Hanging tight with Siskyous shows improvement in progam
It was almost like a script from the move
”
Rocky.
”
One team was supposed to dominate while the other got pushed
over.
It never happened.
Hanging tight with Siskyous shows improvement in progam
It was almost like a script from the move “Rocky.” One team was supposed to dominate while the other got pushed over.
It never happened.
Gavilan Coach Chris Shoemaker didn’t have high expectations Wednesday as his Rams took to the floor against College of the Siskyous, a former No. 3-ranked team in Northern California.
In fact, on the game’s preview sheet, Shoemaker wrote that it would be the toughest test to date.
But Wednesday night’s contest between the Rams and the Screamin’ Eagles turned out to be a battle of guts, wit and determination. And when the final buzzer sounded, although the Eagles won 64-60, Gavilan proved it had the tenacity to play with anyone.
“We didn’t play perfect. But we did play hard and they were right there the whole game,” said College of Siskyous Coach Ed Madec, whose team had wrapped up a five-game road trip in six nights. “We were lucky to get out of here with a win.”
With the victory, the Eagles are now 11-3 while the Rams slipped to 3-8.
But despite the loss, it was clear from the opening tip off that the Rams had no intention of making things easy for the Eagles.
In the first four minutes of play, Gavilan trailed 9-0. But they played relentless defense and eventually took a 16-15 lead to the cheers of the 100-plus people in attendance. Minutes later, the Rams held a slim 21-19 lead.
“Sometimes you get a false sense of security when you jump out early,” said Madec. “Once we did, I thought ‘oh no.’ I was worried that we wouldn’t play hard. We did, but they just never went away.”
Over the final 10 minutes of the half, the Eagles started to surge offensively again and opened a 10-point lead with just a few minutes remaining in the half. Gavilan, however, kept ducking the knockout punch and went on an 8-0 run of its own that was capped off when Cheston Turner landed a dramatic three-pointer at the buzzer.
Gavilan then trailed by just two, 33-31.
Much of the reason for the Rams success was solid play by Jimmy Herrera. Herrera, a 6-foot guard from Live Oak, had 21 points on the night.
“He kept ball faking us and hitting shots. He had some real skills,” said Madec.
From the stands, Gavilan Athletic Director Ron Hannon watched as the Rams fought hard until the end.
“I think they’re beginning to realize that their hard work is starting to pay off,” said Hannon, hired this year to help turn the school’s much-maligned athletic department around. “They’re close to getting over the hump and they’ve been busting their tails to do it.”
Shoemaker agreed and said that he expected his team to be hitting on all cylinders by January-the month that league play begins.
This weekend the Rams are playing in Ukiah at the Mendocino College tournament. On Dec. 17, they will be back home to face De Anza College before heading on a month-long road trip.
