Warrior Basketball
Junior Cory Lange had a tremendous week for the Warriors knocking down
36 points agains BCHS and 19 against Taft. The Warriors won both games to
finish SSL play at 8-2. Photo by Michael Duffy, The Tehachapi News.
Posted by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News, on March 3, 2011 Warrior Pride Sinks BCHS Eagles
Even though the Fourth-of-July will not be here for another five months, there were still plenty of fireworks on display last Thursday night at the Tehachapi High Basketball gym.
The explosive finale was highlighted by a standing ovation by the home spectators, who showed their appreciation for a dazzling 85-60 throttling by the Warriors over previously league unbeaten Bakersfield Christian.
"We were looking for a night where we were able to shoot the ball like this," said head coach Chris Olofson. "It's been a long season of guys coming out late (due to football) and injuries. But tonight, we're healthy, we're together and we gave the game of the year."
The first quarter set the tone, with Tehachapi setting a season-high in points in one quarter with 34 scored. The opening stanza was capped by a phenomenal half court three-pointer by Cory Lange to put the Warriors up 34-21 and the visitors shell-shocked.
"Getting the crowd into it was big, our guys just came out and played hard and things really went our way," added Olofson.
Lange helped put the nail in the coffin in the second half, throwing down a thunderous dunk and eventually finishing with 36 points, six assists, six rebounds and six steals. Lange has saved his best games for BCHS, closing out the first contest against Bakersfield Christian (19-7; 9-1 SSL) with 41 points scored.
"We're just hot right now and we're ready for the playoffs," said Lange. "We started off rough, but we're hot right now."
Serving up points from long distance was Nick Phillips, who finished with 17 points in a strong perimeter shooting game. Levi Garrett also had nine points, while Kash Knudson, Travis Farewell, Dallas Scaggs and Darren Smith combined for 32 points.
Tehachapi (14-12; 8-2 SSL) also had a victory against Taft last week in a 61-52 victory, with Lange finishing with 29 points, six rebounds, five steals, two blocks and two assists.
Scaggs also had 12 points and six rebounds, Farewell had seven rebounds, Knudson had seven points and four assists and Phillips, Smith and Michael Minjares combined for seven points and five rebounds.
Up next for the Warriors are the CIF Division III section playoffs. Last season, Mountain Basketball made the quarterfinals where they fell to eventual Division III champion Ridgeview.
The first round game will be this Wednesday, Feb.23. For seeding and playoff locations, please visit cifcs.org.
"We're gelling as a team right now," Olofson said. "The BCHS game shows us what we're capable of."
Posted by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News, on March 3, 2011 Lady Warriors Trounce Taft and BCHS
Tehachapi recorded a pair of strong victories last week, dispatching Taft 66-33 and Bakersfield Christian 50-42 to conclude the SSL season.
Rheanna Cowee, who had a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds, led the win over Taft.
Other strong games came from Paige Bennett and Amanda Viselli who had 15 and 13 points, respectively, while Viselli had two steals and two assists and Bennett nine rebounds and 13 steals.
Against BCHS, Paige Bennett helped break a tie after three quarters with 16 points, six points and four assists, while Bre Farinas had 12 points, five assists and four rebounds in the win.
MacKenzie Eberle and Danielle Simpson both had six points apiece, while Simpson also had six rebounds.
With the varsity post-season set for this week, Tehachapi (15-11; 8-2 SSL) has made a strong case for a mid-to-high seed for the Central Section Division III playoffs. For seedings and game information, please visit cifcs.org.