Central Union High's Jakob Salgado attempts a layup against Southwest High during a game Tuesday in El Centro. |
Storming back with a 45-point second half, the Central Union High boys’ basketball team pulled into a tie for first place in the Imperial Valley League with the Southwest High after beating the Eagles, 66-54, on the Eagles’ court Tuesday.
The Eagles dominated the first half, leading 27-21 at halftime. But Central caught fire after the intermission and outscored Southwest, 21-8, in the third quarter and poured in 25 more points in the fourth quarter.
“I think we got used to the noise, maybe they were more comfortable and for some reason we do better in the third quarter,” Central head coach Marty Zwart said. “We didn’t make that many adjustments, it’s the kids ultimately that win the game.”
Central sophomore forward Jakob Salgado, who had 18 points agreed, giving the coaching staff the credit.
“We’re a second-half team, we always do that,” Salgado said. “Our coaches motivate us and tells us what our mistakes are so we play better.”
Also coming alive in the second half was another Central sophomore, center Luis Vizcano, who scored 11 of his 15 points in the final two quarters.
“My teammates found me and set me up for easy baskets,” Vizcano said. “Southwest had the length … they are able to block shots ... but we were able to move around them.”
Central senior Ricardo Vega led all scorers with 19 but Zwart needed the help of his sophomores and got it.
“I think that both of them did a good job, Vizcano can disrupt shots on defense and does a good job rebounding,” Zwart said. “Salgado was very active on both ends of the court too but it was a team effort.”
The Eagles have been successful lately with their 1-3-1 zone defense but Central was able to penetrate and ultimately force Southwest to play man-to-man.
“We knew they would do the zone and we had to move the zone around by passing and when we did, the shots were open,” Salgado said.
Southwest put three players in double figures, Patrick McNeece with 16 points while Chris Arambula and Jesus Madrigal had 11 points each.
“We came out after halftime flat and let them get back into the game,” Southwest coach Ruben Valenzuela said. “We need to get better at playing a complete game and we didn’t do that tonight.”
Friday night, Central (9-10, 2-1 IVL) travels to Brawley to open up the Imperial Valley League’s second round at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile the Southwest boys’ team (9-13, 2-1 IVL) will be part of a doubleheader at the Eagles’ gym with the Southwest girls playing Calexico High at 5:30 p.m. with and the boys at 7 p.m. Friday.
The Eagles dominated the first half, leading 27-21 at halftime. But Central caught fire after the intermission and outscored Southwest, 21-8, in the third quarter and poured in 25 more points in the fourth quarter.
“I think we got used to the noise, maybe they were more comfortable and for some reason we do better in the third quarter,” Central head coach Marty Zwart said. “We didn’t make that many adjustments, it’s the kids ultimately that win the game.”
Central sophomore forward Jakob Salgado, who had 18 points agreed, giving the coaching staff the credit.
“We’re a second-half team, we always do that,” Salgado said. “Our coaches motivate us and tells us what our mistakes are so we play better.”
Also coming alive in the second half was another Central sophomore, center Luis Vizcano, who scored 11 of his 15 points in the final two quarters.
“My teammates found me and set me up for easy baskets,” Vizcano said. “Southwest had the length … they are able to block shots ... but we were able to move around them.”
Central senior Ricardo Vega led all scorers with 19 but Zwart needed the help of his sophomores and got it.
“I think that both of them did a good job, Vizcano can disrupt shots on defense and does a good job rebounding,” Zwart said. “Salgado was very active on both ends of the court too but it was a team effort.”
The Eagles have been successful lately with their 1-3-1 zone defense but Central was able to penetrate and ultimately force Southwest to play man-to-man.
“We knew they would do the zone and we had to move the zone around by passing and when we did, the shots were open,” Salgado said.
Southwest put three players in double figures, Patrick McNeece with 16 points while Chris Arambula and Jesus Madrigal had 11 points each.
“We came out after halftime flat and let them get back into the game,” Southwest coach Ruben Valenzuela said. “We need to get better at playing a complete game and we didn’t do that tonight.”
Friday night, Central (9-10, 2-1 IVL) travels to Brawley to open up the Imperial Valley League’s second round at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile the Southwest boys’ team (9-13, 2-1 IVL) will be part of a doubleheader at the Eagles’ gym with the Southwest girls playing Calexico High at 5:30 p.m. with and the boys at 7 p.m. Friday.
