Fast start by El Capitan basketball star propels Gauchos past Merced in CCC opener
Brody Collins had the hot hand early for the El Capitan High boys basketball team against Merced.
The Gauchos senior was scoring inside, outside and getting to the free-throw line often, as he scored 24 of his game-high 26 points in the first half.
Collins helped El Capitan build a 24-point lead by intermission as the Gauchos cruised to a 57-24 win over the Bears in the Central California Conference opener for both teams at the Stable Center.
“Brody’s fearless,” said El Capitan coach Adrian Hurtado. “He’s never met a shot he didn’t like and when they’re going down like they were early he can be tough to guard.”
Both Merced and El Capitan earned shares of the CCC championship in a three-way tie atop the conference with Atwater last season.
Both the Bears and Gauchos came into CCC play with identical 8-8 records with both teams still trying to find themselves.
Meanwhile, Atwater comes in the heavy favorite after running the table to a perfect 15-0 record during non-conference play.
With a juggernaut awaiting down Santa Fe Drive, that leaves little margin for error for other CCC teams that hope to contend with the Falcons for a CCC championship.
The Gauchos hope to emerge as that contending team.
“We’re playing with a chip on our shoulder because we feel everyone is counting us out,” Collins said. “We know we have the talent, we just haven’t showed it yet. We have to play our game.
“Our goal is to come into the game against Atwater 4-0 in league and have a chance to beat an undefeated team. Taking care of the business is just part of the process.”
Hurtado said he’s had some sleepless nights after some head-scratching losses this season, but he’s happy his senior group hasn’t given up on this team.
The Gauchos coach called Wednesday win over Merced their best defensive performance and their defense is going to have be their calling card if they’re going to remain near the top of the CCC.
El Capitan held Merced scoreless the entire first quarter as the Gauchos opened up an 11-0 lead.
The Gauchos limited the Bears to just four points in the fourth quarter.
“Our defense tonight is something I was excited about,” Hurtado said. “Merced was going to be a test for us because of their style of play. Our guys were in defensive stances. Our defense is definitely going to be in important.”
The Gauchos have two of the top players in the CCC in Collins and fellow senior Will Bain. Either of them can carry a team on any given night.
“I trust those guys as much as any coach can trust two players,” Hurtado said. “They’ve been playing together since they were little. They’ve won a lot together. They both have the green light to shoot within our system.”
If the Gauchos can get help from players like they did in the second half when Carson Trost, Angelo Tumonong and Diego Ultreras knocked down three third-quarter 3-pointers than El Capitan could find itself playing in meaningful games late in the season.
“It’s exciting because when is the last time you had a 16-0 team in our league like Atwater,” Hurtado said. “We know if we do the job in front of us, it would be exciting to get an opportunity for big games against them.”
Atwater 56, Patterson 41 — The Falcons keep rolling, improving to 16-0 on the season and 1-0 in the CCC.
Senior Colton Dukes led the way for Atwater with 19 points, including three 3-pointers. KJ Ross added 14 for the Falcons, who host Golden Valley on Friday.
Golden Valley 59, Buhach Colony 48 — The Cougars continued their hot streak, picking up their eighth win in the last nine games.
Zay Goode scored eight of his team-high 13 points in the second half to lead Golden Valley (9-8 overall, 1-0 CCC). Sophomore Jeff Tangaan added 10 points.
Kaleb Madayag led Buhach Colony (4-13, 0-1 CCC) with 21 points.
