Napa boys sweep Big Game with 55-44 win over Vintage
A hot start can be all that’s needed to win a game. Any bit of separation is nice when you’re able to just fend the opponent off.
On Monday night in Crusher Gym, this is what Napa High did as they beat Vintage, 55-44, in the second Big Game of the season.
The Grizzlies (9-12 overall, 6-2 Vine Valley Athletic League) took control of the contest in the first quarter when they ran off a 7-0 scoring burst to give them an early 13-4 lead.
“Obviously, to get out and take a lead is nice,” Napa High head coach Carson Carattini said of the key run early. “We would have liked to make it a little bit more comfortable throughout the rest of the way, but I think we did a good job of just kind of keeping them at a distance and making them really work for everything. So, we were able to execute when we wanted to and get some big buckets from some guys. So, it was nice to get out ahead early and play with the lead.”
One of the reasons Napa was able to get control early is the fact that they settled down and played the game, not letting the atmosphere be too much.
“Those guys have played these guys eight, nine times,” Carattini added. “So just being comfortable being in this gym and just understanding that it’s just another game for us, and we want to play the same way every night. So, coming out, knowing we want to execute and attack, and how we want to do that, and where we can attack our opponents, and just understand the game plan. They did a good job.”
But maybe the biggest and most important reason the Grizzlies were able to win this game was the great offensive performance they got from a trio of players in double digits.
“Just ball movement,” Napa senior guard Cris Rendon said as to how they ended up with a trio of players in double figures. “The ball movement all night is moving off the ball and just trying to find one more pass.”
Leading them all was Rendon. The senior finished with a game-leading 15 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double performance. He scored 8 points in the first half and made 3 of 6 shots from the free-throw line.
“I think he’s a tough matchup for them,” Carattini explained of Rendon. “He’s a big, physical guard, finishes well around the rim. He can defend, obviously rebounds really well. I think he’s a good matchup for us most nights, just being so strong and athletic, that’s tough to stop. So, he had another good night.”
This is also the second time this season Rendon has led the Napa offense in scoring in the Big Game. He enjoys the rivalry, and it brings the best out of him on the floor.
“It’s the energy of the crowd,” Rendon said as to why the rivalry brings his best play out. “I love the crowd booing me and like talking badly about me, and it just brings my confidence up.”
Also in double figures for the game, helping the cause was Henry MacPherson. He finished with 14 points and 2 rebounds. MacPherson also made four shots from behind the three-point line in the game. He was a bit more effective in the first half, scoring 8 points.
“I think schematically, we want to space the floor, and we want to be able to get our guys in the right spots, and they all understand where their strengths are and where they need to be,” Carattini said of MacPherson’s game. “Just being unselfish and allowing him to get to his spots, and allowing other guys to play from their spots where they’re comfortable and they spend a lot of time, so he got hot.”
Rounding out the trio was senior center Will Flynn. Fresh off being named last week’s Athlete of the Week, he finished with another double-double of 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. He scored 7 points in the first half, all coming in the first quarter. He also made all 7 free throws he took in the game.
Others scoring in the game for the Grizzlies were Tideus Chaidez (6 points, 7 rebounds), Asher Mendenhall (5 points), and Sawyer Knecht (2 points, 1 rebound).
With the win, Napa has swept the Big Game season series for the first time since 2018-19, when they won the inaugural league title. This win also extends their winning streak against Napa County opponents to 9.
As for Vintage (7-15, 2-6 VVAL), they made the game interesting in the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run. This cut the deficit to 7 with a little over four minutes to go.
“I just think we started to rotate properly, and we started taking the best shot instead of the first shot,” Vintage head coach Matt Uffmann said. “I think we got into a habit, especially there in the second quarter, even somewhat in the third quarter, of taking the first shot we’re given instead of taking the best shot.”
In the second half, the Crushers also matched Napa to keep it a close game all the way through.
Leading the Vintage offense in the game was sophomore guard Austin Broyles. He finished with a team-high of 9 points and 2 rebounds.
“He’s improved tremendously over this season,” Uffmann added. “It’s why we see him in the starting lineup. He earned that, not in games, but in practice, giving it 100% every drill, whatever it is we ask, he’s willing to do it, even on the defensive end, he gives his best effort every time.”
Also scoring for the Crushers in the game were Rory Holland (8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocked shots), Joey La Monica (8 points, 5 rebounds), Wyatt Rohrs (6 points, 3 rebounds), Hayden Biederman (5 points, 1 rebound), Dominic Oram (4 points, 2 rebounds), Ruben Sanchez (2 points, 4 rebounds), Evan Rosette (1 point), and William Gass (1 point).
Both teams will continue the season on Wednesday at 7 pm. Napa will have its league bye, but head to Hayward to face Tennyson. As for Vintage, they’ll continue league play by hosting Petaluma.
In the previous meetings, Vintage beat Petaluma. The first win came in a non-league game on December 6th, with Vintage winning 60-5,7 and then in their first league meeting on January 10th, Vintage won 55-51.
Other VVAL games on Monday night saw Justin-Siena beat American Canyon 51-43, and Casa Grande beat Petaluma 61-44. To view the full standings click here.
Sponsored
Author
