Turnovers and missed shots come back to haunt Vintage in heartbreaking loss to Rancho Cotate in Wine Valley opener
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
In a game where you come up just short, there are always a few things that could’ve been done differently to change the outcome. Yet, that doesn’t change to result. If anything, it makes the loss sting that much more when you look back at the game.
In Thursday’s final game of the Wine Valley Tournament at Napa High, Vintage lost a 40-37 heartbreaker to Racho Cotate-Rohnert Park.
At one point in the second half, the Crushers (3-3) held a seven-point edge in the game.
“We fouled quite a bit and turned it over quite a bit in about a three-minute span,” Vintage head coach Joe Donohoe admitted. “And that’s what changed the scoreboard for sure. But hey, they play hard. I love the effort.”
Throughout the game, Vintage also seemed to leave countless points on the floor. After all, they converted just 5 of their 15 shots from the free-throw line, which is often where games are won and lost. That combined with missed shots right around the rim will come back to haunt in close games like this.
“I think turnovers were probably our biggest problem,” Donohoe reiterated. “But we did miss our share, and then some of two footers, which that means you’re getting the looks you want.”
The contest was also an oddity because Vintage appeared to have been outplayed the Cougars in the game.
“I thought so too except for a few spurts that cost us in the end,” Donohoe said of his team appearing to outplay their opponent.
This isn’t the first time these teams have played a close contest either. After all, the largest margin of victory has been just seven points that came in the spring season this year.
Leading the way for Vintage was Leire Riestra. The junior finished the game with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. She made 2 of her 4 free throws in this one as well. She also showed her rim defense in this one by blocking an impressive six shots.
“She sneaks up on people with her long arms,” Donohoe explained. “She does a lot of things similar to what Nicole (Gleeson) did as far as changing the spacing on the floor. She is a really high IQ basketball player and a great kid. Good addition to the team.”
Also adding to the cause was Kate Kerr. She finished the night with eight points while grabbing five rebounds.
Eden Wood grabbed eight boards in the game as well. The senior also scored two points as well.
Both teams will be in action on Friday in the second day of the Wine Valley Tournament. At 5:30 pm, Vintage will face Shasta of Redding. Meanwhile, Racho Cotate (5-2) will meet Mission San Jose of Fremont at 8:30 pm, which is the final game of the slate.
