The Madera South Stallions boys basketball team received word to get started and quickly had to put together a team.
Head Coach Jody Sharp’s coaching staff is still getting acclimated to the players before the April 21 season opener against the McLane Highlanders.
The Stallions had a tough time with a more talented McLane squad that went 19-of-20 from the free throw line in a 72-41 victory.
McLane’s Anthony Gaspar almost outscored the Madera South team. He scored 36 points, including going 15-of-15 from the free throw line. The Highlanders had two other players score in double figures.
However, the Stallions had one — Vincent Rotello — with 11 points.
The Stallions kept in contact with the Highlanders, but the second half proved to be the difference.
McLane outscored the Stallions 38-17 in the second half to cruise to the victory.
The Highlanders scored seven of the first eight points before Randall Jordan found Elmer Campos or a bucket and made a layup to cut the lead to one.
However, McLane scored the next six points, but the Stallions got a free throw from Rotello and a 3-pointer from C.J. Robinson to trail 13-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Madera South used a six-point run to cut the lead down to two. Nathan Barrow made a layup, Jojo Galvan scored down low and Lucas Samaniego made a layup off a Galvan steal for a 17-15 McLane lead.
After a McLane layup, Samaniego hit a seven-foot jumper to keep the lead at two. McLane hit a 3-pointer, but Samaniego hit one of his own.
Gaspar scored the next five points to extend the lead to seven. After a Galvan offensive putback, Gaspar added two more free throws.
Rotello kept the Stallions in the game with a five-foot jumper from Galvan to trail by five.
Gaspar closed the first half with a 3-pointer and two free throws to open a 34-24 halftime lead.
McLane opened the run to 12-0 with the first seven points of the third quarter before Galvan hit a 3-pointer.
McLane came back with a 3-pointer and a bucket for a 17-3 run and open an 18-point lead.
A runner by Rotello at the end of the third quarter got the Stallions within 20.
Rotello hit a short jumper, but Gaspar hit a 15-footer to keep the 20-point lead.
Robins hit a 3-pointer and Rotello hit a 15-foot jumper to cut the lead to 15. McLane followed with a 3-pointer and two Gaspar free throws to close the game.
Despite a Rotello jumper, McLane went on a 13-0 run to close out the game for a 72-41 win.