Second quarter run propels Napa past Benicia

By Kyle Foster, photo courtesy of Don Lex (LuckyDuckImages.com)

kfost91197@gmail.com

Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews

Records don’t always tell the story of the quality of a team.

That was the case for the Napa High boys basketball team in their narrow 67-61 win over Benicia.

At one point in the game Napa (8-5) led by 20 points, but the Panthers clawed and made it a close contest in the fourth quarter.

“We opened it up (the lead) to 20 (points) or so and I think we got a little comfortable, and all of a sudden they started pressing us and we lost our poise a little bit. We got a little flustered,” Napa coach Zack Cook explained. “Give all the credit to Benicia. They didn’t lay down, they kept playing, they stuck a couple threes, had a couple turnovers and converted and all of a sudden we were in a game.”  

However, the large lead that they had gained was due in large part to a 11-0 run that spanned a duration of four minutes and 25 seconds in the second quarter.

“Just up and down play,” Cook said of the run in the second quarter. “They were switching defenses on us, so they couldn’t quite get in a rhythm in the half court offense.”

Strong post play is always and important part of Napa’s success, but it really showed on Wednesday when their two leading scorers were their post players.

Senior Zach Swim had 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way.

Brock Bowers also added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

“When they play well, we play well,” Cook said of his two post players. “Our two posts kinda are the engine of our team, and when both those guys are active and scoring and blocking shots it really feeds into everyone else’s energy.”

Napa will be back in action on Friday night when they visit Justin-Siena at 7 P.M. The game will also be Napa’s Vine Valley Athletic League opener.

“I’ve seen Justin a little bit. They’re really, really solid defensively in the half court,” Cook explained. “They’ve got a couple shooters, a really good point guard who’s been on the varsity (for) I think four years. So, we’re going over there and it’s going to be a tough game.”