Coyotes fall in 2 OT to Tigers
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera’s Mark Cardoza powers to the hoop to score two of his team-high 20 points in a two-overtime loss to the Edison Tigers.
The Madera Coyotes boys basketball team fought until the end, but were unable to rescue a late win after Edison-Fresno capitalized on scoring chances in overtime 74-72 for a County/Metro Athletic Conference victory.
“I mean double overtime against a top team in our league, it couldn’t go any better,” head coach Mike Hawkins said. “Our boys played their hearts out all night and we hung in there. A couple miscues late in the game and a few missed shots ultimately doomed us. They played their hearts out, though.”
The Coyotes were neck-and-neck throughout the game, but were unable to make the shot when it mattered most. Mark Cardoza finished the game with 20 points and multiple gym-shaking dunks, but couldn’t find the bottom of the net at the end.
K’veon Jones and Michael Green got the Coyotes off to a hot start after Jones drove the his defender for the game’s first basket. Jones finished with five points.
Green, on the other hand, got his night off to quick start with a charge call.
With six minutes remaining in the first, Travon Ray received an chest pass from Green then immediately rose up over his defender for a deep 3-pointer.
The Coyotes began to fall behind after the Tigers went on a 6-0 run to end the quarter leading by 11 points.
The Coyotes opened the second quarter with intent after Arthur Flores knocked down a 15-foot jumper. Flores finished the game with 14 points.
Green continued the Coyotes attacking play with a transition jumper from 10 feet out. The Coyotes were now on a 6-0 run.
Ray pushed the run further with a deep 3-pointer. His accurate shooting was contagious after sub Gabriel Ruiz checked in and launched a 3-pointer to cut the deficit.
The Coyotes ended the quarter on a 14-3 run and cut the deficit to one. The Coyotes outscored the Tigers 22-11 in the second.
The second half opened up with a bang after Cardoza rose up past his defender with the strong two-handed jam to give the home crowd a sense of excitement.
Cardoza couldn’t be denied of a second dunk after he picked up the loose rebound and threw it down with authority. The Coyotes went on a 6-0 in behind Cardoza’s strong play.
With 40 seconds left in the third, the Coyotes got their first lead.
The fourth quarter was much tighter than the previous three. Both the Coyotes and Tigers were neck-and-neck down to the end.
The Coyotes play in the fourth was highlighted by Ruiz and Ray connecting on deep 3-pointers. Although they were in the game, a Coyotes’ miscue at the end almost cost them. Green turned the ball over with 15 seconds left, but Edison was unable to score on the ensuing possession so the game was sent into overtime.
The first overtime was highlighted by Flores, who hit a 3-pointer to keep his team in the game. The Coyotes battled the Tigers and received a foul call with two seconds remaining. Cardoza had to make two to beat the Tigers but only made one to tie the game and send it into a second overtime.
Behind Cardoza and Flores, the Coyotes made a stand in the last period but were unable to pull out the win. The Tigers capitalized on a last second layup and were able to convert with the clock expiring.
