‘We know we’re a special group.’ Atwater girls continue CCC basketball dominance
The Atwater High School girls basketball team had some extra motivation headed into Tuesday night’s game against El Capitan.
The Gauchos are the only Central California Conference team to beat the Falcons in the past 39 CCC games with a 47-42 victory last February.
“We still remember last year when they were dancing on our Falcon,” said Atwater coach JR Davis. “That’s motivation for us.”
The Falcons avenged the loss on Tuesday, routing the Gauchos 82-46 on El Capitan’s home court to improve to 6-0 in the CCC and 16-6 overall.
Davis sent a not too subtle message, leaving his starters in the entire game and pressing full court throughout the contest.
Davis says he left his players in to help the Falcons prepare for the playoffs after resting his players during fourth-quarter blowouts in other CCC wins. He also pointed to all-league voting at the end of the year because he felt his players were snubbed two years ago because some of their stats fell short when they were pulled early in games.
“If we sub early I feel we’re (cheating) our girls, so I’m going to put them out there and showcase what they can do so when we’re voting it should be clear,” Davis said.
This much is clear, the CCC once again goes through Atwater.
The Falcons have dominated the conference, winning three consecutive championships. Atwater is 39-1 in its last 40 CCC games.
Davis, who picked up his 200th career win earlier this season, believes this team may be the best he’s coached in 14 seasons leading the Falcons program.
Atwater won its third straight CCC title last year despite a roster littered with freshmen and sophomore. Now those players are a year older and the Falcons have won their last four CCC games by 59, 60, 36 and 36 points, respectively.
“I have pretty much six returners from last year who were freshmen and sophomores,” Davis said. “Last year they didn’t know how to play in those big, pressure games. I put them through that ridiculous schedule so they learned how to play, but it was different because it was the first year for the freshmen.”
“This year with the summer we’ve had and the preseason, now they have so much confidence it’s crazy.”
Junior guard Karissa Hukill led the way against the Gauchos, scoring 23 points as she closes in on 1,000 career points. Hukill is averaging 17.3 points per game this season.
Hukill said her team definitely came out motivated against El Capitan (3-2 CCC, 14-5).
“I think so,” she said. “We really wanted to come out and show what we can do. To do that we have to shut everyone else out and we just have to play.”
Hukill isn’t quite sure how close she is to her career milestone. That’s because Davis won’t tell her.
How often does she ask?
“About every day,” Hukill said.
Davis keeps it a secret because one of his former players Lexi Valencia struggled shooting when she approached her 1,000th career point.
“I really want to know, but honestly when it happens, it’s going to happen,” Hukill said. “Honestly, I’m appreciative that I can do that as a junior. I’m thankful for everyone in my life that helped put me in that position.”
The Falcons had three other players finish in double-figures scoring against El Capitan with Elvita Mota scoring 11 points and Andrea Sandoval and Cami Gibson scoring 10 each.
On the season, Jolie Hart is averaging 12.4 points and Sandoval is chipping in with 11.5 points per game.
“We have more experience and overall we’re all more connected,” Hukill said. “We’re each other’s best friend. That helps build team chemistry. We know where your teammate is going to be, you know how they are, what upsets them, what motivates them.”
The Falcons hope they can add a fourth consecutive CCC championship to the banner hanging in the gym and they can put together a deep playoff run.
“We know we’re a special group and we know we have the potential,” Hukill said. “We just have to stay focused and motivated to do it.”
