Cougars’ press too much for Oakdale
WESTON RANCH— When the Weston Ranch varsity basketball team gained control of the opening tip of Wednesday’s contest against Oakdale High, the Cougars unleashed an offensive onslaught that left the Mustangs in an 18-2 grave in which they could find no way out of during the Cougars’ 61-48 victory.Weston Ranch scored the games first 12 points on its way to a 23-8 first quarter lead that displayed a barrage of dunks and long distance 3-pointers. While the Cougars played flawlessly in the opening period, they found themselves fighting off a resilient Oakdale team which cut the Cougar lead to single digits early in the second half.“Jumping out to a lead like that I really think the kids took it as this one would be a little easy,” Weston Ranch head coach Bill Slikker said. “I’ll give Oakdale a lot of credit though, they played really well.”
The Cougars’ complacent style after posting a huge lead led to some easy Oakdale baskets, and decreased the Oakdale deficit to seven points before a Weston Ranch third quarter push.“We kind of fell asleep for a second after we got the lead,” Weston Ranch senior Jerrell Walker said.
“Then we went to the press, we knew we had to finish up this game.”The press drove the Mustangs into a series of turnovers, which gave Weston Ranch the offensive opportunities it needed to put Oakdale away.
“They have some real good athletes over there. They run well, jump well, and they are a real quick group,” Mustangs leading scorer Fabian Lopez said. “Their defensive press gave them a lot of layups and pulled them right back in the game.“I give them all the props, they’ve got some studs.”
Weston Ranch got a superb effort from its front court, with James Nunnally,
Walter Jackson, and Walker combining for 51 points.“(Wednesday) we were looking to get some points off of our press,” Slikker said. “Anytime you can score some points off the press its a bonus.“Our big guys were able to get back and get some easy buckets.”
Jackson led all scorers with a 20 point, seven rebound effort, while Walker finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.Nunnally swiped seven steals to go along with his 15 points and four assists in the Cougar victory, which saw starting guard Brandon Silva go down with an ankle injury.Vinnie Devencenzi came off the bench to spark the Cougars in Silva’s absence.“This is Vinnie’s fourth year with me, so I know exactly what I can count on from him,” Slikker said.
“He’s my coach on the floor. He always has been a calming force for our team.“He’s one of those players that would go through a wall if you asked him.”Devencenzi finished the contest with five points and five steals in valuable minutes throughout the second half.“When people go down we have to pick each other up, and come in and work hard to contribute,” Devencenzi said. “I give it all I can every game. If I don’t I let myself down as well as my team.”The Cougars (6-1, 16-4) will look to stay on the right track when they travel to Sonora Friday to take on the Wildcats.
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/articles/2007/01/25/sports/sports2.txt
THE JACKSON SHOW
Walter Jackson ignites Weston Ranch in first-place showdown
There was a lot of talk about “statements” heading into Friday night’s boys basketball game pitting Sierra, who had started the season 5-0 in Valley Oak League play and Weston Ranch, whose only loss came at the hands of the same Ceres team Sierra handled easily on its home court.
Statement game?
When the final buzzer sounded and the smoke had cleared, the scoreboard did all the talking: Weston Ranch 68, Sierra 43.
Statement made.
“This was a big game in league, we needed this one,” Weston Ranch guard Brandon Silva said. “They were the only unbeaten, and now it’s all even.”
The Cougars came out of the tunnel prior to shootaround focused and ready to handle their business.
After Walter Jackson won the tip and the ball found its way into Mic’eal Thomas’ hands, Weston Ranch went to work.
The Cougars wasted no time pulling ahead, after James Nunnally sank a layup and drew contact for an and-1 opportunity just 10 seconds into the contest, it was clear that the Timberwolves could settle for nothing less than their A-game.
When Sierra hit just one of its first 16 shots, and finished the first quarter down 13-4, the handwriting was on the wall.
