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Coach Darren Minami's
Reedley squad suffered their first loss of the season to the Delano
Tigers in a second round game of the Polly Wilhelmsen Tournament.
The 71-61 final scored lowered the Pirates' season record to 8-1.
With the victory the athletic Tigers improved to 8-3.
The Pirates fell behind
in the opening seconds of the contest and spent the entire game trying
to catch the Tigers. Reedley moved within one point of Delano,
16-15, early in the sescond quarter on the strength of four
consecutive points by Jon Lepp. Delano answered with a 15-2 run
that stretched the lead to 31-17. The Pirates' Jon Wallen
answered with two baskets, and Abel Lucca added a three, to pull the
PIrates within six, 31-25, at the conclusion of the first half.
The Pirates were within
two at 35-33 after 2:20 of the third quarter following a brilliant
assist and two three pointers by Colin Hofer. But the Tigers
showed their resolve, withstanding the Pirates' charge and took a
54-43 lead entering the final quarter.
The Pirates made a
final charge in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to 64-61 with
1:18 left in the game following another basket by Hofer. But
Luis Gomez answered with a strong base line drive to put the game out
of reach.
On the night the
Pirates were outrebounded unofficially 32-17, giving up numerous
second shots to the Tigers. The rebounding difference plus a
mediocre shooting night combined to foil the Pirates' chances.
The Pirates were led in
scoring by Jon Wallen with 15. Hofer tallied 14, Lepp 13 and
Lucca 11.
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