Saddleback vs Riverside - CCCAA State Final - "Live" Game Blog

This blog was being typed live during the game. The wireless internet did not stretch all the way to the playing floor, so the blog could not be updated simultaneously. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Riverside is the 2009 CCCAA State Basketball Champions. Saddleback is awarded with a State Runner-Up trophy. Something to be proud about, but for now the Gauchos will stay extremely disappointed.

FINAL/OT – Riverside 69, Saddleback 60.

OT 0:00 – It’s over. The run is over for the Gauchos.

OT 0:13.6 – Norris hits one of two free throws for Riverside. It’s 69-60.

OT 0:14.9 – Kevin Menner sinks a basket in the lane. It’s 68-60 Riverside.

OT 0:24.3 – David Norris hits two free throws for Riverside. It’s 10-0 in the overtime and 68-58 Riverside.

OT 0:35.4 – After a Saddleback foul, Aaron Woods lies on the ground in obvious pain. It looks to be his ankle.

He is helped off. Daniel Redmond goes to the line for Riverside and hits both free throws. It’s 66-58 Riverside. It looks about over. Tigers are on an 8-0 run in the overtime.

OT 0:38.6 – Session puts up a shot that misses and Riverside pulls down the rebound.

OT 0:52.5 – T.J. Lipold fouls for Saddleback. James Calhoun hits both free throws for Riverside. It’s 64-58 Riverside.

OT 0:56.7 – Kyle Wallace loses the ball out of bounds in the corner for Saddleback.

OT 1:31 – Riverside puts up a three as the shot clock expires. It misses and they recover the rebound.

OT 1:57 – Riverside timeout.

OT 2:24 – Donovan Buford gets the tip-in for Riverside. It’s 62-58, Tigers lead.

OT 2:53 – Marquis Green puts up a three for Saddleback that misses the mark.

OT 4:10 – David Norris gets the first points of overtime. Its 60-58 Riverside.

OT 5:00 – Saddleback wins the overtime tip. Time to find a winner.

END OF REGULATION – Saddleback 58, Riverside 58

2^nd Half 0:00 – Menner misses on his driving shot and we are going to overtime to decide the State Championship.

Someone needs to get me some medication… This is ridiculous.

2^nd Half 0:16.0 – After getting the inbounds in, the Gauchos get stuck in the corner and take another timeout.

…No seriously… Is this REALLY happening AGAIN?!?!?

2^nd Half 0:20.8 – Riverside misfires on the inbounds pass. Saddleback’s ball. Timeout Saddleback.

…Is this really happening again!?!?

2^nd Half 0:20.8 – Aaron Woods answers again with a three pointer. It’s tied up at 58. Timeout Saddleback.

2^nd Half 0:28.5 – Riverside wastes clock at the half court. The shot misses.

2^nd Half 1:01 – Kevin Menner is fouled on his way up to the basket. Menner hits one of two. It’s 58-55 Riverside.

2^nd Half 1:03 - Aaron Woods hits a three for Saddleback. The ball is turned over on the inbounds by Riverside. It’s 58-54.

2^nd Half 1:23 - Saddleback starts the fouling in an attempt to get the ball back. Terrell Mack commits the foul, but it is his fifth. He is out of the game. David Norris hits both free throws. It’s58-51 Riverside.

2^nd Half 1:25 - Goaltending is called on Riverside. Saddleback basket is good. It’s 56-51 Riverside.

It’s tough to make a comeback when you keep turning the ball over.

2^nd Half 2:45 – Saddleback takes a timeout. They’re going to have to pull another one out of the hat. The Gauchos are making one last push, but will it be enough?

2^nd Half 3:16 - Terrell Mack hits another three for Saddleback. It’s 56-49 Riverside.

2^nd Half 3:56 – Franklin Session delivers Saddleback’s much needed boost with a three-point shot. It’s 54-46 Riverside.

Saddleback could use a three pointer right now…

Saddleback just can’t catch any breaks. Rebounds are continually bouncing right into the hands of Riverside. Shots are just rimming out. Baskets that normally fall for the Gauchos even on a poor day aren’t today. As hard as Saddleback may try, it almost seems like fate has taken the ball out of its hands.