Jackson collected two fouls just 44 seconds into the contest which forced Cougars head coach Bill Slikker to call on Reggie Spiers for the majority of the first half.
Spiers played well in Jackson’s absence, collecting four rebounds in the first quarter and sinking a 3-point bomb when the T’Wolves left him alone in the corner.
“There was no way I was putting Jackson back in the first half after he got the two fouls,” Slikker said. “This was just too big of a game for us to risk it. But Reggie was big for us. He did a great job of filling Walter’s shoes, especially in that first quarter.”
While Jackson sat, Sierra took advantage in the second quarter.
Marvin Cotton scored 11 of his team-high 17 points in the period and helped the T’wolves claw back into the game at 30-25 heading into the locker room.
Despite the fact that Sierra had gained ground on the Cougars with Jackson on the bench, Weston Ranch was satisfied at the break knowing that in the second half they would be back to full strength.
“To go into the halftime up five with Walter sitting 14 of 15 minutes, that was phenomenal,” Slikker said.
When the third quarter began, what was previously a High School basketball game turned quickly into the “Walter Jackson Show.”
At the 5:27 mark in the third, and the Cougars up by ten, James Nunnally grabbed a rebound and threw it to half court where Jackson stood waiting.
Everyone in the house knew what was coming: Statement time.
Jackson charged toward the lane and from six feet out soared to the rim with two hands and threw down a jaw-dropping tomahawk slam that sent the Cougars’ contingent into hysterics, and left the Sierra faithful shaking their heads.
Jackson wasn’t done there.
The Cougars’ forward collected 11 rebounds, all in the second half, to go along with his game-high 21 points and put the cherry on top of an epic third-quarter with a tip-jam off the offensive glass with 20 seconds left.
Jackson scored 14 of the Cougars’ 25 third-quarter points and by the time the fourth quarter began, Weston Ranch had turned a five-point lead into 17 at 55-28.
“I got in a little foul trouble there in the first half,” Jackson said. “I was getting kind of cold sitting on the bench, I just wanted to get out on the floor and help my team win.”
And that’s exactly what he did.
Jackson led the way for the Cougars again in the fourth, finishing off a pristine night with seven points in the final frame.
Slikker cleared his bench with three minutes left in the game, and Jackson, along with the rest of the Cougars’ starters, were greeted by a standing ovation.
When asked after the game if the Cougars’ win was a statement, Weston Ranch players were quick to deflect the hype.
“They wanted to make the statement,” Nunnally said. “We just wanted to come out and play our game. Play hard. Play smart.”
Said Silva, “There was no (talking). We just wanted to come out and play hard and smart. Handle our business.”
Jackson wasn’t the only Cougar with an impressive performance, Weston Ranch got contributions all across the board.
Nunnally scored 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists.
Jerrell Walker was on an island in the post, outplaying every big man Sierra sent at him and finishing with 11 points and six boards.
Silva scored eight for the Cougars, but more importantly, led a stout defensive effort.
After Cotton’s 11-point second quarter, Slikker assigned Silva to Sierra’s best player.
The Cougars’ shooting guard stuck in Cotton’s hip pocket for the rest of night, holding the T’Wolves best scoring threat to just five second-half points.
“Cotton’s different than everybody else because he’s left-handed,” Silva said. “I wasn’t used to it but we had to just step up our defense.
“Defense wins championships.”
Despite the loss, the Timberwolves (5-1, 11-7) are still tied with the Cougars (5-1, 14-5) for first place in the VOL, and will look to rebound at Sonora Wednesday.
The Cougars travel to Oakdale.
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/articles/2007/01/20/sports/sports1.txtJackson rises, shines as Weston Ranch rolls
Cougars' star roars in second half after sitting with early foul trouble
By Stephen Roberson, STAFF WRITER
Article Last Updated: 01/20/2007 02:39:51 AM PST
MANTECA — Walter Jackson is a big-game player.
