With seven players on his roster, Weston Ranch High coach Eddie Menzel isn’t getting too wrapped up about the foul situation.
“I just let them play,” he said Thursday after his Cougars roared to a 71-40 drubbing of Manteca High at Winter Gym.
Buffaloes coach Jason Hitt took note of the disparity between the two Valley Oak League teams.
“They got experienced players,” he said. “They beat us at every aspect of the game.”
Mi’son Coilton, Ke’Yon Forbes, and Donjae’ Lindsey are what’s left from Weston Ranch’s NorCal Championship team of a year ago. Two newcomers — CJ Ward and Marshawn Smith — have managed to fit in quite nicely.
“We did a lot of conditioning,” said Ward, knowing his team would have just a handful of players this season.
He previously played for his father at Lathrop High. Against Manteca, Ward, the former Spartan, contributed with 10 points, five rebounds, five blocks and three steals.
He took equal pride in his defense.
“As a team, we look to play good defense,” said Ward, who slammed down an alley-oop pass from Smith — he was a recipient of a behind-the-back pass from Coilton on the fast-break in the third quarter.
By that point, Weston Ranch (3-0 VOL, 3-1 overall) had cruised to a 45-19 lead.
Coilton, who had four steals early on, along with Forbes and Lindsay applied plenty of pressure on Manteca (6-1, 8-4).
The Buffaloes had their best run midway through the first half, with Mehtaj Mehrok and Ryan Inderbitzin delivering on 3s into the Cougars’ early lead, 19-13.
Smith delivered on several slam dunks including two in traffic. He along with Lindsay and sophomore Elliot Mobley extended Weston Ranch’s advantage at the half, 37-19, scoring often in the open court.
Lindsay led all scorers with 20 points to go along with seven rebounds. Smith chipped in with 18 points, four rebounds, and four steals.
Coilton finished with 14 points, seven steals, and five boards.
“We have a good group of guys. They’ve played together in AAU,” Menzel said.
Justice Chase led the Buffaloes with 10 points with teammate Nick Bell adding nine points and 13 rebounds. Mehrok scooped up eight boards.
Martin, in addition, had eight for Manteca.
The two teams square off again this evening at Weston Ranch. Tip-off is 7 p.m.
