COLUSA, CA (MPG) – It’s been a rollercoaster ride of a season for the RedHawk boys’ basketball team and last Friday night was no exception, as despite being up 10 points on the visiting East Nicolaus Spartans, they had to hold on down the stretch to escape with the 47-44 victory in the Sacramento Valley League contest.
A cold start for both teams, the Spartans held a one-point advantage after the first period, yet Colusa regrouped in the second quarter to take a 21-19 lead into the locker room at the half.
Continuing to hold the momentum in the third, the RedHawks were better on the boards and able to capitalize on second chance opportunities.
However, the scrappy East Nicolaus squad, despite having lost in its previous five outings, fought back to within three with 39 seconds remaining.
Adding to the drama was that Colusa was unable to score on its ensuing possession, leaving the Spartans with five seconds to try and tie the game.
Fortunately for the RedHawks however, the attempt fell short.
Emi Guzman turned in a solid effort on both ends of the court and finished with a team-high 11 points, while Kaeden Stallcop and Kaleb Castanon chipped in with 10 points apiece.
With the win Colusa ended a three-game skid that included a 38-55 loss to Paradise on the road on Jan. 26, along with a 46-57 setback to Durham on Jan. 28.
Statistics from those games were not provided.
This week the RedHawks (10-13, 5-4) entertained Futures (Sacramento) in a non-conference affair on Wednesday, ahead of its SVL showdown with Pierce on Thursday.