So when Weston Ranch High's standout senior forward picked up his second personal foul just 44 seconds into Friday night's pivotal Valley Oak League game at Sierra, he was forced to sit and watch the rest of the first half.
When Jackson hit the floor to start the second half, he tore into the Timberwolves like a caged animal who had finally been released.
Jackson had 11 rebounds and 21 points, lifting the Cougars over the host Timberwolves 68-43, handing Sierra (11-7, 5-1) its first league loss.
Weston Ranch (15-4, 4-1) grabbed a share of first place.
Jackson's absence didn't make much of an impact in the first quarter and early in the second. Sierra hit just one of its first 16 shots and trailed 19-4 with 6:02 left in the first half.
But the Timberwolves rallied, going 9-for-11 from the field to cut the deficit to 30-25 heading into halftime.
"At halftime we talked about coming out in the third quarter and trying to put them back down like we did in that first quarter," Weston Ranch coach Bill Slikker said. "I looked around and in the eyes of the guys, and they knew Walter was coming back in.
"I saw that look in Walter's eye, and I thought something special may happen."
It did.
Over the first 3:26, Jackson had seven points, including a monster dunk and a three-point play.
He dominated early in the fourth quarter as well, scoring seven of the Cougars' first nine points with two putback baskets and a three-point play.
"I was getting a little cold sitting on the bench," Jackson said. "It was just important that I come out with the intensity my team needed to win.
Slikker said the stakes — a share of first place on the line near the halfway point of the league season — meant he never considered putting Jackson back on the floor before halftime.
"It was too important a game. I'm not going to risk that," Slikker said. "I have faith in our team. As long as we had the lead there was no way I was putting him back in."
James Nunnally, who picked up the slack by scoring 11 of his 14 points in the first half, dismissed any talk of Friday being a statement game.
"(Sierra) wanted to make a statement, we just wanted to play our game," he said. "We didn't want to talk. We let the scoreboard do the talking."
Marvin Cotton had 16 points for the Timberwolves, Nevin Sahota had nine, and Adonis Brown had eight.
Brown said Weston Ranch's third-quarter run was particularly frustrating after the Timberwolves trimmed a 15-point deficit to five to close the first half.
"We tried to pick it up and hit some big shots in the second quarter, but it just wasn't enough," he said.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/prepsports/ci_5051989By Kevin Niendorf
Record Correspondent
January 20, 2007 6:00 AM
MANTECA - Just 44 seconds into Friday night's showdown for first place in the Valley Oak League against Sierra High, Weston Ranch forward Walter Jackson was sent to the bench with his second foul.
He unleashed his wrath in the second half with a 21-point, 10-rebound effort to turn a close game into an unexpected 68-43 blowout for the Cougars (15-4, 5-1). The 25-point victory now gives Weston Ranch a share of the VOL lead with Sierra (11-7, 4-1), which broke its five-game winning streak.
"This is the first time we've come in here and walked away with a win like that," Cougars coach Bill Slikker said. "Walter was hungry from sitting on the bench; it was like he hadn't gotten to play in a year."
Weston Ranch has now won five consecutive games - the last four by an average of 32 points - thanks largely to its tenacious defense. It was prevalent once again Friday as Sierra converted on just one of its first 16 shots from the field. By then, the Cougars were up 19-4 midway through the second period.
Sierra coach Scott Thomason saw his offense sputtering, so he called on senior Marvin Cotton to take action. Cotton scored 10 of his team-high 16 points over the next three minutes and cut into Weston Ranch's lead. A 3-pointer by teammate Aaron Gonzalez left Sierra down 30-25 at the break.
"I was just upset we weren't able to run our offense like we had in practice," Thomason said. "And, obviously, we weren't making our shots."
Enter a motivated Jackson, who led a 10-0 run to open the third quarter, which was highlighted by a two-handed, slam-dunk off a cherry-pick pass from James Nunnally. Jackson had 12 points during the ensuing 21-1 run for a 51-26 Cougar lead.
