Northgate pulls away in second quarter to hand Vintage first loss of season
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
Sometimes, a team is just straight-up better than you.
When that’s the case, there’s not too much you can do. We saw this very thing happen on Wednesday night when Northgate-Walnut Creek beat Vintage 64-49.
Though the score might not reflect it, the game was close for the first quarter and the early part of the second quarter. However, Northgate (1-0) would go into the half up 34-20.
“I think the biggest difference was when we were within the five, we were doing something solid. But they weren’t hitting on all cylinders, and it was just a matter of time,” Vintage head coach Ben Gongora explained. “Before they were hitting they’d drive to the basket very aggressively. They drive seeking contact.”
In the third quarter with 3 minutes left, Vintage (2-1) was challenged to respond by Gongora. Respond they did by going on an 11-4 run to please the coach.
“So at that point, we’re not going to make that up with one possession,” the coach said of the challenge. “We just did mini-games and said ‘hey, for the next 3:30 for this quarter, let’s win this game. Let’s win this 3 minute and 30-second game.’”
Vintage would also get to within 13 points in their quest to make it a single-digit game before this one ended.
The Crushers were led by Ben Jackson who finished the night with 23 points while going 6 of 6 at the free-throw line. He scored the first 13 points for Vintage in the first half. He also brought in one board as well.
“Ben can play with anyone,” Gongora said of Jackson’s monster effort.
Cole Capitani ended the night with 15 points, a team-high seven rebounds, and a blocked shot. He converted 4 of 5 shots from the charity stripe as well.
The only other Crusher to score was Jackson Corley. He added 11 points and four rebounds.
“We definitely need to need to have some folks get incorporated and still learn the offense,” Gongora pointed out. “We still have some kids that didn’t play for various reasons (in) the COVID season. So, no excuse. But, it’s going to take time.”
Anthony Notaro was the team’s second-best rebounder on the evening by grabbing five boards.
Up next, Vintage will host Acalanes of Lafayette next Tuesday night at 7 pm. Then, they’ll play in the 8-team Wine Valley Tournament at Napa High December 2nd-4th to make up a stretch of four games in five days.
