The Central Section boys basketball playoffs start this Friday with six divisions. The selection process takes place today (Wednesday) in Kingsburg and both Dos Palos and Firebaugh will likely be placed in Div. VI.
Both teams squared off last Friday in Dos Palos and the Broncos swept the season series against their West Sierra League foe with a close, 56-54 victory.
In a game that had a bit of everything, including a referee collapsing on the court, the victory for Dos Palos came from a dominating defensive and rebounding effort by the Broncos and an extremely cold shooting night for Firebaugh.
The Eagles have traditionally relied on the three-point basket and their shooting touch abandoned them. They made only six of 16 shots from beyond the arc, plus the constant defensive pressure by Dos Palos forced numerous turnovers.
Add to that the Broncos dominance on the boards, usually allowing Firebaugh only one shot for the majority of the night.
But despite all that, Firebaugh was in position to win the game in the final minute but missed the shot to tie the game at the final buzzer.
Senior Ajay Esparza led Dos Palos with 16 points, followed by teammate Santiago Olivo. The junior finished with 14 points, eight of which came at the free throw line.
Bronco head coach Anthony Goncalves said that with the score close throughout, it turned into an exciting evening.
“There was a lot of energy in the building,” Goncalves said. “We probably should have won by 10 or more, but we couldn’t make our free throws,” noting that his team finished 10 for 29 at the charity stripe.
“I’ve said it before. When Ajay shows up, we win,” said the coach. “He dominated the boards and the interior. Everyone rebounded. Isaiah Romero, Tevin Clay, and Anthony Lish was phenomenal.”
Goncalves also noted that when play continued after the referee collapsed early in the third quarter, it took a while for both teams to regroup.
“This was something they have never seen before. Heck, I’ve never seen it happen,” he said. “After we started playing again, I don’t think a point was scored for three or four minutes.”
The referee was checked out by medical personnel. He was not transported and driven home after the game finished.
Guard Luis Rios led Firebaugh with 14 points.