"I wanted to go out there with a lot of intensity and try to get my team the win," Jackson said. "We wanted to play Weston Ranch basketball by working together, looking good on the court, and playing with a lot of pride."
According to Slikker, Jackson's domination was only half the reason for the blowout. The defensive move to put Brandon Silva on Cotton in the third period produced no points by Sierra's leader.
"Brandon did a phenomenal job because Marvin was killing us," Slikker said. "I don't think Sierra had seen defense like that."
With seven games remaining in the regular season, Thomason said his team shouldn't have trouble coping with its first league loss.
"We have seniors who, I'm sure, were a little embarrassed by the loss here at home," he said. "But this one game won't define us; hopefully it will motivate us."
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070120/A_SPORTS09/701200329
Weston Ranch claws through Hawks
CERES— The Weston Ranch Cougars wasted little time introducing Central Valley to the dominant side of the Valley Oak League, running the Hawks out of the gym 80-36 Wednesday night in Ceres.“It was 29-13 after the first quarter, we came out and pressured them right away,” Weston Ranch head coach Bill Slikker said. “We remember what its like in that first varsity season.
We remember those big eyes.”Central Valley came into the contest overmatched against an explosive Cougar team poised on making a run for the VOL crown.The Cougars held a 48-24 lead heading into the intermission and would do nothing to violate the comfortable cushion they provided for themselves down the stretch.“Any time you jump out to an early lead it’s tough for a young team to respond to that,” Slikker said. “We got the opportunity to get everybody in the game, so I got to see what some of our other players can do.“And a lot of them really stepped up.”
The Cougars received its usual solid play from their big guns. James Nunnally led the way, scoring 21 points, while
Walter Jackson finished the contest with 18.Mic’eal Thomas chipped in 10 points for a Weston Ranch squad that saw 11 different players tally points in the scorebook.Weston Ranch (2-1, 11-5) will look to continue its waltz through the VOL, when they play host to the East Union Lancers Friday at 7:15 p.m.
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/articles/2007/01/11/sports/sports4.txt
01/03/2007
GOING TOE TO TOE
Ceres claims battle of heavyweightsCERES—The Weston Ranch High boys basketball team started the Valley Oak League season with back-to-back losses a year ago before reeling off 10 straight wins to earn a share of the championship.Head coach Bill Slikker and his Cougars vowed not to let that happen again, but they now find themselves in familiar territory after Wednesday’s 54-53 heartbreaker to league newcomer Ceres, which figures to be Weston Ranch’s chief rival for rights to the throne.The Cougars (0-1, 9-5) entered the VOL opener having won eight of their last nine games.“We played a horrible game, and we only lost by one,” said Weston Ranch center Jerrell Walker, who had 10 points and nine rebounds. “We’ll come out strong. Now we have to go 13-1. We’ve been down this (road) before, and we knew then that we had to turn it up. We just have to do it again.”It was nip and tuck from the opening tipoff.
In the end, Ceres (1-0, 13-2) missed six of eight attempts from the free-throw line to keep the Cougars in it, while Weston Ranch’s nine turnovers in the fourth quarter prevented it from getting over the hump.Ceres standout Brett Sayad (13 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals) sank a 3-pointer with 47 seconds remaining to push the Bulldogs’ lead to 53-48.Vinny Devencenzi kept Weston Ranch within striking distance with two free throws 17 seconds later, but Kevin Dupree hit the back end of two free throws with nine seconds left to seal it.Devencenzi’s off-kilter 3-pointer at the buzzer capped the final score.“Physically we can play with anybody, but mentally I didn’t think we were there tonight,” said Slikker, adding that his players allowed questionable calls affect their play.“Give Ceres credit. We played in their gym, and they held turf. They did what they were supposed to do — win at home. We’ll see them again in about a month and see what happens in our place.”The game started at a surprisingly slow pace, which was the intent of Ceres coach Jason Martin with Weston Ranch scoring 70-or-more points in eight previous contests this season.Weston Ranch took a 13-7 lead going into the second and got the bulk of its points by driving and slashing to the hoop.With the Cougars struggling to make shots from the perimeter, Martin took a gamble by implementing a 2-3 zone.The Bulldogs mixed in a full-court press and a halfcourt trap in the second half, but it was their zone that Weston Ranch seemed to struggle with.“We slowed them out of their game,” Martin said. “They have some athleticism, and so do we, but we didn’t want to run up and down the court with them the whole game.“We wanted it to be more of a halfcourt game and use some of our size.”Dupree, and athletic 6-foot-5 forward, pumped in 12 of his Ceres-high 16 points in the second half, also finishing with 10 rebounds and five assists.Ray Green, Ceres’ high-flying wingman, stole the show in the first half, when he scored 12 of his 14 points which included two drive-and-dunk plays.Weston Ranch was led by James Nunnally’s 18 points and five assists.
