bak218b

SoCal High School & Prep Report

Bakersfield Report: Tuesday's
Game Results & Highlights--(February 18, 1998)

Tehachipi 71, Garces 61

There were a bunch of games played during the last week of the regular season in South Sequoia, South Yosemite, and other Bakersfield and Southern Central Valley leagues. And one of the biggest games was played by Tehacipi which beat visiting Garces 71-61.

Despite a rousing victory Tuesday night which forced a tie for the South Sequoia League championship, the Tehachapi High boys basketball team already had its sights set on a loftier goal - the Central Section Division III title. But first things first, the regular-season finale against Garces. The Warriors felt sheer satisfaction and exuberance after defeating the visiting Rams for the fifth time in six tries, 71-61, leaving both teams with 8-2 league records.

To Tehachapi (18-4), it was just another victory, or maybe an explanation as to why the Warriors were able to play relaxed, confident, team-oriented basketball against a Garces team which wanted to enter next week's Division IV section playoffs on a positive note. It may have been just another game for the Warriors, but it was hardly just another loss for Garces (17-8, 8-2 SSL). The Rams continue to have an excruciatingly difficult time with Tehachapi, which has defeated them four straight times. Sparking Tuesday's win was 6-foot-5 senior center Jeremiah Watts, who scored a career-high 28 points and was the beneficiary of numerous brilliant penetration moves and assists by senior point guard Abe Guerrero. Eight of Watts' points came during the Warriors' 14-4 run to open the third quarter, which turned a 28-25 halftime deficit into a 39-32 lead. Tehachapi never trailed again. Tehachapi opened the second half with Guerrero's strong drive and layup for two of his 10 points. After Garces senior Josh Perez followed his own shot for two of his 21 points, Watts hit a layup. Tehachapi senior Mike Seville then added a layup of his own for Tehachapi's first lead, 31-30. More importantly, the basket really seemed to light a fire under the team, which played with tenacity and vigor the rest of the game. Montoya did not score until early in the third quarter and finished with just eight points, well below his season average of 18 points. It was this strong defense which translated into confidence, good ball movement and penetration at the offensive end. Seville also finished with 10 points. Michael Hall, Matt Thompson and Jeremiah Jackson all scored six points, adding proof to Walker's theory that team-oriented basketball is the best basketball. Tehachapi closed the third quarter with a 47-45 lead after Larry Busch came off the bench cold, grabbed an offensive rebound, scored the basket and drew a foul with no time remaining. Garces got within 53-52 on Josh Atkins' layup and 59-55 on Montoya's free throw. But Tehachapi scored the next nine points to put the game on ice. Not bad for a team coming off a triple-overtime upset loss at Shafter last Friday.

West High 48, Stockdale 41

West High clinched a share of its first boys basketball league title since 1993 on Tuesday with a 48-41 victory over host Stockdale. DeShun Jackson scored 14 points and Warren Sumlin added 10 as West improved to 5-2 in the Southwest Yosemite League, moving a game ahead of Stockdale. The teams began the night tied for first, but the Vikings (17-8 overall) can win the league title outright with a victory over North on Friday. West beat North when the teams met two weeks ago, 74-47. West took control in the first quarter, outscoring Stockdale (4-3, 10-14) 13-7. West put the game away in the fourth quarter after Stockdale had pulled within four points with less than four minutes to play. Stockdale made a steal and had a two-on-one fast break, but missed a layup. West rebounded and converted two foul shots to stretch the lead to six and end the comeback. West shared the South Yosemite League title with East in 1993. James Johnson led Stockdale with 10 points.

South 74, North 59

At South, J.R. Washington and Tony Henry scored 14 points apiece and Kevin Kizzy had 12 to lead the Rebels. Henry had nine rebounds. Charles Clark led North with 22 points.

Shafter 74, Wasco 41

Jimmy Laughlin led Shafter with 15 points. Nathan Penner also had three treys and finished with 13 points, while Jordan Lewis added 14 points. Jeff Waldrip paced Wasco with 12 points, all on 3-pointers.

Delano 80, Tulare Western 63

Ignacio Ramirez scored 12, Billy Mamaril had 11 and Ruben Saldana and J.P. Pagalan had 10 each to lead the
Tigers

Bakersfield 60, Highland 55

At Highland, Terrence Dunn scored 23 points to lead the Drillers to the Southeast Yosemite League win. Highland led 49-48 midway through the fourth quarter, but the Drillers put together a 12-6 run to seal the win. Al Williams added 11 points for BHS (21-4, 7-0 SEYL). Datrimell Mayberry and Shon Hayden scored 14 and 11 points, respectively for the Scots.

East 65, Arvin 57

At East, the Blades used a fourth-quarter press, came up with a few steals and outscored Arvin 16-8 to come away with the Southeast Yosemite league victory. Lendl Henderson led the Blades (12-10, 5-3) with 16 points. Nate Peterson added 12 and Steve Carter had 11. Arvin's Ruben Ramirez led all scoers with 21.