Vintage’s big third quarter run leads them past Justin-Siena
By Kyle Foster
Twitter: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
There are so many teams that are better in the second half due to the fact you can make adjustments at the break. Oftentimes, a team that can get hot in the second half wins the game.
That’s what the Vintage boys’ basketball team did when they beat Justin-Siena 64-51 on Thursday night.
Out of the break, the Crushers (12-6 overall, 2-3 Vine Valley Athletic League) went on a 12-0 run that lasted till the 2:17 mark of the third quarter.
“Basketball is a game of adjustments, and if you don’t adjust then you’re not from the same coaching tree that I am,” Vintage head coach Ben Gongora explained. “But the kids took care of business. I added just a few adjustments.”
The second half also saw senior guard Jackson Corley heat up. He finished with a team-high 18 points, grabbed five rebounds, and blocked a shot. He did most of his damage in the second half where he scored 14 points and also made all 6 of his free throws.
“I came out a little slow – I think it was the nerves,” Corley said of his team-high scoring performance. “I’m still kind of new to the high school scene and the big games. I haven’t got a couple because last year there weren’t that many fans. But you know, I just came in the locker room. My teammates had my back. They just said to calm down, go play basketball, and that’s what I did.”
Vintage also got a solid contribution from one of their senior role players. Noah Cockrell finished the game with 12 points and also grabbed 3 rebounds.
“So happy for Noah,” Gongora said of the senior guard. “Anytime a role player can step up and do that, it’s a massive difference-maker. It’s a massive difference-maker because now that stretches the defense.”
Ben Jackson added 9 points, 3 rebounds, and blocked a shot. Bryce Powers finished with 7 points, grabbed 6 rebounds. Cole Capitani scored 6 points, corralled 6 rebounds, and blocked 2 shots. Dido Micthell finished with 5 points and a rebound. Anthony Notaro scored 4 points, grabbed 2 rebounds, and blocked a shot. Lucas Bolinger finished with 2 points and Matty Estrada made a free throw to round out the scoring for Vintage.
Leading the way for Justin-Siena (11-7, 1-4 VVAL) was Travis Hightower. The junior finished the night with a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Adding to the cause for the Braves was Ma’el Blunt. The junior guard finished as the Braves’ other scorer in double figures. He scored 13 points and grabbed a rebound.
“When they attack the rim, we’re a better team, and I thought they did that and spurts so they’re both leaders.” acting Justin-Siena head coach Nick Guillory said of the two scorers in double-digits.
Asher Cleary added 9 points and grabbed 3 rebounds. Jaden Washington scored 3 points and corralled 2 rebounds. Vince Jackson scored 2 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and blocked a shot to round out the scoring for Justin-Siena.
Both teams will be back in action on Saturday night at 7 PM. Vintage will once again be at home when they host Petaluma. Justin-Siena will have another road game in town when they visit Napa.
In other VVAL action on Thursday night, Casa Grande beat Napa 68-48 and Sonoma Valley beat Petaluma 67-55. To view the full VVAL standings, you can go here.
