STOCKTON— Weston Ranch came prepared to fend off a determined young Central Valley squad, and after a relatively poor first half performance used a blistering third period to pull away from the Hawks 75-46 Wednesday.
“We opened the game pretty sluggish, it was obvious that we needed work,” Weston Ranch head coach Bill Slikker said. “I told the team that going into the playoffs we need to be a cohesive group.”
The Cougars (9-2, 19-6) came out of the locker room after halftime looking to put the Hawks away, and that is exactly what unfolded.
Cougar guard Brandon Silva scored 10 of his 18 points during the pivotal swing, lifting Weston Ranch to a 29 point lead heading into the final period.
“We pulled our heads out of our butts and started to run and play together as a team,” Silva said. “Once we start running, it opens up a lot of options for us on offense.”
Silva connected on four 3-pointers, two in the third period, while Walter Jackson controlled the post for nearly the entire game.
“When Walt comes to play, everyone on this team just rolls in behind him,” Silva said. “When he is on his game, he always ignites us.”
Jackson finished the contest with game-highs in points and rebounds, going for 26 and 15, respectively.
“Walter played out of position for us out there,” Slikker said of his senior’s performance in the paint for an ill Jerrell Walker. “The one thing that I love most about him is he’s such a coachable kid.
“He’s one of those guys that will do whatever it takes to win.”
With the ease and effort one displays while riding an exercise bike, Jackson grabbed rebound after rebound and placed the majority of those boards back up for buckets.
“That’s the way it is for him, he’s so smooth in our offense,” Slikker said. “We don’t even have to create plays to get him involved.
“I would have never guessed he had that type of night.”
Jackson’s monster night coupled with Silva’s flawless play in his return from injury, left Central Valley clawing helplessly for answers.
“In a sense, for Brandon, the ankle injury was a blessing because it has enabled him to get some rest,” Slikker said. “He came right in from football to basketball and his body needed the rest.
“He did a great job taking care of his ankle during rehab, which has allowed him to return so effectively.”
Central Valley (1-10, 6-18) fought valiantly, but was unable to get on track against the Cougars’ stifling defense. The Hawks were left pondering on when the Cougars were supposed to go to the bench and relieve their starters from active duty.
“We’re a very young team, and we come in knowing what we are up against,” Central Valley head coach Daryl Dixon said. “I was not happy with the fact that he had his starters in with two minutes to play in the fourth, up by 30.
“That’s something that I don’t control. He makes the decisions for his team.”
With the postseason less than two weeks away, Slikker feels that each second his core group is on the court together is valuable time that he doesn’t have time to make up for.
“I understand where he is coming from, I was in that position three years ago,” Slikker said in response. “He has got to understand that we weren’t trying to run it up on them. Some things you can only work on in games.”
“I feel bad,” Slikker added. “But you make that call and I have to live with it.”
James Nunnally chipped in 16 points, six assists and four rebounds, while Silva picked off five steals to go along with his 18 points.
The Cougars will be in action Friday when they play host to the Manteca Buffaloes at 7:15 p.m. in preparation for a postseason run.
“The team that is playing well together and gelling is the team that will make the run,” Slikker said. “And it is my job to get them ready.”
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/articles/2007/02/08/sports/sports4.txt
Weston Ranch 75,
Central Valley 46
STOCKTON — Walter Jackson tallied a double-double for Weston Ranch in VOL action.
Jackson scored 24 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and made five blocks. James Nunnally (six assists) and Brandon Silva (five steals) each added 16 points.
"We are just trying to get healthy," Cougars coach Bill Slikker said. "Jerell Walker still has the flu and didn't score for us.
"I think we looked all right in the second half and hopefully we can hold it together going down the stretch."
http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_5182784
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