Wolverines Put Out Lodi Flames

Sometimes, the best offensive is a good defense.

That's what helped the Rosemont High School boys varsity basketball team earn a solid 53-40 win over Lodi High School yesterday at Rosemont High School.

The Wolverines held the Flames to just three baskets in the first half, including just five free throws – and no baskets – in the second quarter. The halftime score was 22-13 with Rosemont in the lead.

There was more offense in the second half and Rosemont was able to match Lodi's offense in the third quarter. During the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Rosemont increased its lead to double digits before the game ended.

The win felt good for senior guard Lamar Henderson.

"I thought we played good tonight," Henderson said. "I thought we played as a team, a family and a unit. Everybody was doing their job; everybody was getting into the right positions."

Head Coach Frank Maestas was impressed with his team's defense in the game and thought it played an important role in the win.

"From a team defense standpoint, I thought the guys really trusted each other a little more," Maestas said. "To rotate and do the things we wanted to defensively – and that's important – to trust each other, to know that you're going to have some help."

Maestas said what's important for his team to remember this season is to not let emotions get too high or low after every game.

"We just played a very tough Monterey Trail team, but we were able to change that negative into a positive on defense," Maestas said.

Maestas added that he would have liked to play more games before the winter break to see how his defense holds up.

"Yeah, it would have been nice from a defensive standpoint to play another game sooner than later to see if we can maintain that, but that's basketball – on any level," Maestas said. "The NBA can play for five straight days and then not play for another five days. That's just the way the schedule works and you just got to do it. We're not alone in that."

Some of Rosemont's high scorers of the game included forward Rich Mayberry, who had 14 points for the game. Both Derrick Thomas and Spencer Hayward had 11 points.