Friday, December 29, 2023
Record: 10-2
The JV Boys continued their magical season by winning their second JV Dougherty Valley Tournament game. The Dons defeated the California Grizzlies 62 to 53 and with this win moved onto the tournament championship game.
This game started with both teams exchanging baskets. Truth be told, this reporter was a bit tardy to the game, so he did not witness the first quarter of the game (He meets with Mrs. Powers on Monday for his tardiness). When he did arrive, the Dons were up 15-13. This lead did not last long as the Grizzlies had a three-point play to put the home team up 16-15.
Like many games this season, the Dons needed a jump start from Lorenzo Cangini. Number 20 did just that by scoring five quick points, a layup and three pointer from the corner. Dons now up 20-16. The game remained close as California had some nice ball movement. This movement created a nice give and go layup to narrow the Don’s led to one. But the Dons feature multiple scorers. Chase Bahou rocked a three pointer, followed by a two pointer by Arman Craig. AJ Hastings added to the scoring, and the Dons found themselves up 33-22 at halftime.
Coach Thomas pleaded with his team to reduce their mistakes at halftime and put the Grizzlies away. That is what the Dons did. Chase got the team rolling with a beautiful floater and then a nice layup. AJ hit from outside while Landon Deily controlled the boards. Landon put back extended the Dons lead to fourteen. The Dons showed no mercy to our state’s mascot. Lorenzo was fouled on a three pointer and hit all three foul shots. Gavin Beers blocked a shot that led to a nice fast break. The quarter ended with Illias Kaplanes-Jones hitting a three pointer at the buzzer. Acalanes 53. California 33.
With a twenty-point lead, Coach Thomas mixed and matched his group of players Unfortunately, these lineups played a bit sloppy and turned over the ball a few times. These turnovers and a few Grizzlies three pointers made the final score closer than the game was. The game ended with a final score of 62-53 in favor of the Dons.
Illias Kaplanes-Jones, team captain, had this to say about the game: “As a player it is always good to see the team come out strong because it motivates everyone to do better for each other. A game like today helps us gain learning experiences on how to move on to the next play and just do what we can without being affected by outside distractions.”
The championship game for the JV Dougherty Valley Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, December 30 at 1:30pm. Fear the Blue!
