The score may have indicated that the Oakdale Mustangs were a handful of shots away from giving the Sierra Timberwolves a Valley Oak League loss they could not afford, but that was far from the case in Sierra’s 60-49 win Wednesday over the Mustangs.
Sierra (8-3 VOL, 17-6 overall) raced to a 20-5 lead after one quarter of play, and seemingly put things away for good with a 24-point lead late in the second. Oakdale would come out with more inspired play in the second half, but the damage Sierra had already inflicted proved too tough to recover from.
“We got a little lackadaisical on defense in the second half and we weren’t indentifying guys on the court and they were getting wide open shots,” Sierra head coach Scott Thomason said. “We had a comfortable lead and I think that kind of took the wind out of our sails.
“I’m proud of our effort. I think that first half was as good of basketball as I think we can play.”
The Timberwolves came out determined on both the offensive and defensive ends. Senior Eddie Andrade revealed his intentions to the Mustangs early, sinking a pair of deep 3-pointers to help build the early cushion.
Andrade was far from done, connecting on seven 3-pointers for the contest, the bulk of which came without a hand in his face. Andrade, who is undoubtedly one of the best perimeter shooters in the league, set aim on the basket time and time again with nothing but a closeout defender on his way.
“There are some specific plays that just leave me wide open,” Andrade said of their offensive scheme. “I have to really thank my post guys who set the screens that leave me wide-open. I wanted to take that last one (wide open in the game’s final seconds), but I knew coach just wanted us to waste the time.
“So I had to just back it up.”
Chances are he would have hit it. He sank two in the first, two in the second and two in the third, before opening the fourth quarter just as he closed the third – with a three. Teammate Edy Guzman found the hot hand over the second half, finishing with 14 points, 10 of which came after the half.
Oakdale was imply nonexistent through the first two periods, mustering just 13 points and looking the part of an overmatched opponent. The Mustangs rallied in the second half, outscoring Sierra 36-27 led by Manny Hernandez’ (13 points) three second half 3-pointers.
Sierra got another solid effort from Will Ward inside (11 points), giving the Timberwolves a balance they will need throughout the remainder of the season, however long that may be.
“We were looking forward to taking care of business tonight, now we’re just looking forward to Lathrop,” Thomason said. “We are taking this one game at a time. Our kids know what’s at stake. We know that if we run the table we’ll probably get a home game. We know if we lose one game we’re going on the road. If we lose two games we’ll be borderline getting in the playoffs and if we lose three we’re done and it’ll be an early vacation.”
The Timberwolves will be on the court Friday against the Spartans in Lathrop.
Sierra (8-3 VOL, 17-6 overall) raced to a 20-5 lead after one quarter of play, and seemingly put things away for good with a 24-point lead late in the second. Oakdale would come out with more inspired play in the second half, but the damage Sierra had already inflicted proved too tough to recover from.
“We got a little lackadaisical on defense in the second half and we weren’t indentifying guys on the court and they were getting wide open shots,” Sierra head coach Scott Thomason said. “We had a comfortable lead and I think that kind of took the wind out of our sails.
“I’m proud of our effort. I think that first half was as good of basketball as I think we can play.”
The Timberwolves came out determined on both the offensive and defensive ends. Senior Eddie Andrade revealed his intentions to the Mustangs early, sinking a pair of deep 3-pointers to help build the early cushion.
Andrade was far from done, connecting on seven 3-pointers for the contest, the bulk of which came without a hand in his face. Andrade, who is undoubtedly one of the best perimeter shooters in the league, set aim on the basket time and time again with nothing but a closeout defender on his way.
“There are some specific plays that just leave me wide open,” Andrade said of their offensive scheme. “I have to really thank my post guys who set the screens that leave me wide-open. I wanted to take that last one (wide open in the game’s final seconds), but I knew coach just wanted us to waste the time.
“So I had to just back it up.”
Chances are he would have hit it. He sank two in the first, two in the second and two in the third, before opening the fourth quarter just as he closed the third – with a three. Teammate Edy Guzman found the hot hand over the second half, finishing with 14 points, 10 of which came after the half.
Oakdale was imply nonexistent through the first two periods, mustering just 13 points and looking the part of an overmatched opponent. The Mustangs rallied in the second half, outscoring Sierra 36-27 led by Manny Hernandez’ (13 points) three second half 3-pointers.
Sierra got another solid effort from Will Ward inside (11 points), giving the Timberwolves a balance they will need throughout the remainder of the season, however long that may be.
“We were looking forward to taking care of business tonight, now we’re just looking forward to Lathrop,” Thomason said. “We are taking this one game at a time. Our kids know what’s at stake. We know that if we run the table we’ll probably get a home game. We know if we lose one game we’re going on the road. If we lose two games we’ll be borderline getting in the playoffs and if we lose three we’re done and it’ll be an early vacation.”
The Timberwolves will be on the court Friday against the Spartans in Lathrop.
