Boys' Basketball: El Cerrito Edges San Marin 56-52
The Gauchos control last three quarters and survive a late scare to move to 3-0.
El Cerrito 56, San Marin 52
Records: El Cerrito 3-0, San Marin 2-3
The Star: Jabri Jenkins led the Gauchos with 21 points.
The Turning Point: El Cerrito found its tempo early in the second quarter and with its full court press throughout the game, controlled the Mustangs from that point until the final buzzer.
The Quote: "I asked him to be a leader this year and he's done a good job, not to mention he's almost scoring 20 (points) per game," said Gauchos coach Michael Booker of Jenkins.
Who's Next? El Cerrito will travel to Gridley, just south of Oroville, to play in the Gridley Invitational this weekend. They play Sacramento this Friday at 5:30 p.m.
The Bottom Line: The Gauchos look to use the early-season three-game win streak to add to their win total this weekend.
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After El Cerrito High boys basketball coach Michael Booker watched film of San Marin, he knew his team would have to use a full-court press to give the Mustangs' half-court offense a challenge.
It turned out to be a great game plan.
The Gauchos controlled the final three quarters and survived a late scare in a 56-52 home victory Tuesday night.
"They're a half court team. We really wanted to press them on that," he said.
Bookers' strategy needed to stretch the full 32 minutes. Up 53-44 with two minutes left in the fourth quarter, San Marin charged back to close the deficit to just two points. But after Jabri Jenkins was intentionally fouled in the waning seconds, he sank two free throws to put the game away for good.
"We came out slow and coach settled us down, and then we started running our offense the way we're supposed to," Jenkins said.
Bookers' is looking for Jenkins to play a leadership role this season.
"I asked him to be a leader this year and he's done a good job, not to mention he's almost scoring 20 (points) per game," said Gauchos coach Michael Booker of Jenkins.
The Gauchos trailed after the first, down 15-13, but fought back to tie the game at 21. Jenkins would score six-straight points to give El Cerrito the only lead it would need.
"We try to strive to push tempo and as we started, we started to push more," Jenkins said.
The Gauchos' offense steadied as the game went. Jenkins in particular was fed the rock by point guard Bobby Syvanthong during key points in the game for easy baskets.
Booker attributes the tandem's rhythm on the fact that both want to increase their chances of advancing in the CIF Division III state basketball championships. The Gauchos fell in the regional semi-finals to Bishop O'Dowd 52-38.
"They're looking to do go further than they did last year. They're playing hard and just got to keep going," Booker said.
El Cerrito's defense held the Mustangs' to just nine points in the second and third quarters, thanks in large part to their constant pressure from the opening tip.
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El Cerrito 56, San Marin 52
San Marin 15 9 9 19 – 52
El Cerrito 13 14 12 17 - 56
San Marin
Zirkie 1 2-4 4, Glennon 3 1-2 7, Stothis 2 0-0 4, Seavey 1 1-2 4, Burrows 1 6-10 8, Wesonga 7 8-13 25. Totals 15 18-31 52.
El Cerrito
Nelson 0 2-2 2, Syvanthong 3 2-4 10, Vaugh 1 0-0 2, Williams 1 0-0 2, Jenkins 7 7-8 21, Keith 1 0-0 2, Pippins 1 0-0 2, Johnson 3 2-2 8, Koon 1 0-0 2, Condor 2 0-0 7. Totals 20 13-16 56.
3-Point Field Goals – Seavey, Wesonga, Condor. Technical Fouls – None.
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DJ
12:13 pm on Thursday, March 3, 2011
EVERY GAME ITS A GOOD TIME OUT AND COACH BOOKER AND HIS TEAM ARE CLASSY AND THEY PLAY THE RIGHT WAY THE HOME GAMES ARE ENTERTAINING WITH MUSIC ETC. THEY ARE BUILDING A PROGRAM WHICH WILL ATTRACT FANS AND ATHLETHES BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE GAUCHO PROGRAM