2^nd Half 9:13 – Menner goes up for the lay-up on the run and gets fouled. He misses the lay-up, one he normally makes, but sinks the two free throws. It’s 52-40 Riverside.

2^nd Half 11:04 - Robbie Robinson jumps up and Session deftly, yet aggressively, draws a foul on a three-point shot. Session converts two of three free throws. It’s 50-36 Riverside.

2^nd Half 12:36 – Jeffeth Maxim hits a lay-up for Riverside. The lead is back out to 15 as Riverside leads 47-32.

The Gauchos are missing the easy points right now. Blowing lay-ups and Menner just blew an open dunk. They need to convert on these. In the meanwhile, their defense has stiffened up a bit. Small victories. That’s what they need right now. They just have to start stringing them together.

2^nd Half 16:37 – Jackson hits a turnaround jumped in the key. It’s 41-30 Riverside.

2^nd Half 17:20 – David Norris hits the first three pointer of the half. It’s 41-28 Riverside.

2^nd Half 18:41 – Kevin Menner makes the basket and the ensuing free throw. He and Session are the Gauchos best players. They need to start showing it here and take control. It’s 36-26 Riverside.

2^nd Half 19:01 – David Norris gets Riverside’s first points of the second half. It’s 36-23, Riverside.

2^nd Half 19:40 – Sarunas Jackson gets Saddleback’s first point of the half by hitting one of two free throws. It’s 34-23 Riverside.

2^nd Half 20:00 – Saddleback starts with the ball in the second half. Time to go.

As the teams come out for the second half, all of the Gauchos except Jackson, Azizi, and Lipold head to the bench and sit down, while all of Riverside is up and shooting the basketball. Confidence is low, and rightfully so. They have got to find it within themselves to get back into this. It’s a major gut-check time for Saddleback. RCC’s band just started playing “Eye of the Tiger.” That’s what the Gauchos need to find here. Or they could just gouge one out of these Riverside Tigers. Whichever they feel would work best.

At the half, we are treated to the dance moves and stylings of the very young “Jump Start Crew.” It looks like a bunch of 8-10 year olds popping-and-locking and hip-hop dancing. They are followed by the “amazing” “Senior Dance Team.” These are 12-14 year old girls and three guys. Same styles I guess. I’m not an expert in the field.

HALFTIME – Riverside 34, Saddleback 22

1^st Half 0:26.3 – Session dives out of bounds to save the ball and throw it into play. It is recovered by Lipold who puts in the lay-up. It’s 34-22 Riverside.

1^st Half 1:48 - Menner and Bradshaw collide under the basket. Bradshaw is in obvious pain. Menner draws his third foul, while Bradshaw is helped off the floor. Bradshaw is being looked at behind the bench.

1^st Half 2:38 – T.J. Lipold gets a running lay-up and it’s 32-20 Riverside.

Riverside’s fans must be unaware of the fact that they are up by 14. They are still calling bloody murder on the refs. These people are relentless.

Saddleback isn’t getting any breaks at this point. The ball is rolling around the rim and falling out. They are losing dribbles. Rebounds are bouncing right into Riverside’s hands. It’s tough sledding right now.

1^st Half 5:42 – Kevin Menner makes two free throws for Saddleback’s first points in the last five minutes.

1^st Half 6:06 – The game is starting to get away from the Gauchos. Jeffeth Maxim of Riverside fights through a foul by T.J. Lipold and makes the basket. He misses the free throw and Robinson makes the put-back. Riverside is on a 12-0 run and has a 31-16 lead.

After calling everything on Riverside earlier, the referees are letting them play and letting them play extremely physical.

1^st Half 8:28 – Just as I am about to mention that Riverside’s star guard, Robbie Robinson, has no points, he scores back-to-back baskets. It’s 25-16 Riverside.

1^st Half 9:46 – Riverside is now in the bonus foul territory. They have eight fouls now. It’s 21-16 Riverside.

1^st Half 10:45 – After a huge block on Billy Azizi by Kevin Bradshaw of Riverside, Franklin Session hits Saddleback’s first three pointer of the game. It’s 17-16 Riverside.

