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Wyatt makes immediate impact
BBSK--Lincoln Tourney-Sierra pic 3
Sierras Daniel Wyatt soars toward the basket against Center in first-round action of the Adidas Trojan Christmas Classic at Lincoln High of Stockton - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL/ The Bulletin

STOCKTON – Less than 48 hours removed from a California Division IV-A state football championship, Sierra’s Daniel Wyatt took to the hardwood Monday and showed he has not missed a step, getting four steals and eight points in the second period alone on the way to a 64-40 win over Center of Antelope in opening-round action of the Adidas Trojan Christmas Classic at Lincoln High School.

“He changes our dynamics a little bit,” Timberwolves coach Scott Thomason said of Wyatt. “You saw some of his athletic ability the first half getting steals making great passes.

“He has to get his legs back into it while making sure he doesn’t try to do too much right now but it is good to have him back.”

Wyatt finished with 10 points, five steals and two assists in less than two quarters of action.

“It feels good,” Wyatt said. “I am glad to get back out here with my brothers. I am getting ready for this season, but it’ll take me a few days to get into basketball shape.”

Sierra’s Jess Spivey started the night’s scoring with a 3-pointer and gave the Timberwolves a lead they would not relinquish, leading all scorers with 19 points along with eight rebounds.

“I am shooting well with a lot of confidence now,” Spivey said. “My teammates are finding me when I am wide open.”

Sierra (7-2) ended the first half on a 18-4 run.

“I like the way we jumped on them in the first half and the last two or three minutes of the half when we extended our lead,” Thomason said. “We shared the ball well and had good balance. “

Victor Elijah added 10 points for the Timberwolves and Noah Ault had three 3-pointers for nine points.

“I thought Noah Ault hit some big 3-pointers,” Thomason said. “But I don’t think we played for 32 minutes. I am a little disappointed in that.

“I didn’t like the last four or five minutes of the game – there is a standard to be met in our program.”

Arkadiy Zakharov led the Cougars (0-7) with 13 points.

Sierra plays Modesto today in semifinal action at 8 p.m.