Walter Jackson contributed 10 points and six rebounds.Nunnally’s lob to
Jackson, who threw down a dunk with his back to the basket, punctuated an 8-0 run to give the Cougars their first second-half lead at 36-35 late in the third.The loss sets up a showdown with fellow league co-champion Sonora (1-0, 11-3) at home Friday.
“Friday is a big game for us now,” Slikker said. “If we don’t get back mentally for this game, it will be a start like it was last year. I expect big things out of them in practice. They’re competitors. They’re gamers, and I’m confident that they’ll respond.”
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/articles/2007/01/04/sports/sports1.txtCeres edges Weston Ranch in Valley Oak League opener
The top two contenders in the race for the Valley Oak League championship faced off Wednesday night in front of a near-capacity crowd at Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
The Ceres High varsity boys basketball team held on for a 54-53 victory over Weston Ranch in the conference opener for both schools.
The Bulldogs improved to 12-2 overall, 1-0 in the VOL.
The Cougars fell to 9-5 overall, 0-1 in the conference standings.
“Overall, I'm real happy with how the team played, besides free throws,” Ceres coach Jason Martin said. “We were tired. It was an intense game.”
The Bulldogs missed seven of nine foul shots in the fourth quarter. The Cougars failed to capitalize as they were done in by nine turnovers.
“It would have been very disappointing had we lost because we're a better free-throw shooting team than that,” Ceres High senior Kevin Dupree said.
“We shot 70 percent the last three games,” Martin said.
Dupree, a 6-foot-5-inch forward-center, led the Bulldogs with 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
Ray Green, a 6-foot-5-inch senior guard/forward, added 14 points and six rebounds.
Brett Sayad, a 6-foot-6-inch junior forward, scored 13 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out five assists and tallied three steals.
“Kevin played real tough,” Martin said. “He did a real good job working against their big guy.”
James Nunnally, a 6-foot-5-inch junior guard-forward, led the Cougars with 18 points and five assists.
Jerrell Walker, a 6-foot-6-inch senior forward-center, scored 10 points and pulled down nine rebound.
Walter Jackson, a 6-foot-4-inch senior forward, contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
Dupree scored 12 points in the second half. He sealed the win by converting one of two fouls shots with nine seconds left in regulation.
Dupree was sent to the free-throw line after the Cougars committed a turnover on their second-to-last possession. Ceres point guard Andrew Chipponeri poked the ball away from Weston Ranch guard Vinnie Devencenzi as he dribbled up court and into the hands of Dupree, who was fouled.
Sayad had seven points after intermission, including a clutch 3-pointer that put the Bulldogs ahead 53-48 with 43.7 seconds remaining.
Devencenzi buried a meaningless 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut the final margin to one.
Sparked by Green's dominant play, Ceres built a 29-26 lead in the first half. He had 12 points, including two dunks in traffic, a 3-pointer and a 14-foot jumper. Green was perfect from the foul line (3-for-3).
“Ray's going to get a lot better as the season goes on,” Martin said. “He's got so much talent.”