1^st Half 11:15 – After a series of mishandled dribbles by Menner, he takes the blocking foul. The Gauchos first foul of the game. It’s 17-13 Riverside.

The Riverside fans are calling bloody murder on the referees right now. They want any move Saddleback makes to be a foul. “REF! REF! HE BREATHED RIGHT THERE!”

1^st Half 13:24 – Kevin Menner with a huge block on Lawrence Etah. And on the ensuing rebound, Shawn Sawyer gets block by the rim on a dunk attempt.

Saddleback has no fouls through the first six minutes of play. That’s a new concept. While the Riverside fans also notice this, as there is a huge disparity, six to none, in fouls. Saddleback needs to start taking advantage of these foul shots. They will be huge.

This definitely has the intensity and pace of a state championship. It also contains all of the tension and aggressiveness of a conference rivalry. This is has all the makings of a classic barn-burner.

1^st Half 15:09 – Session ends the quick skid by the Gauchos with a jumper at the top of the key. It’s 15-10 Tigers.

1^st Half 15:36 – Bryant is all over the place. The Tigers steal the ball and lob it down to Bryant who gets the transition lay-up. He has 11 points and its 15-8 Tigers.

1^st Half 16:04 – Bryant hits his third three-point shot in a row. Its 13-8 Tigers.

1^st Half 16:41 – Bryant hits another three, and Riverside takes the lead 10-8.

Saddleback coach Andy Ground has his rather large shirt for his small frame un-tucked today. I wonder, did he run out of belts?

1^st Half 17:35 – Jovan Bryant of Riverside hits the first three pointer of the game. It’s 6-5 Gauchos.

1^st Half 17:43 – Just as I mention him, Menner gets the steal and goes in for the uncontested lay-up. 6-2 Saddleback.

Kevin Menner is no longer sporting the leg pad he had last game. He’s running around without any notice of a limp.

1^st Half 18:42 – David Norris gets the first basket for Riverside and it’s tied 2-2.

1^st Half 19:01 – Franklin Session slashes to the basket and put in the first points of the game for Saddleback. 2-0 Gauchos.

1^st Half 20:00 - Riverside wins the tip-off and we are underway at this all-OEC CCCAA State Championship.

Pregame

A beautiful rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by a local high schooler. The first live rendition of the anthem so far in this tournament.

This is definitely the emptiest the arena has been at pregame. There seems to be the same amount of Riverside support up here. Their band, parents, and some students. Saddleback has upped their support. Saddleback President Tod A. Burnett is here at the game. Even Saddleback’s star running back, Jai Morris, is here in Fresno. There is also a section taped off with what looks like a girls dance team. Most likely for the halftime show.

You can tell on the players’ faces and their overall demeanor that this is a championship game.

South No. 1 Saddleback Gauchos: #4 Kevin Menner, #12 Kyle Wallace, #23 Franklin Session, #24 T.J. Lipold, #33 Sarunas Jackson

South No. 4 Riverside Tigers: #0 Robbie Robinson, #2 David Norris, #10 Daniel Redmon, #22 Kevin Bradshaw, #31 Jovan Bryant

State Semifinals - Saddleback vs San Joaquin Delta - "Live" Game Blog

This blog was being typed live during the game. The wireless internet did not stretch all the way to the playing floor, so the blog could not be updated simultaneously. Sorry for the inconvenience.

(29-7) South No. 1 Saddleback Gauchos advance to the CCCAA State Finals against the winner of Semifinal No. 2, North No. 3 San Francisco and South No. 4 Riverside on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Selland Arena in Fresno.

FINAL/OT – Saddleback 62, San Joaquin Delta 59

OT 0:00 – Jerrel Walker throws in the deep pass off the inbounds and it is intercepted by Franklin Session at center court to seal the game.

OT 0:02.6 – Wallace gets the inbounds and holds the ball. Drives the lane and dishes out to Terrell Mack in the corner. Mack sinks the three-pointer Saddleback leads 62-59.

