Stallions try to survive in loss
The Madera Tribune File Photo
Madera South point guard Daniel Valdez scored a team-high 18 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in Saturday’s loss to the Hoover Patriots. Valdez led the Stallions who were only playing with six players due to injuries, work and illness.
A day after a victory over Sanger West, the shorthanded Madera South Stallions boys basketball did what they could to stay competitive in a 72-48 loss to the Hoover-Fresno Patriots at Madera South.
The Stallions did their best to stay with the Patriots despite only having six players suit up Saturday. They even outscored the Patriots, 17-14, in the second quarter.
“They played hard to the end,” head coach Corey Edmiston said. “I’m proud of them for doing tha . In the past, we probably hung our heads a little bit and given up. I’ve seen a lot of growth in terms of mental attitude to finish the job. I was impressed.”
What hurt the Stallions the most was a 24-7 first quarter start where Hoover took a comfortable lead.
“We’ve started slow,” Edmiston said. “This team is starting to figure it out, but I don’t think they know how good they are. They’ve come a long way. We are trying to get over that mental hurdle of winning games.”
Daniel Valdez led the Stallions with 18 points to go with 14 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.
“Daniel has stepped up,” Edmiston said. “At halftime against Mendota, I went off. I told him games are going to be his time. I challenged him to be the leader and take over. He’s done a good job with that.”
Julian Camacho and Adrian Becerra each scored eight points.
Hoover jumped out to a 7-0 lead before Valdez made a free throw for the Stallions’ first points. After a pair of Hoover 3-pointers, Valdez made a reverse layup. Hoover answerd with a pair of layups before Erik Cervantes found Camacho for a layup.
Hoover added five more points before Becerra made a layup and the Stallions trailed 24-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Valdez found Camacho for a layup to open the second quarter scoring. Then, Cervantes completed a 3-point play to cut the lead to 12. After Hoover scored four points, Becerra made a layup.
Valdez answered a Hoover bucket with a layup. Hoover added five points, but Gilbert Moisa hit a 3-pointer and Becerra made a layup to cut the lead to 14.
Hoover added a pair of free throws, but Cervantes hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 37-24 at the half.
Hoover opened the second half with a flurry of points by going on a 9-0 run to jump out to a 22-point lead.
Cervantes and Valdez played give-and-go for a Valdez layup. Then, Valdez made another layup to get the lead back to 22.
Valdez made another layup off an assist by Camacho, and Becerra added a layup, but the Stallions still trailed by 19.
Valdez closed the third quarter scoring with a short jumper and the Stallions trailed 52-34.
Valdez answered a Hoover layup with a pair of free throws. Hoover scored the next six points before Camacho hit a 3-pointer.
Hoover scored eight of the next 10 points to increase its lead to 27 before Valdez made a free throw.
Naprese Adams hit a late 3-pointer and a layup for a 72-48 final.