The Ceres-Weston Ranch rematch will take place on Jan. 31 in Stockton.
“Give Ceres credit,” Cougars coach Bill Slikker said. “They did what they were supposed to do-win at home. We'll see them again in about a month and see what happens in our place.”
On Friday at Winter Gymnasium, the Bulldogs posted a 63-60 win over the Manteca Buffaloes.
Dupree tallied a team-high 20 points for Ceres. Sayad, Green, Steven Downs and Ross Tate scored 18, 12, seven and six points, respectively.
Matt Gomez, Derek Kulberg and Ruben Cedano led the Buffaloes with 21, 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Manteca kept the game close by burying 11 3-pointers, including six by Gomez.
The Bulldogs made three of four foul shots in the final 30 seconds, including two by Sayad and one by Green.
Ceres will host Oakdale on Friday at 7:15 p.m. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff reporter of the Ceres (Calif.) Courier
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/articles/2007/01/11/ceres/sports/sports03.txt
12/29/06
Cougars win consolation championship
The Weston Ranch boys varsity basketball team impressed all in attendance as they walked away with the Modesto Christian Holiday Hoops Classic consolation championship with a convincing victory over Colony High of Ontario, California.
The Cougars opened the contest on a 22-9 run behind the dominating post play of senior
Walter Jackson, who came out of the gate scoring and grabbing rebounds at will.
“I was trying to hurry and get that double-double,”
Jackson said of his first-half dominance.
“We were able to get some good looks inside, and make the tough layups.”
Jackson, who finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds, received an abundance of help in the profitable paint area from teammates Jerrell Walker and James Nunnally .
“Jerrell and Walter work so well together. They are good at feeding off each other,” Weston Ranch head coach Bill Slikker said. “The speed we have down-low nullifies other teams’ height.
“Plus those two just want it so bad, it helps.”
Nunnally had another huge performance scoring 22 points and grabbing eight rebounds, 13 coming down the stretch as Colony cut the lead to single-digits.
“I knew if we kept playing hard, playing our game, we’d be able to put them away,” Nunnally said. “And that’s exactly what we did.”
The Cougars used a 14-2 run to open the final period to cancel any hopes Colony had of making a trip to Southern California with a trophy.
“Winning the consolation championship is nice, especially after going 1-3 in (The Maldonado Classic in Reno, NV),” Slikker said. “But what I’m most pleased with is the effort we have had over the past two weeks.”
Weston Ranch got solid performances from Walker (13 points), Brandon Silva (11 points), and
Jackson’s 20 point night.
The Cougars will look to continue their effort as the Valley Oak League season tips off with a trip to Ceres on Wednesday.
“With our pre-season schedule we have seen almost everything there is to see,” Slikker said. “We’ve had huge leads, blown huge leads, last-second shots, all that is only going to help us in league.
“We’re peeking at the right time. We sure will be ready for a battle Wednesday night.”
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/articles/2006/12/31/sports/sports1.txtWESTON RANCH 70, ONTARIO 50 — When Weston Ranch coach Bill Slikker entered his team in the prestigious tournament, he knew it was going to be the Cougars' biggest challenge of the early season.
"Going in, we felt if we went 2-2 against some great competition, that would be a good tournament for us," Slikker said.
Following a first-round loss to tournament finalist San Leandro, though, the Cougars did more than that.
They rolled through the consolation bracket and beat Colony of Ontario 70-54 for the consolation championship, building a head of steam going into Wednesday's Valley Oak League opener at Ceres.
Bookend forwards James Nunnally and
Walter Jackson each scored 20 points and senior center Jerrell Walker 15 in the victory over the Titans. Nunnally and
Jackson each had resounding breakaway dunks in the fourth quarter, putting an exclamation point on the win.
"Being a new school, we feel we have to prove ourselves,"
Jackson said. "We showed we can play with these guys."
http://www.modbee.com/sports/story/13155982p-13800889c.html
