The Hilmar High varsity boys basketball team put on quite a performance Thursday night when they hosted Delhi High in a non-league contest.
Hilmar senior Carter Azevedo accomplished an uncommon triple-double in the Yellowjackets’ final non-conference game against the Delhi Hawks while Jonas Tate added a double-double in the process and the 'Jackets secured their fourth straight win, 64-36.
“They are a good team, they are huge. They have guys over 6-foot-6, and we are around 6-foot-3, that matters in basketball, but you know... our kids played hard tonight,” said Delhi head coach Brian de la Porte. “We were without our top player, Aiden Rocha, who sprained his ankle Wednesday in practice.”
“We are coming along well. They’ve all been playing together since they were in seventh grade,” said Hilmar head coach Craig Peterson of the seniors. “Carter has only been playing for three weeks cause of football and so he is kind of coming along well... perfect timing and Jonas is a beast inside right now.”
Tate was more than just effective after he finished the game with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Azevedo shattered the stat line after finishing with 17 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
“On defense, any team will face a big guy like Jonas so I think we will always have an advantage on defense we just have to execute and focus on stopping their key guys,” said Peterson.
Delhi was limited to just 19 first half points after containing the paint with Tate guarding and controlling the inside.
The Hawks were down 22-14 in the second quarter before Hilmar went up 36-19 at halftime after Tate and Azevedo scored 13 of the next 14 points to take a big lead heading into the third.
Hilmar outscored Delhi 13-4 in the third quarter alone, essentially securing the win with a 15-13 run in the fourth.
Hilmar's Will Tate added nine points as the team goes to 7-8 heading into league play.
“Pretty satisfied, I was missing Gage, but everyone played well,” said Peterson. “They all went out and the tips and steals went well. Having the football guys at first and getting sick after the Pacific Grove tournament was rough, but winning four in a row, we are happy and will get film on Hughson and start watching for Wednesday.”
The Hawks of Delhi also had to deal without their starting point guard and captain being out.
“(Rocha) is averaging close to 14 or 15 points per game, he is our point guard, he is a big part of our team... he is our quarterback,” said de la Porte. “So, losing him hurt, but even then, some kids played good tonight and did some things well... that is a good team, they are a tough team that will do well in the TVL.”
With the loss, Delhi has dropped eight straight and goes to 1-10 overall.
Juan Vazquez finished with a team-high 13 points for Delhi. Alvin Prasad added seven and Victor Ambriz scored six points.
Hilmar will open up Trans-Valley League play with a road contest at Hughson at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Delhi will next take on Gustine on the road at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
