GUSTINE — It was a tough start to league play for the Gustine Reds on Friday night. Facing a disciplined Denair Coyotes squad, the Reds struggled to find their rhythm early, ultimately falling 73-16 at home. The loss moves Gustine to 0-9 on the season as they look to find their footing in conference action.
The Coyotes jumped out to an aggressive start, suffocating the Reds’ offense from the opening tip. Gustine finally broke the seal when Frank Silvera knocked down a mid-range jump shot to get the home crowd on their feet. Later in the period, Emilio Caballero flashed his speed with a coast-to-coast fast-break layup. Despite those sparks, Denair’s high-low game proved too much, leaving the Reds trailing 20-4 at the end of the first.
The second quarter proved even more difficult for the Reds. Denair mounted a massive 24-0 scoring run, capitalizing on turnovers and second-chance points. Gustine was unable to find the bottom of the net for the duration of the period, heading into the locker room facing a 49-4 deficit.
The Reds showed plenty of heart in the third quarter, refusing to let the game slip away quietly. Alex Palomino ended the scoring drought by drawing contact and sinking two clutch free throws.
Emilio Caballero then took over the offensive load for Gustine with a driving layup through traffic. And two successful free throws on the following possession. He also finished a layup through a foul (though he missed the subsequent free throw).
Despite the 8-point surge by Caballero, Denair continued to score consistently, leading 64-12 heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter began with a bang as #21 Jason Corona drained a deep three-pointer for the Reds. Alex Palomino remained aggressive, drawing another foul on a drive to the hoop, though he couldn’t convert at the line. Caballero added one final point to his tally from the charity stripe, finishing as the Reds’ primary offensive engine in the second half.
Upcoming Game
The Reds (0-9) will remain at home as they search for their first victory of the season. They are set to host the Mariposa Grizzlies on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Gustine.
