Preparing for “The Matchup”

Last Friday, the Clovis East Men’s Basketball team faced the Clovis Cougars in their TRAC home opener. The Cougs came into the game at an overall record of 8-9, and the Wolfpack was expecting a victory. And that they got. This game was very lopsided, for the experienced T-Wolves bullied the very young Cougars. It was all Clovis East after leading the first quarter, 19-7. However, it was a good learning process for the Wolfpack. They did not play down to the level of their opponent, which many high school teams are prone to do. They kept their pace and style of play throughout the game, and ended it with a score of 61-44.
Saturday would be a different story for the Timberwolves. They would take the 99-North to Sacramento to take part in the Father Kelly Tribute at Jesuit High School. They would face off against the Sacramento High Dragons in a game live-streamed on YouTube by NorCal Sports. The Wolfpack would jump out to a 19-13 lead at the end of the first quarter against a very skilled Sac High team. The T-Wolves were extremely undersized for Sac High had two players taller than 6’5”. However, the aggressive play by Carlos Fuentes, Will Wiggins, and Jermal Pittman would keep the Dragons focused on their defensive game instead of offensive. The Timberwolves would lead the whole game, but in the fourth quarter they would blow a 10 point lead and the Dragons would take a 74-72 lead with 30 seconds left. Wiggins would find Shawno Roberts at the top of the key and knock down a 3, giving CE a 75-74 lead. Two more Dragon points would give them a one point lead with Wiggins at the line shooting a 1-and-1. He would sink the first, tying the game. The second would roll around the rim and bounce off, dropping in front of Roberts. He would throw up a shot and sink it, giving the Wolfpack a 77-76 led with seconds to play. Clovis East would hold on and win by that score.
The game against Sacramento High would appear as a tune up game. The Wolfpack will welcome the #1 Clovis West Golden Eagles on Wednesday. This is a huge TRAC matchup and will have playoff implications. You will not want to miss this great game. It is #1 CW @ #2 CE! All students are free and the first 100 students will receive a free Nike “The Pack is Back” t-shirt. Get there early to secure a seat, and be ready to get rowdy and loud!!! Tip-off is at 7:00pm.
Twitter: @derek_righetti | Read all of his articles HERE.