Salas runs amok as Knights beat Jaguars
Led by junior Juan Manuel Salas' 23-point performance, the Cambridge College boys varsity basketball team defeated an undermanned Cooperative School team 40-33 Thursday in the Jaguars's gym.
Considering that Cooperative was without the services of three starters -- Pablo Taborga, Daniel Linggi, and Diego Morales -- the Jaguars put on a creditable performance. Indeed, if the second quarter is taken out of the equation the Jaguars outscored the Knights, and actually led 10-9 at the close of the first quarter.
However, it was in that quarter that the game was decided. The Knights scored 17 points in the second quarter, 13 of them by Salas, while holding Cooperative to one point. And it ought to be said that Cambridge left the impression in that quarter that it is the kind of team that, within certain limits, can score as many points as it feels it needs.
Salas' performance was sufficiently amazing that it bears some further comment. What was perhaps most remarkable was the variety of ways in which he could hurt the opposition. He concluded the scoring in the first period, and initiated the scoring in the second period with a matched set of swished three-pointers, one from each corner. He also scored by driving the baseline and throwing in a long-range lay-up from six meters out (and getting fouled in the process).
But his most noteworthy efforts were drives from the top of the key in which he took off like a wild stallion, seeming to be a six-foot high body composed entirely of elbows and knees, and becoming a kind of human band saw before throwing the ball into the net from the most outlandish and seemingly awkward angles.
It was the kind of performance that induces even writers who should know better to wildly mix metaphors.
Salas was far from being a one-man band, however. Cambridge is a flashy team with a number of artful dribblers, intrepid passers, and quick-fingered defenders that is extremely formidable when it is clicking.
The Knights got nine points from Benjamin Ezpeleta, whose style of play is somewhat more elegant than Salas', and who got to sit out much of the second half as Cambridge substituted freely.
Seventh grade phenom Jose Rivera dropped in a three-pointer, and senior Zhau Fua Zhou Zeng got three points on a nifty lay-up and concomitant free throw. Senior Yosep Song also had a field goal.
For Cooperative 9th grader Juan Abuawad stepped up ably into his starting role, and banged in 13 points to lead all Jaguar scorers. Juan Peredo had 8, Cristobal Roda 5, Estaban Gomez 4, and Esteban Espinoza 3. Peredo, Roda and Gomez are seniors.
Eagles 48, Griffins 26
Christian Learning breezes by International
By Trevor Reed
Christian Learning Center
The Christian Learning boys varsity basketball team boys cruised to their second victory of the season against no losses, winning 45-21 over International in a game played in their home gym Thursday.
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The Eagles started out well, moving out to a 10-0 lead. International only scored three points in the first quarter, which ended 11-3.____________________
TOUGH SHOT -- Griffin Martin Gonzales tries to get a jump shot over Eagle David Lotz. Jonatan Muñoz, International
The International boys rallied to score 15 points in the second quarter, and cut the Christian Learning lead to 25-18 at the half. At that point it seemed as though the Griffins could come on to tie it up, and possibly get the lead before the end of the game.
The Eagles' tough defense and quick offense did not let this happen, however, as they scored another 14 points in the third quarter and held the Griffins to only two. The Eagles added another three points to their lead in the last quarter.
Josh Mann was the top scorer for the Eagles with 12 points, followed by Paul Estes and Jeff Stabler who had nine points each. Team captain Tim Swope talled 8, and his slightly younger brother, Kyle Swope, added 4. Danny Canaviri, David Lotz and Jordan Newman scored two points each.
For International, Martin Gonzales was, once again, the high scorer, with 10 points. David Huang and Ernando Tesch tallied five points apiece, Christopher Saltzieder had three and Martin Fernandez 1.
