Golden West has dropped three straight games in West Yosemite League play
By Patrick Dillon @PDillon_SGN
VISALIA – Golden West is off to an ill start in 2019 after losing all three of their West Yosemite League (WYL) games and falling into a tie for last place. The Trailblazers’ most recent loss came on Friday, Jan. 11 at the hands of the Lemoore Tigers 65-52.
“We played well considering our first game of the week we did not,” Golden West head coach Drew Hall said.
Golden West (7-13, 0-3) was able to keep it close against the much bigger Lemoore (12-4, 3-0) all night, but was never able to pull ahead. In the first half Golden West had a shot of taking the lead while only down one point, 21-20. They failed to do so and Lemoore pulled ahead once again.
The closest Golden West was able to get after that was six points, 48-42. That didn’t happen late in the game though, and by then Lemoore had all but closed out the win.
It was Lemoore’s height which gave them such a big advantage. Golden West tried to make as many shots from beyond the arch as they could, but when it came time to drive a lane, the Blazers were only able to attempt one layup, if they got off a clean shot at all.
“You’ve still got to drive inside,” Hall said. “It’ll just be a little tougher, but you can still score in there.”
Golden West’s Casey Hill was the Blazers only rebounding presence inside the key for much of the night.
“Hill was able to keep us in the game with so many rebounds,” Hall said.
The fight which Hall saw in his team was a good sign of things to come, considering Golden West was coming off one of their worst performances of the season. Golden West lost to the Redwood Rangers 58-31 last Wednesday. Golden West’s 31 points was their second lowest points scored in a single game in the last three seasons. They beat their lowest by one point. By halftime the Blazers trailed the Rangers 35-12.
“We came out flat,” Hall said. “Then once we got down by that much, we weren’t able to overcome it.”
Golden West is in danger of finishing in last place in the WYL for the second straight season, but if any week is primed for the picking to get a win, it is this one. Last night Golden West took on the Hanford Bullpups, who only have one win in WYL play. The final of that game occurred after press time. Friday, the Blazers will face the Miners in a battle for last place at El Diamante. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
