East Union limited visiting Sierra to just seven first-half points and six points in the final quarter Friday and rolled to a 52-23 thumping of the Timberwolves to open Valley Oak League boys basketball play at Dalben Center.
The Lancers made 20 steals with Alex Cuevas making five.
“We held them to seven points in the first half,” East Union coach Dutch Ell said. “And I preach to them every day that we are a defense-first team. Our identity is defense first, and I feel that we proved that today when we tried to smother them every second of the game.
“I cannot be more proud of my players. They put defense first and holding a league team to 23 points just shows how much we are willing to put our hearts and our effort out on the floor on the defensive end.”
The Lancers (1-0 VOL, 10-6 overall) had a balanced attack with Dylan Lee (four rebounds, two steals, assist), Alex Cervantes and Trevor Barnes leading the Lancers with nine points apiece.
“We just knew if we were unselfish we could play our game and get the easy baskets,” Lee said. “And that’s what we did, passing the ball around and the easy baskets came our way.”
Cervantes scored five of his nine points in the third period.
“We have to be consistent,” Cervantes said. “We are having players that are getting sick or injured so I took it upon myself to step up.
“Being a junior will also help us next year with the sophomores and juniors from this year.”
Ian Metcalf (five rebounds, three steals) scored six points behind a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter and hustled all night, spearheading the East Union defensive effort.
“It (hustle) has to be important to your team,” Metcalf said. “Because it gives energy to everyone else and it brings a good feel to the court and helps our team win.”
Sierra (0-1, 11-7) kept the Lancers in check for the first quarter, allowing East Union just six points in the first eight minutes before East Union cut loose for 16 points in the second period.
“I thought defensively we were fine, we were grinding,” Timberwolves coach Eddie Morales said. “We just couldn’t get any offensive rhythm at all. Shots weren’t falling and guys weren’t making the right reads on plays.
“But credit to them. They switched it up pretty good and played five guards a lot of the time with quickness on the perimeter. I thought we were going to pound it inside, and our big guys didn’t get it done.”
Robanjit Singh led Sierra with five points.
On Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. the Lancers travel to Modesto to face Central Catholic and Sierra hosts Manteca.
Junior varsity
Sierra 46, East Union 36
John Estrada led the Timberwolves with 22 points.
Robbie Espinoza paced the Timberwolves with 14 points and Vincent Hudson chipped in 12 points.
