Atwater boys end basketball season with win over Buhach

Close games have been the trademark of the Atwater boys basketball team, with over half of its league contests being decided by four points or fewer.

Unfortunately for coach Jason Boesch and company, the Falcons usually have found themselves on the wrong side of the ledger in those games, dropping four of the five by a combined 11 points. Atwater managed to buck the trend in Wednesday night’s season finale against crosstown rival Buhach Colony.

The Falcons were in control, up 13 with about a minute and a half to go, when Buhach staged a wild rally and pulled within two in the final seconds. Kyle Anaya hit a free throw to make it a three-point game, and BC’s length-of-the-court heave as time expired fell well short, and Atwater held on for a 66-63 victory at the Thunderdome.

“It’s about time one of those games goes our way,” said Boesch, whose team finished the season 12-14 overall and 4-6 in the Central California Conference. “It’s been tough having so many close losses. We make a free throw here or turn the ball over one less time here or get one more basket to fall there, and it could have been a very different season.

“It’s nice to finish it with a win.”

Only four players scored for Atwater in the victory, but they did it in bunches. Juan Walle had a game-high 20 points, Anaya chipped in 18, and Chewy Garcia and Reggie Ricks each added 14.

Jaswinder Bidwal paced the Thunder (11-16, 5-5 CCC) with 16 points, while Jake Walejko and Darius Mack each scored 11. Buhach Colony already had secured the league’s third and final playoff spot entering Wednesday night.

College men

West Hills 96, Merced College 62 in Merced – Anthony Nolen had the hot hand, pouring in a game-high 27 points in the Blue Devils’ loss.

Jose Gonzalez added nine points and Jonathan Chairez eight as MC (2-20, 0-9 CVC) dropped its 17th straight.

College women

Merced College 70, West Hills 68 in Merced – Jovanah Arrington (game-high 25 points) ended a drought of five straight free-throw misses by the Lady Devils, burying the game winners with two seconds to play.

Mele Tupouata just missed a double double in the victory, adding 19 points and nine rebounds for MC (13-12, 5-4 CVC).

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 12:09 AM with the headline "Atwater boys end basketball season with win over Buhach."