in the second half against Woodland Christian when they took off the press.” Boys Basketball Last Tuesday the junior varsity boys played in an absolute thriller against the visiting Live Oak Lions. Behind Memo Valadez’s 31 points, the Warriors put the “win” in Winters as they gutted out a 56-54 victory. Next on the docket for the junior varsity squad was Woodland Christian. The Warriors continued on their winning ways as they plucked the Cardinals 44-27.  On Saturday, the Pioneer Patriots wanted a piece of the red-hot junior varsity squad and got burned by Valadez’s 38 points. The game was close, but the Warriors would go on to enjoy the rest of their weekend after taking home a 54-51 victory. “We executed on both sides of the ball and fought every play. What impressed me the most was how we took the game from them in the last two minutes with our defense,” coach Jon Davis hailed his team’s week of winning. “Memo’s shooting performance against Pioneer was incredible. It was the best shooting performance I’ve ever seen at Winters.” The varsity boys chased the junior varsity win with one of their own against the visiting Live Oak Lions and pulled through with a clutch 59-57 victory. After a quick turnaround, the Woodland Christian Cardinals flew into town. While the Warriors tried their best to keep the birds at bay, the Cardinals pecked 68-60 loss on the Warriors record. The varsity squad would travel to Woodland Saturday and take on the Patriots. Both teams grappled for the lead the entire game, but in the end the Patriots would edge the Warriors 51-48.  “It was a big win against Live Oak and two hard-fought games Thursday and Friday against hot teams. We just came a play or two short,” head coach Jason Davis commented on the squad’s game play. “Going on the road for the next three games will be a challenge but we’re up for it and ready to make a push for a playoff spot. We’re playing our best basketball of the year for sure.”]]>