In last Friday’s Sierra Valley Conference, the Cordova High School boys basketball team got off to a hot-shooting start in the first quarter against Liberty Ranch.

Moving the ball around the perimeter on a continual basis, the Lancers ended the first eight minutes of their contest against the Hawks. But Liberty Ranch came and ended the contest undefeated at 21-0 and 4-0 in conference with a come-from-behind 77-60 win over Cordova (4-1 in the SVC, 12-10) at The Hawks’ Nest in Galt. The loss puts the Lancers in second place in conference.

Cordova made five three-pointers in the first quarter that developed into a 25-23 lead. Then the Lancers used offensive rebounds that led to an 11-5 run, thanks to baskets and treys from Mike Brown and Jason Novik for a 36-28 lead halfway through the second quarter.

“The tempo was real fast for the guys,” said Cordova coach Fletcher Johnson. “Making shots was the main thing.”

But Liberty Ranch ended the quarter with its own run at 17-4. Hawks guard Isaiah Halsey, who made 4-of-6 in the first quarter, calmly sank his free shots that included the go-ahead lead at 41-40 with 2:30 remaining. He scored 17 of his points in the first 16 minutes of the game and made 10-of-15 free throws for 27 points in the game. Liberty Ranch led 45-40 at halftime.

Two minutes into the third quarter, Liberty Ranch’s defense forced Cordova into three turnovers. That led to a 7-0 run and a 52-40 lead.

Rebounds played a role for the Hawks in the second half. Most of their 40 boards came during this time. Cordova finished with 25 and had limited shots that gave Liberty Ranch a 63-46 lead and coasted for the win.

“What we wanted to do right out of the gate is not give up a ton of offensive rebounds, which they did,” Johnson said.

Cordova guard Damion Baldwin had 12 points. Angel Garcia and William Moore followed with 10 points each. Novik had seven points.

Cordova 51, El Dorado 36

In an SVC road game on Jan. 19th, the Lancers’ offense led to a 28-19 halftime lead. Cordova continued to outscore El Dorado 23-17 in the second half.

Wilkins had 16 points for the Lancers. Najee Clark followed with 11 points, Baldwin six and Brown four.

Last night, Cordova hosted Galt to start the second round of conference play. Next Tuesday, Feb. 2nd, the Lancers play at Union Mine and Thursday, Feb. 4th host El Dorado. Game times for both are scheduled for 7 p.m.