Jags Escape Wildcat Trap

The Boulder Creek Jaguars preserved their undefeated regional record on Friday but did so by the slimmest of margins, winning 58-56 at Jaguar gymnasium. The Jags, and their fans, have become accustomed to winning by comfortable margins but not this night. The Willow Canyon Wildcats turned the tables on the Jaguars and displayed an aggressive defense of their own, forcing the Jags to turn the ball over far too often and work extremely hard for every hoop they got. Every Jag possession was challenged and Boulder Creek's shooting percentage was well below the norm. With only 7 seconds remaining in a tie game it looked like Boulder Creek was headed for overtime. If that happened the Jags were looking at overtime without senior center Alex Dykhuizen, who had been whistled for his 5th foul moments earlier. Not relishing that prospect Coach Randy Walker called a time out to draw up a play designed to give the Jags one last scoring opportunity. After the ball was inbounded in the backcourt, a text book back screen was set by by Joe Simpson, and sophomore Weston Newell spotted a wide open Ryan Crane streaking for the basket. Newell reacted quickly and launched a pinpoint perfect pass. Crane caught it in stride and side stepped a defender. One dribble, a kiss off the glass, and it was over. The ball fell through the net just as time expired. A collective sigh of relief was palpable in the gymnasium and Jaguar nation erupted.

All in attendance agreed the Jags were very fortunate to escape with this win. Though the tough Wildcat defense had a lot to do with it, the Jaguars were not sharp offensively all night long. Boulder Creek was led by Josh Braun (13 points, 5 rebounds), Joe Simpson (12 points, 7 rebounds), Alex Dykhuizen (9 points, 14 rebounds), Weston Newell (9 points, 4 rebounds), Ryan Crane (8 points, 4 rebounds) and Ryan Zettle (4 assists, 4 rebounds). Tellingly, for the first time all season the Jags had more turnovers (14) than assists (12) and shot only 32% from the field, both rare occurrences for this team. But winning ugly is a lot better than losing pretty and the Jags will learn winning close games under pressure is valuable experience that can help them come tournament time.

Boulder Creek took time out before tipoff to recognize three seniors that have been mainstays for the Jags for the past four years; Ryan Crane, Alex Dykhuizen and Benji Rutan. The seniors were honored in a short pre-game ceremony and presented with framed action posters and a card signed by their teammates as expressions of gratitude and recognition of their significant contributions to the program. The Jags now turn their attention to their final regional game on Tuesday when they travel to Valley Vista. A win there and they enter the playoffs at 24-2. a remarkable season by any standard. They then prepare for the state playoffs which will get underway at Boulder Creek on Feb 25th. The Jags remain ranked at #1 in Class 5A but will need to raise their level of play to match the competition they will soon face. The team needs Jaguar nation to come out in force on Feb 25th to support the team and their march toward a state championship.