San Jose uses zone defense and big bursts in first and second-half to gain separation and beat Napa Valley in Storm Surge title game
By Kyle Foster
Twitter/X: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews
In games against better teams, you can learn a lot about your team. After all, it’s always better to face a team that is always good.
On Saturday afternoon at Storm Gym, San Jose City College used three big bursts to beat Napa Valley, 78-50, in the 4th annual Storm Surge Tournament championship game.
The Jaguars (10-2) took control of the game in the first half when they went on a 16-0 run that lasted two quarters.
During that time, the San Jose lead grew to 31-12 before Napa Valley scored a bucket. They did this by using their zone, which made it hard for the Storm to score anything inside the game.
Then, the Jaguars also went on a 7-0 run out of the half that encompassed an 11-0 burst to end the second and begin the third quarter. This saw the lead grow to 54-27.
The Jaguars also had four scorers in double-digits for the game. Finishing with a game-leading 19 points in the game was Tatana Colla who made four shots from three-point range and went 3 of 4 at the line in the game. She also scored 13 points in the first half of the game.
Finishing with 16 points each in the game were Hayley Johnson and Alyssa Malla. Their last scorer in double-digits was Synise Byrd.
One thing Napa Valley (4-7) was make shots over the zone, especially in the first half. In that half, the Storm made 8 shots from deep, which accounted for 24 of their 27 points in the first half. In the game, they made 10 shots from the three-point line.
“Before this tournament, we were really struggling from three and that was hurting us,” Napa Valley College assistant coach Zack Cook explained. “Just scoring in general, we weren’t scoring well, and the first two games, we started seeing the ball get in the basket.”
In the game, the Storm also got tons of good looks that they couldn’t cash in on, which would’ve made the game a bit closer.
“We made some adjustments against the zone and started getting some better shots, and that was good for us,” said Cook of the looks his team got. “We don’t always make adjustments in-game very well, but tonight, we did a good job, and everyone got to play, and we’ll recover and get back here Monday.”
They also kept the game close in the first quarter and matched what San Jose was doing at times, which is a good showing against the No. 19th-ranked team in the state.
It also helped that NVC got a pair of scorers to carry the load, each of which did it in a bit of a different way.
One of those was Rose Jamison. She finished with a team-leading 17 points and 8 rebounds in the game. Jamison did all of her damage in the second half where she scored 11 points. The sophomore guard also made 8 of 12 shots from the free-throw line in the game.
“Rose did her thing tonight,” added Cook, who was leading the team for Paul DeBolt who was out sick. “She’s a stud. She’s getting a lot of attention from defenses. She missed a lot of shots tonight that she usually makes, and I know she knows that, and I know she’ll bounce back.”
Also finishing with 17 points in the game was Arianna Aguilar who also grabbed a rebound. The freshman guard scored 9 points in the first half, all of which came in the second quarter. In the game, she was able to connect on 5 shots from beyond the arc. So her confidence is really high now, and that’s perfect timing, as we get into conference (play).”
“Arianna had an amazing tournament,” Cook pointed out. “She’s turning into the shooter that we knew she was, and by that happening, that’s just giving her more confidence in all other areas of the game.
Rounding out the double-digit scorers for the Storm was Jazmine Fontilla. The freshman guard was also crucial to the offense in the first half, where she scored 9 points. All of those came in the first quarter. She made 3 shots from deep in the game.
“She’s really come along this year, another player that’s struggled from the perimeter, but she was able to get it going tonight, which was really good to see,” Cook said of Fontilla. “We need multiple scorers. Teams are going to load up against Rose, and when she kicks it out or moves the ball, and she’s doubled, we need other players to step up and make them, and Jazz did that tonight, and she’s just rounding into shape.”
Others scoring for Napa in the game were Teira Greenwood (3 points) and Kamilah Tiongco (2 points, 3 rebounds).
This was the final day of the Storm Surge. It was a good tournament for Napa Valley as they were able to finish second in their event before beginning Bay Valley Conference play next Tuesday at 5:30 pm against No. 4 ranked Laney College in Oakland.