OT 0:27.8 – T.J. Lipold gets the steal on defense and brings it into the front court. Timeout Saddleback

OT 48.5 – Session gets the block for Saddleback and Wallace is fouled trying to rebound. Wallace goes to the line and hits both shots. Tied once again. The score is 59-59

OT 1:38 – Kyle Wallace is fouled on a shot and goes to the line. Wallace makes both free throws. 59-57 Delta.

OT 2:00 – Session fouls on a steal attempt for Saddleback. His fourth foul. Simi makes both free throws. Its 59-55 Delta.

OT 3:36 – Menner commits the foul for Saddleback. That’s his fifth, and he is out of the game. Simi makes both free throws for Delta. 57-55.

OT 3:57 – Sarunas Jackson makes Saddleback’s first points of overtime. Its 55-55.

OT 4:22 – Walter Jackson makes the first points of the overtime for Delta. 55-33.

OT 5:00 – Overtime tip-off is won by Delta.

END OF REGULATION – Saddleback 59, San Joaquin Delta 59

2^nd Half 0:00 – Delta takes the inbound and makes a long pass for one for desperation shot that misses. And we’re going to overtime.

2^nd Half 0:03.1 – Saddleback gets the inbound down to Session who is fouled attempting a three-point shot. Session could tie the game on these free throws. Session makes the first. Session makes the second. Timeout Delta. Session makes the third. It’s tied 53 all.

2^nd Half 0:06.9 – Otiono goes to the line for Delta. Timeout Saddleback. Otiono misses the first shot. Timeout Saddleback. Their final timeout. Otiono makes the second. 53-50 Delta.

2^nd Half 0:08.4 – Kyle Wallace is fouled shooting a three-pointer and goes to the line. Wallace hits 2 of 3. Saddleback fouls on the rebound. Timeout Delta. 52-50, Delta leads.

2^nd Half 0:13.9 – Saddleback fouls. Otiono goes to the line for Delta and hits both free throws. Its 52-48 Delta.

2^nd Half 0:24.1 – Wallace goes up for the shot, it gets blocked and thrown off his body out of bounds. It’s Delta ball.

And here…we… go!

2^nd Half 0:39.2 – Anthony Simi hits a jumper in the lane and gets Delta the lead, 50-48. Timeout Delta.

2^nd Half 1:48 – Delta takes a timeout. It’s getting physical out there. Contrary to the trend early in this second half, the referees have put away their whistles. Still tied at 48.

2^nd Half 2:34 – Anthony Simi hits a three pointer for Delta and it is tied at 48 all.

2^nd Half 2:57 – Saddleback now has ten fouls and is in the double bonus. Delta has eight fouls and is in the bonus. It’s 48-45 Saddleback

Ladies and gentlemen, suffice to say, the momentum has swung back to the Gauchos. Their shots are falling, their getting the foul calls their way, and they have their early game swagger back. T.J. Lipold is even playing defense with what looks like a confident smirk on his face.

2^nd Half 5:20 – Menner fights through the Delta defense and the foul to get his shot to fall. He makes the free throw and it’s a 45-41 Saddleback lead.

2^nd Half 6:02 – Kyle Wallace sinks the teardrop in the lane and Saddleback leads 42-41. It’s their first lead since 24-23 in the first half.

2^nd Half 7:07 – After a questionable charging call on Session, Jackson gets a huge defensive block for the Gauchos. It’s 41-38 Delta lead.

2^nd Half 8:04 – Kyle Wallace commits the foul for Saddleback, and they enter the bonus foul territory.

2^nd Half 9:04 – Session gets the block on defense, collects the ball, and brings it down court for the running layup, and it’s still as close as ever at 39-38, Delta leading. Session is starting to control this game offensively, defensively, and on the boards.

Delta’s coach Rich Ressa just commented that the refs were calling a good game up until a call just now against Glen Miller. I wonder why he thinks that?

2^nd Half 11:06 – Billy Azizi just fouled out of the game for the Gauchos. One more foul and they are in the bonus.

I mentioned Menner’s leg pad earlier, and he now appears to be walking with a slight limp. He’s still pushing through it though.

There’s the coach Ground I know. While the whole team looks a bit frustrated, it is always easier to tell on coach Ground, an emotional guy.

