GUSTINE— Basketball games can take a minor amount of momentum to change the outcome. That was the case when Gustine Reds’ basketball fell to SAL league opponent Mariposa Grizzlies’, 54-35 at home on Friday.

Mariposa Grizzlies duo of 6-foot-2 Josh Newman (13) and 6-foot Joseph Casner (2), quickly became a dynamic scoring effort against the Reds’ defense.

“If you follow our defensive principles, he doesn’t get that,” head coach Charles Roth commented. “He (Newman) doesn’t get the easy baskets, because we take away the strong side, and we force him (Newman) into a spin move or something that he (Newman) is uncomfortable with.”

The Reds had a promising pace during the first half. With Swift 3-point shots and quick post shot scores from 6-foot-3 Alex Quezada (23) and Mike Saaranzin (3). But their offensive balance would fade quickly during the second period.

A momentum shift occurred as the Reds trailed 13-15 with 7-minutes left in the second period. The Grizzlies took a timeout at an 18-19 score, and then moved quickly to 18-25 with less than 3-minutes remaining.

“We allowed him to be comfortable, of course, it’s going to be a basket or an easy pass for someone else,” coach Roth added.

From there on the dynamic Grizzly duo became a hard-to-contain offensive scheme. Making easy work for the Grizzlies’, setting-up quick fast-break scores for Casner (2). The Reds were struggling to keep pace with the Grizzlies, even after the half. 

“We just have got to stick to our principles,” coach Roth commented. “No little setbacks that can get to our head, we shouldn’t be doing that on the court.”

Roth was not overly worried about their loss. The team has the elements to win games. The significant factor is being able to stay mentally prepared and managing their downfalls.

There are still more SAL league opponents to prepare for this week. This Reds will have a home game against the Denair Coyotes at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Then the boys will travel to Waterford to play the Wildcats, starting at 7 p.m. on Friday.