TRACY — The youth and inexperience of rebuilding Linden and fledgling Lathrop were painfully evident in their Tracy Winter Holiday Classic consolation-bracket clash at West High Tuesday.
While Lathrop continued to learn on the job, Linden was able to exploit something that cannot be taught: Size.
Doug Sisson, a second-year varsity junior, made good use of his 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame while anchoring the Lions’ 54-43 victory. He scored most of his 23 points in the paint but proved more than capable from mid-range. He also grabbed 15 rebounds and was four blocked shots shy of a triple double.
“We just got more efficient with our passes and pounded it down to the big guy for higher-percentage shots — that was the difference,” Linden coach Dean Balcao said.
Lathrop (1-7), which dropped its fifth straight loss, trailed by as much as 21 points in the second half but did well to close the gap late with a 12-2 run over the final 5 minutes of the contest.
Suddenly, Lathrop was able to force turnovers and score on fastbreaks in the fourth quarter much like it did in the first. The Spartans created 18 of 24 turnovers in the first and fourth periods combined and trailed just 9-8 going into the second.
Linden (2-6), to its credit, recognized the obvious mismatch in the post in the middle quarters, when Sisson erupted for 17 of his points, while Lathrop stuck to its man-to-man defense.
Sisson also took over defensively, changing several more shots that he did not get a piece of. The Spartans were held scoreless for 6 minute, 45 seconds in the second quarter before Ricky Chavez’s put-back layup ended the drought. Linden led 20-12 at that point and didn’t slow down since.
Riley Jones, another second-year junior for Linden, contributed 14 points and 10 boards. Andrew Kouvanis led Lathrop with 16 points, and Robert Orentes added 11.
Lathrop will be presented another challenge in the form of Modesto today back at West. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.
Sophomores Dylan Alexander and Zerrion Payton led the way with 27 and 26 points, respectively. Guard Andre Beard chipped in with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while 6-foot-7 center Daiveon Leverett added eight and 12.
Weston Ranch and Johansen are scheduled to lock horns at 6 tonight at West.
While Lathrop continued to learn on the job, Linden was able to exploit something that cannot be taught: Size.
Doug Sisson, a second-year varsity junior, made good use of his 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame while anchoring the Lions’ 54-43 victory. He scored most of his 23 points in the paint but proved more than capable from mid-range. He also grabbed 15 rebounds and was four blocked shots shy of a triple double.
“We just got more efficient with our passes and pounded it down to the big guy for higher-percentage shots — that was the difference,” Linden coach Dean Balcao said.
Lathrop (1-7), which dropped its fifth straight loss, trailed by as much as 21 points in the second half but did well to close the gap late with a 12-2 run over the final 5 minutes of the contest.
Suddenly, Lathrop was able to force turnovers and score on fastbreaks in the fourth quarter much like it did in the first. The Spartans created 18 of 24 turnovers in the first and fourth periods combined and trailed just 9-8 going into the second.
Linden (2-6), to its credit, recognized the obvious mismatch in the post in the middle quarters, when Sisson erupted for 17 of his points, while Lathrop stuck to its man-to-man defense.
Sisson also took over defensively, changing several more shots that he did not get a piece of. The Spartans were held scoreless for 6 minute, 45 seconds in the second quarter before Ricky Chavez’s put-back layup ended the drought. Linden led 20-12 at that point and didn’t slow down since.
Riley Jones, another second-year junior for Linden, contributed 14 points and 10 boards. Andrew Kouvanis led Lathrop with 16 points, and Robert Orentes added 11.
Lathrop will be presented another challenge in the form of Modesto today back at West. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.
W. Ranch 92, Enochs 68
At Tracy High, the Cougars (5-1) put together a second straight impressive performance to advance to the winner’s bracket semifinal where Johansen of Modesto awaits.Sophomores Dylan Alexander and Zerrion Payton led the way with 27 and 26 points, respectively. Guard Andre Beard chipped in with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while 6-foot-7 center Daiveon Leverett added eight and 12.
Weston Ranch and Johansen are scheduled to lock horns at 6 tonight at West.