2^nd Half 14:27 – Session collects the ball at the top of the key and drives to the lane for a thundering dunk. It’s 36-32 Delta.

2^nd Half 15:28 – Billy Azizi gets fouled on a complete basket and goes to the line. He misses the shot, but Session collects the rebound in the far corner and slices in for the circus lay-up.

The game is still within reach at 31-26, but Saddleback is looking pretty frustrated out there. The rim is being unkind and the rebounds are falling to Delta. The referees aren’t their best friends as of late either.

2^nd Half 16:51 – After hitting nothing but rim in the half, the Gauchos get their first points of the half from Jackson. It’s 29-26 Delta.

2^nd Half 17:38 – Glenn Miller of Delta gets the first points of the half, and its 29-24 Delta

2^nd Half 20:00 – Saddleback starts with the ball out of bounds. It’s gut-check time.

Also on the song selection note, who is controlling this? They switch between rap and hip-hop that get you up and going, to easy-flowing Eagles songs and late 70’s and 80’s ballads. And don’t forget some of the intense hard rock selections. I understand appealing to all demographics, but come on.

Nice little coincidence as the Gauchos come back onto the floor, Bon Jovi’s “Wanted: Dead or Alive” is playing and the lyrics “I play for keeps” yells over the sound system as the Gauchos exit the locker room. Good mentality for Saddleback to have in this second half.

HALFTIME – San Joaquin Delta 27, Saddleback 24

Just noticed that Kevin Menner is wearing a protective, padded sleeve on his left leg. That wasn’t there last game. Could that be contributing to his slow night so far? It’s hard to tell.

The Gaucho offense has seemed to slow down in the latter part of this first half. Saddleback is resorting to a lot of half-court sets and outside jump shots. The entire energy seems a little tapped. They were putting forth extraordinary effort early, but that could be taking its toll.

1^st Half 0:57.3 – Delta converts on the free throws and gets another bucket off the rebound to continue their late half push. It’s 27-24 Mustangs.

1^st Half 1:15 – T.J. Lipold gets third foul of the game and is taken out and replaced with Session.

1^st Half 1:37 - Glen Miller of Delta sinks one of two free throws to tie it at 24 all.

1^st Half 2:36 – Marquis Green silences the crowd with a three pointer from the corner. Gauchos up 24-23.

Ok, I might’ve lied a little bit when I said this was an even crowd. It looked that way in warm-ups. Nope. Delta’s fans have showed up in force now. Delta is making a push and getting the energy from the arena.

1^st Half 3:51 – Delta continues pushing it up the floor and into the key for a transition layup by Calvin Otiono to tie the game at 21. Timeout by Saddleback.

1^st Half 4:21 – Saddleback continues the defensive pressure and swarms Delta’s Walker with a triple team down low. Walker fights through it. Its 21-19 Gauchos.

The game may be tight at 19-15 Gauchos, but Saddleback is dominating Delta in the hustle game. They are getting to almost every rebound and almost every loose ball. Effort like that will pay off in the end.

1^st Half 7:43 - Jackson gets a huge block down low and the Gauchos again get it in transition. It’s 17-13 Saddleback.

1^st Half 8:24 – Session is having a rough few minutes as the ball is swatted from his hands going up on the layup. He gets the ball back only to miss the shot again, get his rebound once more, miss, and get the rebound again. It’s rough sailing in the paint for Session.

1^st Half 9:44 – After Aaron Woods sinks the first free throw of the game for Saddleback, Session steals the ball after the inbounds and goes up for a dunk. He clanks it off the side of the rim, gets his rebound twice, and has it swatted out of bounds. Nice hustle play, but a little lack of finesse and finish by Session. Quite uncommon for him.

1^st Half 10:31 – Billy Azizi locks down in the defensive post and forces a bad shot from Walker, Session with the rebound, and the Gauchos go down the floor for a Menner jump shot, and the Gauchos are on a 9-0 run. 13-6 Gauchos.

1^st Half 11:43 – Aaron Woods knocks down the Gauchos first shot from distance tonight and puts Saddleback up 11-7.

