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Up-and-down week for Badgers

Mike Hackworth

(Updated: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 12:00 AM)

The problem with playing three games in a week is that there is little time to regroup after each game and no time to practice.

The Yosemite Badgers (7-15, 2-6 NSL) boys basketball team learned that lesson playing the Liberty Hawks (5-17, 1-5 NSL) in Madera on Tuesday, and then hosting the Hawks on Wednesday and the Washinton Union Panthers (18-10, 8-0 NSL) on Friday of last week.

Liberty 50, Yosemite 38, Feb. 9

The Badgers could not hold onto the lead in the fourth quarter after leading by a point 26-25 at the half to fall to the Liberty Hawks Tuesday. After the Hawks tied the score with 4:18 remaining in the third quarter, the Badgers fought an uphill battle despite seven fourth quarter turnover by Liberty.

The Hawks, aided by a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter, relied on free throws down the stretch to capitalize on Yosemite mistakes. Liberty shot 18 of 26 from the free throw line. The Badgers were led by Harley Glines and Detri Dunn with nine points each. Dunn was five of six from the free throw line.

Liberty's Jordan Chase had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Yosemite 45, Liberty 40, Feb. 10

It was a determined Badgers team that met the Liberty Hawks in the Harry Baker Gym on Wednesday evening.

The Badgers, who were dumped by the Hawks the nigh before, came out with their game face in place and held the Hawks to just 16 first half points and then held the team from Madera Ranchos at bay in the second half to seal the victory.

Supported by junior Cody Essary's six steals and 13 points, including a pair of timely 3-pointers, the Badgers played aggressive basketball for four quarters. Glines led Yosemite scorers with 15 points and Liberty's Chase was the game's top scorers with 18 points.

Washington Union 55, Yosemite 41, Feb. 12

The Badgers were unable to make it two wins out of three on the week, falling to the league leading Washinton Union Panthers on Friday evening. The Badgers offense was nearly non-existant in the first and third quarters, scoring two and nine points respectively.

The Yosemite defense, one of the league leaders in fewest points allowed held the Panthers to just eight points in the fourth quarter.

Dunn had 16 points in the loss for the Badgers who turned the ball over nine times in the first half and the Panthers scored 16 points as a result of the turnovers.

The Badgers played Chowchilla Wednesday, scores were unavailable at presstime.

The team's season finale starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Kerman.