Warriors go the distance but come up short

Girls JV basketball The junior varsity girls laced up for another week of basketball starting with a home game against Williams last Monday, Dec. 9. Unfortunately the Yellowjackets stung the Warriors with a 43-13 loss. Keeping their memories short, the junior varsity squad traveled to St. Helena the next day to battle the Saints. Madeline MacMahon led the charge with 10 points that helped maintain a narrow lead going into the fourth quarter. When the dust settled, however, St. Helena was able to steal victory from the Warriors with a final score of 23-22. “It’s going to be helpful to get some practice time in to work on strategies and skills that are critical to our needs,” Head coach Tom Crisp said after enduring five games in six days, “I know the girls must be exhausted with so many games in such a short time, but their energy and effort has been outstanding.” Girls varsity basketball On Monday, Dec. 9, the girls varsity team hosted Williams in a non-conference game. The Yellowjackets came out strong with 34 points in the first half against the injury-plagued Warriors, but the game was far from over as Gianna Carrion led a comeback with 12 points. The Warriors pulled within seven points in the fourth, but Williams was able to hold on to win 34-27. After switching into their away jerseys, the varsity team headed to St. Helena the next day to take on the Saints. Even without their roster at full strength, the Warriors kept the game competitive with Carrion pulling down 15 rebounds. The Saints, unfortunately, would be marching out with a 44-27 victory. “Between the injuries and sickness, we’re struggling to get girls to games and practice.” Head coach Matt Cooley commented on the Warriors’ recent injuries and illnesses, “But I thought we had a chance to play well against St. Helena. We played our best game of the year. Very frustrating.” Boys JV basketball The boys junior basketball team headed to Williams on Monday, Dec. 9, to take on the Yellowjackets. Although it was cold outside, the Warriors held on to a cozy lead that turned into a 62-44 victory. The next day, the St. Helena Saints would come marching into town and put up an early lead against the JV squad. The Warriors, however, weren’t about to go down without a fight as Memo Valadez caught on fire putting in five three-pointers in the fourth quarter to force the game into overtime. Even with Valadez’s 36 points, the Saints found a way to escape with a 55-51 victory. Head coach Jon Davis said the team fought hard all game, but were just out-rebounded and had some mental mistakes late. The junior varsity squad would wrap up their week on Friday, Dec. 13 with a 48-32 road victory against the Rio Vista Rams. Leading the way again was Valadez with 21 points, as well as 10 from Logan Crabtree and 11 from Nathan Vigil. “I’m seeing a lot of progress and growth right now,” Davis said praising his teams’ play. “Against Rio Vista we did a better job at boxing out, limiting turnovers and playing defense without fouling.” Boys varsity basketball The boys varsity team hosted the Williams Yellowjackets Monday, Dec. 9, in a non-conference game. Behind Jeremy Alberg’s 25 points, and an additional 14 from David Reyes, the Warriors gift-wrapped a 58-50 loss for the Yellowjackets and sent them home for the holidays. The following day, the varsity squad would have to suit up for an away game in St. Helena. Although Alberg took care of business beyond the arch with six three-pointers, the Saints would clench a 53-35 victory. The Warriors would close out their week with a road trip to Rio Vista. The Rams took care of business on both sides of the court, however, and would end up winning the game 54-21. “Against Williams we made enough shots and had a good fourth quarter defensively to get the win,” head coach Jason Davis explained his teams’ week of basketball. “We had tough shooting nights against St. Helena and Rio Vista. We’re living by the three and dying by the three. Looking forward to practice soon to hopefully find ways to create more balance.”]]>