Delta has subbed in Jerrel Walker down low. Weighing in at 6’ 5” and 230 lbs, he is the BIG boy of the game.

Saddleback is fighting back now on defense and is matching Delta in aggression, especially down low. They are forcing turnovers on tips and traveling. That looks to be the match-up of the night.

1^st Half 14:21 – Kevin Menner sinks his second straight basket of the game. The Gauchos need him to play large again tonight. 7-6 Gauchos.

Delta has been the more aggressive team on offense, so far. Though initially not a lot of shots had been made, they’re starting to fall now. Saddleback has started out strong on the boards this game, unlike the fire drill that was rebounding on Thursday

1^st Half 17:13 – Sarunas Jackson gets a block for the Gauchos on defense, and Session gets Saddleback’s first points of the game on a transition lay-up, 3-2 Mustangs.

1^st Half 19:40 - Markonio Rutledge of Delta scores the first points of a game on a three-point shot. It’s 3-0 Mustangs.

1^st Half 20:00 – Delta wins the tip and this CCCAA State Semifinal is underway.

Pregame

Considering both Saddleback and San Joaquin are a distance away from Fresno, the crowd is filling in towards the center of the arena from baseline to baseline. Saddleback has more representatives today, including their full complement of cheerleaders. This looks to be a good one.

South No. 1 Saddleback Gauchos: #4 Kevin Menner, #23 Franklin Session, #24 T.J. Lipold, #12 Kyle Wallace, #33 Sarunas Jackson

North No. 2 San Joaquin Delta Mustangs: #10 Markiono Rutledge, #13 Anthony Simi, #20 Walter Jackson, #25 Glenn Miller, #23 Calvin Otiono

State Quarterfinals - Saddleback vs Reedley - "Live" Game Blog

This blog was being typed live during the game. The wireless internet did not stretch all the way to the playing floor, so the blog could not be updated simultaneously. Sorry for the inconvenience.

(28-7) South No. 1 Saddleback advances to the CCCAA State Semifinals against (29-5) North No. 2 San Joaquin Delta on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Selland Arena in Fresno.

FINAL – Saddleback 62, Reedley 56

Saddleback Leaders: Points: Kevin Menner – 29; Rebounds: Franklin Session – 11; Assists: Kyle Wallace – 5; Steals: Franklin Session – 5; Blocks: Franklin Session and Sarunas Jackson – Each with 1

Reedley Leaders: Points: Marquel Hoskins – 18, Rebounds: Marquel Hoskins – 9; Assists: Marquel Hoskins – 4; Steals: Justin Ayers – 3; Blocks: None

2^nd Half 0:00.1 – The ball goes out of bounds and this one is over.

2^nd Half 0:34.7 – Reedley begins the foul parade with Kevin Menner, who hits both and puts Saddleback up 61-54.

2^nd Half 0:43.7 - #20 Marquel Hoskins hits a pair of shots, a two and a three, to bring Reedley within five at 59-54.

2^nd Half 1:08 – T.J. Lipold puts in a running lay-up to put the Gauchos ahead 57-51.

It seems we’re not the only ones with the team spirit. Riverside City College’s band and a student section (obviously bussed up).

2^nd Half 1:53 – Session of Saddleback and Vaughn of Reedley both dive onto the floor for the loose ball which ends up out of bounds. It’s Saddleback’s ball and they take a timeout.

2^nd Half 2:31 – Reedley foul on #20 Marquel Hoskins. It’s their tenth team foul and that puts the Tigers into the double-bonus. Session hits one of the two ensuing free throws. 53-51 Gauchos.

2^nd Half 2:57 – A pair of Gauchos, Wallace and Session, fall hard to the floor with on of Reedley’s players, but hang on of the jump ball. Reedley possession. 52-51 Saddleback lead.

2^nd Half 3:53 – Reedley’s Marquel Hoskins puts in the basket and we have a tie game, 50-50, in the waning minutes of this game. Hold on.

2^nd Half 4:24 – Reedley commits their seventh team foul and enter the bonus foul territory. Saddleback’s foul trouble hasn’t played too much of an effect yet, but will it come back against Reedley?

