El Capitan star sets school record with 39 points in win over Buhach Colony.
Dillon Greenwood knew he had it going early against Buhach Colony on Wednesday night.
The El Capitan High senior hit two 3-pointers and scored 16 points in the first quarter alone. Greenwood was nearly unstoppable as he set a school record with a career-high 39 points in a 66-54 win over the Thunder at the Stable Center.
“My shots were falling early, I was finishing layups,” Greenwood said. “It helps being a leader. When I’m doing that, the team can follow behind me.”
Greenwood was aggressive all night. When he was open from the perimeter, he let it fly. When there was an opening in the lane, he attacked the basket.
As a fourth-year varsity player for the Gauchos, he knows his role.
“I know I’m at the top of the scouting report for each team,” Greenwood said. “I’m figuring out when I need to score - when do I need to step up, when do I need to step back.”
With a young team that features four sophomores and a freshman, Greenwood is asked to do a lot as one of the few veteran players.
Gauchos coach Adrian Hurtado is toughest on Greenwood. He admits whether it’s Greenwood’s fault or not, he’s going to get a lot of the blame when things aren’t going well.
Even on a record-setting night that was the case.
“It’s funny because at halftime and every timeout, I’m ripping Dillon about a turnover or a defensive play,” Hurtado said. “I can’t believe I didn’t realize he was playing so well.”
Hurtado knows he can be hard on Greenwood because he can take it. He’s coached him for four years. He was brought up as a freshman to prepare him to be a leader when he was a senior.
“He’s got tough skin,” Hurtado said. “He’s had me for four years and he’s coachable. He takes criticism as well as any player I’ve coached. He’s a great young man. He never talks back.”
Greenwood, who is averaging 18 points per game this season, never came off the court against the Thunder (9-7, 1-1 Central California Conference). He came up big in the fourth quarter of a tight game, scoring 11 points. He made 10 of 14 from the free-throw line.
It was a big win for the Gauchos after opening CCC play with a loss at Golden Valley.
“The GV loss was huge, so this was a big one,” Greenwood said. “We’ve got to get the train going again in the right direction and this will help.”
Joe Serena added 15 points for El Capitan (8-10, 1-1 CCC), which travels to Merced on Friday.
Gerald Braxton led the Thunder with 16 points. Jake Sapien added 12 points and Jungisham Johol scored 11 for the Thunder.
Atwater 83, Central Valley 52 in Ceres — Twelve different Falcons players scored to help win their CCC opener. Robert Smid scored 18 of his game-high 25 points in the first half. Freshman Colton Dukes added 13 points for Atwater (10-7), which hosts Patterson on Friday night.
Golden Valley 60, Patterson 39 in Patterson — Aurrion Harris led the Cougars (11-5, 2-0 CCC) with 16 points and Avery Townsel added 13 points in a road win. Golden Valley will host Central Valley on Friday at Cougar Arena.
Girls Basketball
Stone Ridge Christian 36, Big Valley Christian 25 in Merced — Caitlyn Cole lead all scorers with 14 points to help the Knights when their Central California Athletic Alliance opener. Ki’Onna Hilliard added 11 points for the Knights (12-3 overall).
