Coming out focused to take on a winless opponent proved not to be a challenge for the Sierra High boys basketball team in its 68-31 thrashing of Lathrop High Wednesday in Valley Oak League action.
Sierra (9-3 VOL, 16-7) opened behind solid post play from sophomore William Ward who scored in the paint as well as from behind the arc. Ward nailed a 3-pointer for his first points of the game, but made it clear that he earns his keep down-low.
“Size wise, Will Ward is a big kid,” Lathrop head coach J.J. Ramirez said. “Our plan was to double from our passer, but we were just a little late on our rotations.
“He is strong inside and he played extremely tough tonight.”
Ward was too powerful a force inside and Sierra captain Trevor Nogueira got things going from the perimeter. Nogueira came out and scored eight first-quarter points, but really provided some separation when he got Sierra going with a 3-pointer early in the second on an behind-the-back assist from Eddie Andrade.
Nogueira scored all of his 15 points before the halfway point of the third quarter, handing the reins over to his Sierra backcourt mates to control the remainder of the contest. Guards Allan Sampayan and John Lenoci teamed up with senior Udoka Uwakwe to keep Sierra cruising, handling their offensive and defensive game plans without hindrance.
“That is what we expect out of our bench,” Sierra head coach Scott Thomason said. “There is no such thing as garbage time that would be disrespectful if we stopped doing what we are supposed to be doing. We talked about it before the game, when we bring our bench players in we should be better.
“They have a chance to look at what’s going on before they step on the court, everything should be better.”
Uwakwe made his minutes count, racking up nine points in the fourth period to pace Sierra. Ward tied Nogueira with a game-high 15 points, while Umar Muriset led the Spartans (0-12, 0-22) with 10. Aivery Lewis added nine fro Lathrop.
Sierra will roll out the welcome mats for the Sonora Wildcats Friday, hopefully riding a solid performance against the Spartans into its final league meeting with the Wildcats.
“We have to deliver the first blow,” Thomason said. “We are a much better team when we get off to a good start. At this point, we don’t care who they put in front of us, we’ve got to take care of business.
“We want to be playing our best basketball and make sure we’re peaking if we get a chance to make it to the postseason.”
Sierra (9-3 VOL, 16-7) opened behind solid post play from sophomore William Ward who scored in the paint as well as from behind the arc. Ward nailed a 3-pointer for his first points of the game, but made it clear that he earns his keep down-low.
“Size wise, Will Ward is a big kid,” Lathrop head coach J.J. Ramirez said. “Our plan was to double from our passer, but we were just a little late on our rotations.
“He is strong inside and he played extremely tough tonight.”
Ward was too powerful a force inside and Sierra captain Trevor Nogueira got things going from the perimeter. Nogueira came out and scored eight first-quarter points, but really provided some separation when he got Sierra going with a 3-pointer early in the second on an behind-the-back assist from Eddie Andrade.
Nogueira scored all of his 15 points before the halfway point of the third quarter, handing the reins over to his Sierra backcourt mates to control the remainder of the contest. Guards Allan Sampayan and John Lenoci teamed up with senior Udoka Uwakwe to keep Sierra cruising, handling their offensive and defensive game plans without hindrance.
“That is what we expect out of our bench,” Sierra head coach Scott Thomason said. “There is no such thing as garbage time that would be disrespectful if we stopped doing what we are supposed to be doing. We talked about it before the game, when we bring our bench players in we should be better.
“They have a chance to look at what’s going on before they step on the court, everything should be better.”
Uwakwe made his minutes count, racking up nine points in the fourth period to pace Sierra. Ward tied Nogueira with a game-high 15 points, while Umar Muriset led the Spartans (0-12, 0-22) with 10. Aivery Lewis added nine fro Lathrop.
Sierra will roll out the welcome mats for the Sonora Wildcats Friday, hopefully riding a solid performance against the Spartans into its final league meeting with the Wildcats.
“We have to deliver the first blow,” Thomason said. “We are a much better team when we get off to a good start. At this point, we don’t care who they put in front of us, we’ve got to take care of business.
“We want to be playing our best basketball and make sure we’re peaking if we get a chance to make it to the postseason.”