The crowd has finally realized that a real basketball game is going on. The cheers are frequent and we just heard our first boos of the day on what this pro-Reedley crowd would say is a questionable traveling call.

The arena soundsystem play’s Rihanna’s “S.O.S.” during the timeout. On purpose? I most honestly think so.

2^nd Half 7:17 ­- #00 Asim Demmin of Reedley puts up a strong lay-up to cut the lead to one point. Saddleback timeout.

2^nd Half 7:40 - #11 Brian Burton of Reedley sinks yet another three-point shot for the Tigers to cut the lead to three points.

2^nd Half 8:24 - #12 Kyle Wallace of Saddleback commits a foul, team’s seventh. This put them into the bonus foul territory. With the game sitting so tight at 43-39 Gauchos, these extra foul shots will play in important role in the final stretch of this game. You can bank on that.

2^nd Half 9:19 – Franklin Session gets a steal, sprints down the court, and throws down a dunk to silence the crowd. Saddleback still leads 40-35.

2^nd Half 10:15 - #21 Mike Makinano (A Hawaiian! Shaka, my bruddah!) of Reedley sinks another three-point shot and the crowd erups

Both teams have sured up their rebounding troubles a bit. Strong and clean for both teams. Sesssion just demonstated that by rebounding over three people. But as I continue to make my astute observations, they reverse the trend shortly after on the ensuing shot by Session. The ball hit rim and hit six sets of hands before it hit the ground.

2^nd Half 12:08 – Menner and Hoskins have alternated the last few baskets for each team, including Menner rising up through a triple team for the lay-up. It’s a 36-32 Gaucho lead.

2^nd Half 13:01 – Saddleback had creeped out to a 7 point lead, but #20 Marquel Hoskins of Reedley hit a three pointer and a two free throws to get it back within four at 34-30 with Saddleback leading.

2^nd Half 14:36 - #5 Richard Garcia of Reedley picks up the Tigers first points of the half, and its 29-25 Saddleback.

2^nd Half 15:12 – Session picks up his third personal foul of the game.

Saddleback coach Andy Ground is up and walking around, but isn’t up to his usual firey antics on the bench yet, but I feel that will change if the score stays as close as it has. Reedley coach Brian Fonseca has taken his seat on the bench and has refrained from his hopping excercises. For now. (As I type this he just jumped back up off the bench. Nice timing, coach)

2^nd Half 17:43 – T.J. Lipold knocks down the first three-point shot of the second half and gets the Gauchos out 27-23.

2^nd Half 18:37 – Kevin Menner opens the second half scoring for Saddleback and takes back the lead, 24-23.

2^nd Half 20:00 – Saddleback starts with the ball.

The crowd for the late game (Fresno City vs Riverside) is starting to file into the arena and fill up empty seats. Their game was supposed to start right now, but all game starts were pushed back due to a triple-overtime marathon in the first game between San Bernadino Valley and City of San Francisco. The Fresno City/Riverside game will start 20 minutes after the conclusion of this game.

HALFTIME – Reedley 23, Saddleback 22

Saddleback Leaders: Points: Kevin Menner – 11; Rebounds: Kevin Menner, Franklin Session – Each with 5; Assists: Kyle Wallace, Franklin Session – Each with 2; Blocks: Franklin Session – 1; Steals: Franklin Session - 2

Reedley Leaders: Points: Justin Ayers – 7; Rebounds: Asim Demmin – 5; Assists: Marquel Hoskins – 3; Blocks: None; Steals: Asim Demmin - 2

1^st Half 0:00 – Menner gets the lead back for the Gauchos with 37 seconds left, only for #34 Jamiel Nisbett to steal it right back just before the half ends. We’ve still got a game here, folks.

1^st Half 1:26 - Saddleback’s Session is stripped of the ball of a sloppy dribble and #00 Asim Demmin of Reedley circuses his way through the paint to give Reedley their first lead since 2-0 at 21-20.

1^st Half 6:02 – Reedley’s Ayers knocks down a three-pointer and finally puts some energy back into the crowd. Although I’m sure Saddleback liked it the way it was.

