ARBUCKLE, CA (MPG) – Sports psychology tells us that underdogs often find success due to factors that include rising to meet a challenge, controlling their effort, energy and attitude along with doubling down on their strengths.
It is precisely those traits that were on display last Friday night when the Pierce boys’ basketball team evened it record in Sacramento Valley League play with a 59-50 upset win over the visiting Colusa RedHawks.
“They played their hearts out tonight,” said first year head coach Justin Mathews, himself a former Bear standout. “We knew that Colusa had advantages in height and numbers and that we were the underdogs, but these guys have worked their tails off all season and it’s starting to come together. We wanted this one and it showed in the way they hustled all game long.”
At the onset though, Pierce found itself trailing 8-11 following a first quarter marked by turnovers, and although the Bears made up the deficit and built a three-point advantage of their own, the RedHawks’ Kaleb Castanon hit a deep three at the buzzer to tie the score at 24 heading into the locker room at the half.
In the second half, the physicality increased, but the two teams matched each other making the score 44-44 heading into the final period.
But down the stretch, it was Pierce putting into practice what Mathews had been preaching about rebounding as Esteban Valencia took control in the paint, scoring nine of his 13 points in the quarter and keeping the RedHawks off the glass.
“He hit some clutch free throws after getting fouled near the end of the game and pulled down some key rebounds,” said Mathews of his junior big man.
Also making a significant impact was guard JR Figueroa, who facilitated the offense in addition to scoring a game-high 19 points.
Despite being in early foul trouble Colin Dye finished with eight rebounds and six points, while Damian Ambriz pitched in with eight points.
Meanwhile for Colusa, Castanon and Cooper Ayala led the RedHawks with 16 and 11 points respectively, although no one else was able to find much of a rhythm.
Both squads were back in action this week with the fourth place Bears (6-11, 2-2) hosting East Nicolaus tonight, while Colusa (8-10, 3-1), the SVL’s second place team, was home to Willows on Tuesday before making its way to Winters this evening.