For the first time since 2021, the Pitman Pride will sit atop the Central California Athletic League standings after defeating crosstown rival Turlock 62-48 on Friday night. The win improves their league record to 7-1 while dropping the second-place Bulldogs to 5-3. With just two games left in the regular season, the win guaranteed a share of the CCAL crown.
For much of the second half, Pitman head coach Harvey Marable did not have his usual rotation at his disposal. With just over five minutes left in the third quarter, top scorer Avery Sanchez picked up his third personal foul, forcing him to the bench.
No Sanchez, no problem.
With a 30-25 lead at the time of Sanchez’s third foul and the visiting Turlock student section fired up, the Pride were quick to kill any momentum, going on a 23-12 run in the ensuing eight minutes. Leading the charge was an unfamiliar face — senior guard Jaden Aghoustin.
Despite Aghoustin seeing limited minutes in the Pride’s previous 24 games, he drained back-to-back-to-back three-pointers. He explained that a pep talk from Marable in the previous day’s practice served as a confidence booster.
“At the end of the day, we have to have each other’s backs no matter what,” Aghoustin said. “This week in practice, Coach (Marable) kept telling me that I had to knock down my shots whenever I went in. I had to stay prepared.”
While Marable knew that Aghoustin could shoot, he admitted he didn’t expect him to break out in the fashion he did.
“What he did was actually perfect timing to get us on the run. It goes back to when you have an opportunity. He loves the game, and then he had an opportunity to play and do something to contribute… You always want a team where, if one of your main (players) goes down, you have someone to support you.”
Also putting up points was sophomore Cole Martin, who scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half. Senior Justin Anderson, who totaled 13 points on the night, had six points in the third quarter without Sanchez on the floor.
Sanchez had an abundance of praise for his teammates, especially for Aghoustin.
“I'm extremely proud of him and his growth. Last year, he wasn't around as much coming from JV. This year being a senior, we get in the gym on our off days, and he's here a very good amount of the time putting out shots. He understands his role and he couldn't be happier in it. I've never heard him complain.”
As for Turlock, although it came in a losing effort, head coach Doug Cornfoot was pleased with some of the adjustments made by his team since their first meeting with the Pride, a 59-43 loss on Jan. 17. Forward Jeremiah Evans came out of the gate aggressive, scoring seven points in the paint in the first quarter while grabbing a pair of rebounds and rejecting two shots. He finished with 18 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Cornfoot explained it was part of the game plan to get the lengthy junior involved early.
“He's been actually getting better and understanding his role a little bit more,” he said. “We knew that they would focus on Andrew Johnson and so we worked on just getting Jeremiah open, going to the basket. I was pleased with the way Jeremiah played.
Johnson, meanwhile, had 12 points and four rebounds.
“They all played well,” Cornfoot continued. “But they hit some threes and we couldn't counter. We hit a couple at the end, but when you're down 14 against a good team, it's hard to come back.”
Both teams will be back in action in their home gymnasiums on Monday at 7:30 p.m. for their respective senior nights. The Pride will welcome the Enoch Eagles (11-15 overall, 3-5 in CCAL) while the Bulldogs will host the Downey Knights (9-16 overall, 5-3 in CCAL). Pitman can clinch sole possession of the league title with a win.
