Defense Carries Cordova Hoops to More Wins
Feb 03, 2016 12:00AM ● By By Mike Bush
Cordova guard Damion Baldwin battles for a loose ball with a Rosemont player during a recent SVC game. Baldwin and the Lancers are 6-1 in conference action. Photo by Rick Sloan
After finishing the first half of Sierra Valley Conference action early last week, the Cordova High School boys basketball team opened the second half against Galt at home.
The Lancers’ consistent pressure on defense in the second quarter broke open a close game that led to a 64-49 win over the Warriors on January 28th. Cordova remains in second place in the SVC at 6-1 and 14-10, one game back behind first place Liberty Ranch, which is 7-0 and 24-0.
The game was tied was tied at 11-11. Then Cordova boxed out Warrior players around the net in the second quarter. The result led to a 20-10 advantage and the Lancers taking a 31-21 halftime lead.
“We just got it going [in the second quarter],” said Cordova head coach Fletcher Johnson. “We stepped it up on defense.”
Defensive pressure continued to favor the Lancers in the second half. That led to outscoring the Warriors 33-28 for the win.
Lancer swingman Mike Brown was the leading scorer with 15 points. DeAnte Wilkins followed with 12 points. Other Cordova scorers were guard Jason Novik with nine points and Kyle Lorena, another guard, with eight.
Cordova 63, Rosemont 55
The Lancers trailed 38-28 at halftime against the Wolverines in a Jan. 26th home game.
Then Cordova used a variety of zone defenses to shutdown Rosemont in the third quarter. The result was holding its visitors to four points and rallied to take a 58-32 lead.
“The first half was competitive, very close game,” Johnson said. “When we went to our zone defenses (2-3, 3-2 and 1-3-1) we stepped up the intensity.”
Novik was hot for the Lancers in scoring in both halves of the game. He had 27 points that included four 3-pointers and sank 7-of-8 free throws.
Wilkins also had the hot shooting hand for the Warriors with 18 points. That included four 3-pointers.
“They did make a nice 1-2 punch,” said Johnson of Novik and Wilkins.
Last night, Thursday, Cordova continued SVC action hosting El Dorado.
Next Tuesday, the Lancers play their final home game of the regular season when they face Liberty Ranch. In their first meeting last month, Cordova jumped out to an early lead but the Hawks rallied to post a 77-60 win.
Next Thursday, Feb. 11th, Cordova will close out the regular season at Rosemont. Game times for both games are 7 p.m.
