SAN RAFAEL, Calif - San Rafael dominated Rancho Cotate Thursday night in a non league contest, 72-28.
Rancho Cotate, fresh off its tournament win at the Trojan Classic, may have had a bit of lingering effect from the three-day tournament. The Cougars fell behind early and often, and trailed at the half 40-9.
“It was a good team effort on the defensive end for us. Holding them to nine points in the first half was huge. Their spirits were down and our’s were rising, and that helped a lot,” said San Rafael head coach Brett Mitchell.
San Rafael went on an 18-0 run between the middle of the first and middle of the second quarter to turn a 6-5 lead into a 24-5 lead and end any hopes of Rancho Cotate competing.
“We had been playing pretty well defensively, just we have had trouble scoring the ball. It helped us that a lot of shots fell tonight for our confidence,” Mitchell added.
The two teams started out close. Hayden Hattenbach was able to use his size to an advantage and grabbed two quick buckets to put San Rafael up early. After a bucket by Drew Caveney, Malik Roby was able to get Rancho Cotate on the board with a pair of free throws, and Javion Scott hit a three to bring it to 6-5.
With the game out of reach early, it gave Rancho Cotate head coach Mike Washington time to try some different rotations of guys and get everyone a fair amount of playing time.
The second quarter was a 22-4 spurt by San Rafael. Aiding part of the ongoing 18-0 run was Jack Miller, who had eight points in the second quarter, and Charles Allyn who had five. Miller, using his size and toughness was able to generate contact and get to the free throw line often.
“We were able to take advantage of our size. It allows our guards to drive the lane because other teams are so worried about our size,” Mitchell commented.
Hattenbach was limited in action after a strong start due to early foul trouble sidelined him for much of the rest of the half.
Andrew Pengel scored his only points of the night on a floater to end the 18-0 run with a little less than five minutes to go in the second. It’s his lowest scoring night of the year. Chris Stanfield scored the only other bucket for Rancho in the quarter.
The third quarter was much more evenly matched. Hattenbach got back into action and quickly droppin in eight points. He had a chance for more, but a bad pass mulled what could have been a very nice alley-oop dunk. Gustavo Fonseca, using his own size was able to grab four points on some nice post work inside.
Scott continued his nice play for Rancho Cotate. Another three point basket, and an and-one provided a mini spark for the Cougars off a turnover Ryan Hoxsie and Johnny Breitmeyer pitched in with a three pointer each.
A running clock in the fourth quarter made it go by quicker, and it also spread out the scoring. Some of the guys who don’t usually see the floor got to Thursday night. Guys like Nick Besson and James Contini for San Rafael excited the modest crowd with their buckets at the end of the game. Joseph Fernandez did the same with his put back basket.
Rancho Cotate’s lone three points came on a Sai Vadrawale bucket and-one.
“It’s a good win for us. Excited for our game Saturday against Novato. It’ll be a big one,” Mitchell said.
San Rafael will host Novato on Saturday, while Rancho Cotate will also play Saturday, traveling to Ygnacio Valley.
