Jags Win Cat Fight With Wildcats

The Boulder Creek Jaguars improved their record to 4-2 on Monday by virtue of a hard fought 71-69 victory over the visiting Willow Canyon Wildcats. The Jaguars were challenged the entire game by the taller and athletic Wildcats but there was no quit in the Jags even after a 20-11 first quarter deficit. The deficit was fueled largely by three successive threes from the Willow Canyon sharpshooters, who displayed long range ability throughout the contest. Boulder Creek fought back and had the Wildcats in foul trouble early in the game and for much of the evening. Slashing drives to the hoop and conversion from the charity stripe kept the Jaguars in the game and the Wildcats on their heels. Good effort on the boards and applying strong team defense enabled the Jags to erase the sizable Wildcat lead and the teams went to their halftime locker rooms with the score standing at 32-30.

Third quarter action included more of the same from the Jaguars, strong rebounding, good penetration to the basket offensively, and continuing to rack up fouls against the taller Wildcats. Foul trouble continued to plague Willow Canyon in the game, particularly their 6’8” center who was whistled for his 4th foul during the period and had to take a seat on the bench before returning and eventually fouling out. The final period was intense and neither team backed down. There were several lead changes during the period, punctuated by a huge tres by point guard Ryan Zettle (9 points, 6 assists). He was also very effective controlling the Jaguar offense and dishing to teammates for timely buckets.

Boulder Creek was once again led by Weston Newell (25 points, 9 boards, 11-14 from the line), who punished Willow Canyon with slashing moves to the basket and from the charity stripe. Josh Braun (15 points, 17 boards, 6 steals) as usual was effective scoring and was particularly strong off the boards and in the 4th quarter when the team needed him most. The Jags also got a strong effort from Joe Simpson (6 points, 5 boards) at both ends of the court. Cort Watson was his typical steady self defensively and he again led by example with his unselfish play. Reserves Stephen Crim (6 points) , Jake Hunt, Randyll Roberts, and Connor Kuchar (5 boards) all contributed big plays, needed scoring, timely assists and consistent hustle while on the court. The entire Boulder Creek roster, both starters and reserves, continues to display a defensive intensity that they are becoming known for and because of it they are never out of any game. It is obvious even to a casual observer that Coach Randy Walker and his staff focus much of their preparation on this aspect of their game plan and it is paying dividends.

The Jags next see action from December 16th through December 18th when they participate in the MidFirst Bank Horizon Invitational Tournament (held at Horizon HS, 5601 East Greenway in Scottsdale). They will take on Shadow Mountain at 6:30 PM in opening round play. The team is hoping for an early Christmas present in the form of strong fan support from Jaguar Nation during this event. Come out and see an exciting brand of high school basketball and support our Jags!