After Dropping back-to-back games against Cathedral Catholic and St. Augustine on Jan. 14 and Jan. 21, both league losses by less than five points, Mission Bay responded with back-to-back wins over University City and Vista Murrieta.
On Tuesday, led by a 20-point y 25-rebound night by senior Pablo Balderas, the Buccaneers continued to sail in the right direction with a convincing 69-49 victory over the Madison Warhawks, pushing their record to 16-6 on the year.
“We had played Madison one time already this season, and in that matchup, they slowed down the game and made us play their game. Tonight, we decided we wanted to come out, be aggressive and physical, and get after the ball,” said Mission Bay head Coach Marshawn Cherry.
As an aggressive defensive team, the Bucs turned up another notch against the Warhawks. In the first quarter, they would generate five of their 10 steals as a team, with Caleb Newton y Atreju De La Cruz nabbing two each in the first, allowing them to build a 14-5 lead.
Mission Bay turned on the jets offensively in the second quarter as Kevon Fitzpatrick and Balderas took over inside the paint. Fitzpatrick would score three times for six of his eventual 13 points. Balderas also posted six points to help Mission Bay grab a 35-21 lead at the half.
Balderas scored another 10 in the second half while also grabbing 15 of his eventual 25 total rebounds.
“Pablo has an unlimited motor,” Cherry dicho. “He knows his job is to be a big strong guy, who doesn't veer away from himself very often. With Clay (Grebing) being out tonight, he wanted to anchor it down for us tonight, and he did a great job of stepping up tonight.”
On two separate occasions in the second and third quarter, Madison managed to draw things back to a 12-point game. However, the Bucs quickly responded with scoring runs of their own to grow the lead a 15 points.
“It was a good sign to see the guys finish this game like they did,” Cherry dicho. “We lost the game against Cathedral where we had an eight-point lead with a minute to ir, so we are still learning how to win close games. I was pleased with how we were able to bounce back in those spots when Madison made a few pushes tonight.”
bahía de la misión will be on the road against Scripps Ranch on Friday, Jan. 31.
Photo by Steve Sidell
