LATHROP – The Lathrop High’s girls basketball team headed into the final period trailing Tracy by 10 points, and a pair of quick Tracy 3-pointers would eliminate the Spartans chances at a comeback in a 59-42 loss to the Bulldogs Thursday.
Tracy built an early 14-3 lead in the first quarter, pushing the Spartans into a double-digit deficit less than three minutes into the contest. Lathrop’s offense sputtered through the first quarter, but found a decent run in the waning moments of the second were they were down by six, but they would get no closer.
“We had a poor shooting night tonight,” Lathrop head coach Ed Fang said. “We had some good shots, we had good looks, we just weren’t able to convert on them.
“The shots were there for us in our offense.”
Lathrop (3-2) got strong offensive production from freshman Diamond Gomez, but even in turning in a game-high 18 points, the Lathrop guard failed to cash in on a host of scoring opportunities. Primary offensive scoring threat Jasmine Elder (seven points) could not seem to get on track. Tracy’s low-post dominance from junior Ari Grimes and Catherine Gibson, further dwindled Lathrop’s chances.
“Jasmine Elder was a little flat tonight,” Fang said. “She just seemed to be a little off out there. She has been our leading scorer thus far, but that happens. She just had an off night.”
Tracy got all the production they needed from inside the paint, with Grimes turning in a game-high 11 rebounds and Gibson pulling down another seven, Tracy’s scoring opportunities came in bulk. The pair combined for 15 points, but their play on the glass is what was most rewarding for the Bulldogs.
“Ari had her best game by far rebounding the basketball,” Tracy head coach Derek Solano said. “And (Gibson), although she didn’t play as much as Ari, really had some nice rebounds too.
“Ari has really been our key rebounder so far this season.”
Lathrop was able to muster another run midway through the third quarter when a Gomez layup cut Tracy’s lead down to six for the second time in the game. The Bulldogs would answer by going on a 13-3 run, practically closing the door on the Spartans.
Lathrop will have to push past the loss and prepare to compete in the Consumnes Oaks Tournament. The Spartans open with Argonaut Monday.
Senior Britney Rallios was extremely effective for the Spartans in the second half, as was teammate Krystal Ruiz. Ruiz chipped in with eight points, and proved to be the Spartans sole option inside the paint. She will definitely need some assistance inside if Lathrop plans on getting past West in the upcoming tournament opener.
Tracy built an early 14-3 lead in the first quarter, pushing the Spartans into a double-digit deficit less than three minutes into the contest. Lathrop’s offense sputtered through the first quarter, but found a decent run in the waning moments of the second were they were down by six, but they would get no closer.
“We had a poor shooting night tonight,” Lathrop head coach Ed Fang said. “We had some good shots, we had good looks, we just weren’t able to convert on them.
“The shots were there for us in our offense.”
Lathrop (3-2) got strong offensive production from freshman Diamond Gomez, but even in turning in a game-high 18 points, the Lathrop guard failed to cash in on a host of scoring opportunities. Primary offensive scoring threat Jasmine Elder (seven points) could not seem to get on track. Tracy’s low-post dominance from junior Ari Grimes and Catherine Gibson, further dwindled Lathrop’s chances.
“Jasmine Elder was a little flat tonight,” Fang said. “She just seemed to be a little off out there. She has been our leading scorer thus far, but that happens. She just had an off night.”
Tracy got all the production they needed from inside the paint, with Grimes turning in a game-high 11 rebounds and Gibson pulling down another seven, Tracy’s scoring opportunities came in bulk. The pair combined for 15 points, but their play on the glass is what was most rewarding for the Bulldogs.
“Ari had her best game by far rebounding the basketball,” Tracy head coach Derek Solano said. “And (Gibson), although she didn’t play as much as Ari, really had some nice rebounds too.
“Ari has really been our key rebounder so far this season.”
Lathrop was able to muster another run midway through the third quarter when a Gomez layup cut Tracy’s lead down to six for the second time in the game. The Bulldogs would answer by going on a 13-3 run, practically closing the door on the Spartans.
Lathrop will have to push past the loss and prepare to compete in the Consumnes Oaks Tournament. The Spartans open with Argonaut Monday.
Senior Britney Rallios was extremely effective for the Spartans in the second half, as was teammate Krystal Ruiz. Ruiz chipped in with eight points, and proved to be the Spartans sole option inside the paint. She will definitely need some assistance inside if Lathrop plans on getting past West in the upcoming tournament opener.
