Napa uses first quarter run to gain edge, has trio of players in double figures to beat Concord

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By Kyle Foster

kfost91197@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews

Playing strong defense is a good way to gain an edge early on in a game. It can lead to a team setting in and then pulling away to win. 

On Wednesday afternoon, this is what the Napa High boys did as they beat Concord, 66-47, in a New Year’s Eve non-league game at Messner Gym. 

The Grizzlies (3-8) opened up the game with a nice 8-0 run and then went up 17-6 midway through the first quarter to gain the advantage they needed. 

“I think we always want to start on a positive note,” Napa High head coach Carson Carattini said. “I just thought tonight we have been working on executing a little bit better on both ends of the floor, and I thought our team was locked in, and that showed from the tip-off.” 

Napa also forced numerous turnovers in the first half, thanks to the use of their press. It sped up the game and caused havoc for Concord. 

But the other thing that was key for the Grizzlies was the fact that they had a trio of players finish the game in double-digits. 

“I think it just keeps the defense guessing,” Napa High senior center Will Flynn said. “It’s not a one-man show. So I think it opens up the court for all of us.”   

Leading Napa in the game was Flynn. He finished with a game-leading 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots. 

“Just being really patient in the post, looking for my teammates in the split, and focusing, locking in,” Flynn added. “Just doing what I do best, not like staying in my comfort zone, and just being physical.” 

Flynn also scored 16 points in the second half and made 6 of 8 shots from the free throw line. He was especially dominant when he got the ball on the post and scored right away. 

“I think it’s just a matter of time with him,” Carattini explained of the dominant second half from Flynn. “As long as he consistently gets touches, he’s going to get going. We’ve seen that throughout the year. This year, as long as he’s touching the ball, he’s been pretty dominant. He’s scoring the ball from a lot of different places.” 

After that, Cris Rendon ended the night with 13 points and 4 rebounds. He scored 7 points in the first half while making both of his free throws in the game. 

“Just a strong, athletic kid,” Carattini explained of Rendon and what he adds to the team. “He’s really physical. He’s a good athlete. He gets kids on his hip and on his shoulder, and he can really move them. So when he has an advantage like that, and when he’s feeling confident, he can do some damage.” 

Rounding out the trio was Henry MacPherson. The senior scored 11 points and 2 rebounds. MacPherson scored 8 points in the first half and made three shots from beyond the arc in the game. 

Others scoring for the Grizzlies in the game were Tideus Chaidez (7 points, 5 rebounds), Milo Buoncristiani (5 points), Tripp Walker (3 points, 1 rebound), Asher Mendenhall (3 points, 1 rebound), and Hunter Griffin (2 points, 5 rebounds). 

While this was Napa’s final game of the calendar year, they will be back in action in their final non-league game before Vine Valley Athletic League play starts with a contest at Skyline in Oakland at 5 pm. Napa will then visit American Canyon to open up VVAL play on January 6th at 7 pm.