CURRENT WEATHER
Follow @TheSierraStar
REPORTERS & COLUMNISTS
The Chieftains of Sierra High (12-5, 1-1) rolled into Oakhurst Jan. 17 as one of the teams favored to win the North Sequoia League basketball championship this season. However, the Yosemite Badgers (9-9, 2-0) showed the Chieftains and the rest of the league that they will also be a force to contend with by defeating the Chieftains 80-66.
The very next night, after scoring just three points in the first half, the Yosemite girls team made a strong second half comeback to beat Sierra 44-39. It was Sierra that ended the lady Badgers 72 league game winning streak last year on the Badger's home court.
The boys victory avenges a 77-42 blowout delivered to Yosemite by the Chieftains at the recent December Immanuel Tournament.
Yosemite was led by point guard Cory Skerce. Skerce led the Badgers with a career high 27 points as he ran the point to perfection. Skerce also led the team in assists (6) and rebounds (7). Skerce has averaged nearly 19 points per game in his last five outings.
Yosemite had a great shooting night from beyond the arc. The Badgers hit 11 3-point shots to go along with solid play in the paint when needed.
"We are continuing to improve," said head coach Aaron Eames. "The biggest difference in our team now versus early in the season is our defense. We have upped our defensive intensity. I see our team getting tougher. Our defense creates scoring opportunities for our offense."
Both teams started out hot, combining for seven 3-pointers in the first quarter, with Sierra getting 5. The Blunt brothers, Casey and Jake, one of the best guard combos in the league, led Sierra to a slim 17-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Mascola's trifecta
A drive by backup forward McKay Glines put the Badgers up 18-17 at the start of the second quarter. The play from Yosemite's bench was solid all night. Both defenses tightened as Sierra employed a 3-2 zone defense as the teams teams traded buckets in the second quarter. There were five lead changes.
Then Badger forward Robert Mascola took over. Mascola hit two 3-pointers. Another 3 by Skerce gave Yosemite a 30-25 lead. After two free-throws by Jannick Hartmann, Mascola hit another 3, getting the "trifecta," all in the second quarter. The Badgers took a 35-29 lead into halftime. It was a lead they would never relinquish. It was easily the most exciting half this season for the Badgers.
Yosemite got off to a fast start in the third period. Skerce hit a quick 3-pointer and the Badgers jumped off to a 6-0 start and led 41-29. Sierra then went to a full-court press. It was initially effective. Sierra's Alex Rath had a 3-point play and the Chieftains closed the gap to 43-36, but the Badgers answered on a layup by Jason Pol, a Skerce 3-point play and a 3 by Justin McMillen. All of a sudden Yosemite was up 50-36.
Sierra went on a 6-0 run, but Casey Blunt was called for a technical. Skerce hit both the free-throws and had a 3-point play on the next possession. The Badgers finished a wild third period up 62-50. The Badgers scored a season high 27 points in the period.
Sierra did not go away easily. The Chieftains closed to 62-54 capitalizing on three straight Badger turnovers. Yosemite's Luke Blate hit a huge 3-point shot to change the momentum. Pol had two key buckets and the Badger D stepped it up. Yosemite finished a strong fourth quarter winning 80-66.
Badger stats
McMillen had a breakout game with 15 points and 6 boards. Getting double digitscoring from McMillen is huge.Pol had 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Pol outplayed Sierra's center Rath, who had 24 against Yosemite in the December meeting.
Mascola had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Mascola is becoming a threat from the 3-point line. Jannick Hartmann had 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Casey Blunt and Jake Blunt finished with 18 and 16 points respectively for Sierra. Derek Austrum had 16 points and Alex Rath 11.
YHS vs. Liberty-Madera Ranchos
Last Friday, Yosemite traveled to the Madera Ranchos to face the Liberty Hawks. Yosemite beat Liberty in December 46-42. The Badgers broke open a close game in the second half to win 67-52 and get their second league league win.
"I told the team this could be a trap game," said Eames. "They played us tough earlier and we just came off an emotional win against Sierra. We played great in the second half to win this one."
Yosemite jumped out to a 14-8 lead hitting four 3-pointers. Mascola continued his 3-point touch hitting two of those. Reserve Bronson Booth also hit a 3-pointer.
Liberty crept back in the second period, mostly on inside buckets. Yosemite was without the services of Pol. Inside points would come at a premium, but back-up Glines was up to the task getting 6 points in the second.
Yosemite's play on the perimeter would tip the balance. McMillen continued his hot shooting hitting two key 3-point shots. The Badgers had a 32-27 lead at the half. Overall, Yosemite had eight 3's in the first half.
Hartmann and McMillen were key in a 14-2 run to put Yosemite up 46-29 midway through the third quarter. Liberty made a run at the Badgers, but a Blate 3-pointer righted the ship. The Hawks had no answer for the Badger play on the perimeter.
Yosemite ended the third quarter up 53-36. The Badgers were not seriously threatened running away with a 62-49 win.
"We had 14 three pointers," said assistant coach Steve Lopez. "Our reserves played well. Our conditioning is also improving which makes us so much stronger in the fourth quarter."
Hartmann led the Badgers with 18 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. McMillen had another solid outing with 12 points and led the Badgers with 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Mascola had 9 points and 5 boards. Blate also had 9 points.
Jannick Hartmann led the Badgers with 18 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. Justin
McMillen had another solid outing with 12 points and led the Badgers with 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Mascola had 9 points and 5 boards. Blate also had 9 points, all on 3- point shooting. Glines and Booth had 8 and 3 respectively. Glines also came away with 3 steals to lead the Badgers. Skerce added 8 points, 4 assists and 2 steals.
Yosemite played at Washington Union on Tuesday. Union, always tough at hime, was defeated by Chowchilla last Friday 54-44. Results were not available at press time. The Badgers host Chowchilla tomorrow (Friday) along with the girls teams. Girls JV, 4 p.m.; boys JV, 5:15 p.m.; girls varsity, 6:30 p.m.; boys varsity 8 p.m.
Boys league scores - Jan. 17
Yosemite 80, Sierra 66
Washington Union 75, Kerman 40
Chowchilla 67, Liberty 50
Boys league scores - Jan. 20
Yosemite (9-9, 2-0) 67, Liberty (6-7, 0-1) 52
Chowchilla (8-2, 1-0) 54, Washington Union (7-8, 1-1 ) 44
Sierra (13-5, 1-1) 52, Kerman (6-7, 0-2) 44