1^st Half 6:36 - #33 Ramon Polo of Reedley (who hails from Gijon, Spain interestingly enough) steps to the line for a free throw and “airballed” his first shot, and he gets it from the crowd.

As AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” plays on the arena speakers (which do sound great with this song, by the way), you could say both teams are “blunderstruck” at this point. A lot of shots have been put up and a lot of fouls have been committed by both teams so far. All we’re getting so far is a lot of rim and the base of the backboard. Rebounding has been tough on both sides so far as well. Nothing has been clean. Defensive dominance or offensive struggles?

1^st Half 6:47 – Saddleback timeout. A 30 second timeout. Their first.

1^st Half 8:33 – Session takes the ball in off the inbounds pass and knocks down the first three-pointer of the contest.

1^st Half 8:39 - #23 Franklin Session of Saddleback makes a block on #23 Justin Ayers for Reedley. Ayers recovers and splits the Gaucho defense, and it’s 11-10 Saddleback

1^st Half 9:52 – Kevin Menner returns to the foul line for Saddleback for the fifth time in this first half. He’s made seven out of the ten free throws. It’s 11-6 Saddleback.

1^st Half 13:34 – The newly subbed Mack quickly ends a four minute overall scoring drought. 4-2 Saddleback.

1^st Half 13:37 – Saddleback #10 Terrell Mack and #21 Aaron Woods suv in for #24 T.J. Lipold and #12 Kyle Wallace.

Reedley’s coach is walking in a boot. He was using crutches during pregame. He is now hopping up and down the sidelines on one leg yelling at his players. It’s kind of sad, yet still kind of comical.

1^st Half 16:09 – Franklin Session records the first foul for the Gauchos.

1^st Half 16:41 – Saddleback - #41 Billy Azizi subs for #33 Sarunas Jackson

1^st Half 17:34 – Saddleback’s first points are scored on two free throws

1^st Half 18:34 – The game’s first basket is by Reedley’s #20 Marquel Hoskins, 2-0

1^st Half 20:00– Tip-off won by Reedley and we’re underway here at Selland Arena in Fresno.

Pregame

There are a lot of Reedley supporters in the building tonight who made the short 15 minute drive up here. However, Saddleback is the only team to have their cheerleaders (and student newspaper) here at the game. As much as I love the enthusiasm they show, their high-pitched encouragement does seem to echo as an annoyance in a half-filled arena.

Happy Birthday to #33 Sarunas Jackson of Saddleback. Here’s hoping it’s a good one.

Starters:

South No. 1 (27-7) Saddleback Gauchos - #4 Kevin Menner, #12 Kyle Wallace, #24 T.J. Lipold, #33 Sarunas Jackson, #21 Aaron Woods

North No. 4 (25-6) Reedley Tigers - #00 Asim Demmin, #5 Tyrell Vaughn, #20 Marquel Hoskins, #23 Justin Ayers, #34 Jamiel Nisbett

Greetings!

Hello and welcome to Gaucho Games, the unofficial blog of Saddleback College athletics and the official sports blog of Lariat.

Here at Gaucho Games, we will give you detailed accounts of many Saddleback College athletic events as well as insightful and interesting opinions on all things sports, including Saddleback College and beyond.

The writers here will be John Franz, Lariat Sports Editor, and Zach Cavanagh, Lariat Assistant Sports Editor.

We're going to get right to business here at Gaucho Games starting tomorrow, March 12. John and Zach will be traveling upstate to Fresno, CA to cover the Gaucho Men's Basketball team at the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championships at Selland Arena. The Gauchos, the No. 1 seed from the South, start out with a quarterfinal match-up with the Reedley College Tigers, the No. 4 seed from the North, on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Internet at Selland Arena pending, Zach will provide a live game blog of the game between Saddleback and Reedley. John should be providing a column that possibly be posted here at Gaucho Games and will be posted on LariatNews.com, the official website of Lariat. Zach and John will also write the official game story, which will be posted exclusively at LariatNews.com.

John and Zach will stay in Fresno to cover the team for the duration of the Gauchos' run at the State Title.

Welcome, thank you, and come back again.