Take a quick scan of Pitman High’s boys basketball roster and you’ll notice it’s cluttered with underclassmen. Of the 12 players listed, only three are seniors. But watch them play and it doesn’t take long to realize that the Pride plays like a bunch of seasoned veterans.
That savvy was on full display Wednesday as Pitman cruised to a 59-43 Central California Athletic League victory over crosstown rival Turlock at Bulldog Arena.
“I like how they’re playing,” said Pitman head coach Harvey Marable. “It’s funny, I told them today that I’m blessed to have an opportunity to work with them and watch them grow and to learn from them.”
With the victory, Pitman (14-6) remains the only unbeaten team in conference play with a 3-0 mark, one game clear of Downey (7-12) and Enochs (9-11). Turlock (8-9), meanwhile, is tied with Gregori (10-10) at 1-2 in CCAL action, a game ahead of winless Modesto (4-14).
Turlock was on the road Friday night, taking on Downey, while Pitman traveled to take on Enochs.
The Pride’s beyond-their-years cool was most evident when playing defense. Their active hands and constant harassment of the passing lanes led to numerous turnovers and easy baskets.
“Marable is a mastermind of a defensive coach,” said junior guard Avery Sanchez, a three-year varsity player. “When you’re playing for a guy like him that truly loves and truly loves his players and truly is a great guy, it’s easy to buy in.”
The Bulldogs had to fight hard to complete simple passes, and it seemed to sap them of any aggression. Though the game was called loosely by the officiating crew, Turlock attempted just two free throws in the contest —those came early in the first quarter — and never consistently attacked the rim.
“I thought the officials kind of let it get too rough,” said THS head coach Doug Cornfoot. “You were around back when a hand check was a foul. Now, you can use the forearm and push off when you drive. Maybe I’m seeing the wrong thing and maybe I’m old school, but those used to be fouls.”
Turlock actually looked like the more composed team early on. But a missed dunk that would’ve given the Bulldogs an 8-2 lead with about 4 minutes left in the first quarter sparked a 16-0 Pitman run that resulted in an 18-6 lead. Peter Wilson, who led the Bulldogs with 13 points, stopped the bleeding with a 3-pointer that made it 18-9 with about 5 minutes left in the second quarter. That was the last time Turlock would be within double digits of Pitman on the scoreboard.
“Against a good team like Pitman, you can’t dig yourself a 16-points, 18-point hole and expect to come back,” said Cornoot, who’s team trailed by as many as 21 in the contest. “They’re too good a team.”
Sanchez and sophomore Cole Martin led all scorers with 19 points, while Justin Anderson, a senior, tallied 16.
After the game, Marable took time to speak about the late John Williams, the THS assistant coach who was killed in auto accident last month.
“Even though this was the rival game, it was a strange feeling to come in here to play this game and John Williams is not here after 20-some years,” said Marable. “I just wanted to say that, and prayers go out to his family.”