Prolific Prep ramps up defensive intensity in second half to beat B.C. Christian on Senior Night
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
Sometimes in basketball, there’s nothing that can be done to avoid a slow start.
It also doesn’t help when you haven’t played a game in two weeks.
That was exactly what happened to Prolific Prep on Saturday night when they beat B.C. Christian 74-54 on their Senior Night.
At the start, B.C. Christian was able to keep the Crew (25-3) at bay by fouling and making the game choppy. Another factor that didn’t help was the fact that it’s been two weeks since Prolific Prep had played a game.
“We were getting really good shots, just we weren’t knocking them down,” Prolific Prep coach Joey Fuca said. “But they were doing a good job of pressuring our guards. They were doing a good job of picking us up at 94 feet. They were taking us out of some stuff, but at the end of the day, we just missed some open shots in the first half.”
However, things changed in the second half when Prolific Prep ramped up their defensive intensity and got plenty of points where their defense led to easy offense.
“It’s matching our opponents’ energy and things like that,” Prolific Prep senior guard Jalen Green said. “We were playing Prolific ball.”
“We started jumping the passing lanes and getting a few steals that led to our transition,” Fuca added. “But again, we shot the same shots in the second half of the first but we were making in the second half. So as a coach, I’m proud of our guys for continuing to be aggressive.”
Leading the way for the Crew on the night was Jalen Green. He ended the night with 29 points and seven rebounds.
“My shot wasn’t falling early, so I wasn’t trying to get discouraged,” Green explained. “I was just trying to move the ball and when the ball came in my hand and I had an open shot, knock it down.”
Also having a nice night was Mawot Mag who ended the night with 14 points and seven rebounds on the night.
“Mawot was really good tonight,” Fuca said. “He’s always been our energy guy and he does a really good job of setting the tone for our seniors. He’s our energizer.”
Leading the way on the glass way Coleman Hawkins who brought down nine rebounds and scored 12 points on the night.
It was also Senior Night for Prolific Prep who honored their seven Seniors in a pregame ceremony. Those graduating later this year include Green, Mag, Hawkins, Nimari Burnett, Jack Wetzel, Saba Gigiberia, and Frank Anselem.
The Crew will be back in action on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. when they host George H. Prep in the final game of the Crush in the Valley 2 at Napa Valley College’s Storm Gym.
