By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS
Lancers scoreless in fourth as Sierra rolls
SHSEU1-1-8-11
Sierra guard Guillermo Nunez winds up to deliver an entry pass into the post around East Union defender Brock Swift during Friday’s Valley Oak League crosstown game at Dalben Center. - photo by HIME ROMERO

Sierra High boys basketball coach Scott Thomason called it an “impressive win.”

At some point this weekend, he is going to pinpoint the unimpressive on game film.

He won’t find much.

In what is a usually competitive crosstown grudge match, the Timberwolves kept host East Union scoreless in the fourth quarter of a 66-35 clobbering Friday.

“I’m sick in the head and the guys know that,” Thomason said. “I’m going to look at the film and find things that we need to get better at. Our challenge is to play better the next time we step onto the court.”

Let’s see: Sierra — now 2-0 in the Valley Oak League and 11-3 ocerall while riding a five-game win streak —turned it over just 14 times, outrebounded the Lancers 46-20 and had its patented inside-outside halfcourt game working to near-perfection.

And there’s the big fat zero East Union (1-1, 7-6), a dangerous offensive team with its stable of perimeter gunners, posted in the fourth quarter. Sierra’s starters were benched with 3 minutes remaining.

“I didn’t even realize it,” Thomason said. “What can you say? We didn’t let up and we sustained our effort (despite) rotating guys.”

Will Ward, a solidly-built 6-foot-5 center, had 17 points and 12 rebounds, Guillermo Nunez contributed 14 points and Eddie Andrade sank three 3-pointers en route to scoring 13 points.

Sierra closed the first quarter with a 10-0 run for a 15-6 lead and was up 32-19 at halftime.

Friday’s contest was a reunion of two sophomore standouts, Nunez being one of them. On the other side was good friend Jordan Kron, East Union’s three-sport star who led the varsity squad in scoring as a freshman last season.

“We grew up together,” said Nunez, adding that they were teammates on Catholic Youth Organization and Amateur Athletic Union squads. “I was excited to play East Union.”

Kron couldn’t get it going all night and didn’t contribute a point. TeeJay Gordon kept East Union within range early, scoring 11 of his team-high 14 points in the first half.

“Their defense dictated what we did,” East Union coach Brett Lewis said. “All of our shots were tough, they didn’t give us much driving lanes and that’s our game — getting to the rim and finish, get fouled our kick it out to a teammate.

“But tonight their ‘D’ was just much better than our offense. I hope this is a wake-up call for us.”

Thomason is betting on it.

“East Union’s better than that — we know that,” Thomason said. “We know that next time we play them it’s going to be a different game. They’re a good team that’s going to come back strong.”