Joshua Seals gave his team a needed spark to start the second half Wednesday when playoff-bound Sierra capped the regular season at East Union.
The Timberwolves ran a half-court play that paved the way for the 6-foot-3 senior forward to throw down one of two slam dunks that got them rolling to a 54-46 victory. Seals got another opportunity to attack the rim 20 seconds later on a fastbreak, as Emil Esperanza fed him for the left-handed tomahawk.
“We saw what they were doing as far as guarding our screens, and it was something we were going to do eventually anyways,” Sierra coach Eddie Morales said of the
Seals finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Anthony Grady added 11 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Leading by two at halftime, Sierra (5-5 Valley Oak League, 16-11 overall) gained separation in the third quarter with a 10-4 run and carried a 42-33 lead into the fourth.
“It was just our coach giving us an inspirational speech and getting us out of our heads and just playing basketball — playing our game,” Seals said. “I give it up to my teammates coming together and finishing out this game.”
Rebounding and shot making also tilted Sierra’s way in the second half. After getting outrebounded 13-11 in the first half, giving up seven boards on offense, the Timberwolves controlled the glass over the final two periods, 18-9.
They also got two big 3-pointers from Lucas Garcia at the end of the third quarter, and Seals started fourth-quarter scoring with a 3 of his own. Sierra held its largest lead at 50-37 after Seals scored on a post-up move with 3:23 remaining.
“Early in the game, we were giving them too many offensive rebounds,” Morales said. “Our defense was good, but we were fouling, giving up free throws and they’re getting offensive rebounds for put-backs. It was just more about us finishing plays.
“For second half, adjustments, we were just more focused on finishing the possessions — one (shot) and shut them out. We shot the ball better, too.”
Sophomore Jackson Fay paced East Union (0-10, 5-22) with 11 points, and Sergio Quezada netted 10 points and four rebounds. Ten different Lancers scored in their season finale.
“They had a little run to start the second half to push them forward,” East Union coach Dutch Ell said. “Credit to them, but our guys battled. We’re young and getting a lot of experience so it’s been fantastic to set us up for next year
“My guys have worked so hard all year. Our record might not show it exactly, but they have battled through and through. We’ve had multiple close games in league that just didn’t go our way, but they worked hard.”
Sierra, which earned an automatic berth by finishing third in league, will find out its postseason placement Saturday when the Sac-Joaquin Section holds its annual selection show on the NFHS Network starting at 1:30 p.m.
Junior varsity
East Union 56, Sierra 48
Ricky Soria scored 13 of his game-high 18 points in the second half to help East Union (8-4 VOL, 11-9 overall) finish the season on a high note.
Austin Barnes contributed 15 points, hitting four 3s.
Julian Ruiz paced the Timberwolves (6-6, 18-10) with 15 points. Cody Camarena and Colby Vueve pumped in nine apiece.
Freshman
Sierra 51 East Union 49
Spearheaded by Isaac Kempf’s season-high 27 points and 10 rebounds, the Timberwolves (9-3, 17-9 overall) rolled to the season-ending victory and a first-place finish in the VOL.
Kempf scored 11 of his points in the fourth quarter and made 11 of his 13 overall shots from the field. Isaiah Revives added eight points, and Arsh Gosal tallied six points and 10 rebounds.
Sierra capped the season one a five-game winning streak, winning seven of its last eight.
East Union was led by Jesse Martinez’s 20 points and four 3s. Chase Kalin chipped in nine points.
