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Perhaps Reedley point
guard Jon Lepp summed it up best. "We definitely struggled,
but we prevailed," Lepp commented following the Pirates' 68-56
victory over the Sanger Apaches.
The Pirates, sporting a
nifty 9-2 record going into their first tilt of the new year, may have
thought that their neighborhood rival would quietly bow before them.
But after Lepp's drive gave the Pirates a 2-0 lead, the Apaches reeled
off nine straight points, and Coach Darren Minami immediately knew
that the hometown Sanger squad would not go quietly into the night.
What ensued was a competitive if not pretty struggle that found the
Pirates trailing 45-44 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter
the Pirates increased their defensive pressure, forcing the Apaches
into numerous errors. Still trailing 48-47 in the early moments
of the final quarter, the Pirates turned in a key sequence which
propelled them to victory. First Abel Lucca scored off of a fine
assist from Lepp. Then the Pirates garnered a turnover and Lucca
fed Jon Wallen for another bucket. Then Wallen returned the
favor, turning a steal into a pass to Lucca for a lay-up and a 52-47
lead. Moments later Lucca arched a three pointer into the net
off of an assist from Lepp. The lead was suddenly up to
eight and the Pirates never looked back.
In the final minute
Sanger was obliged to foul. Three hacks to Lepp's arms led to
six consecutive free throws and the final 12 point margin of victory.
The Pirates were
led in scoring by Lucca with 22, 14 coming in the second half.
Junior Colin Hofer had another solid game, scoring 16 including 14 in
the first half. Lepp added 14 on three baskets and eight free
throws.
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