Junior Cole Martin and senior Avery Sanchez combined for nearly 50 points, leading Pitman High’s boys basketball team to a convincing 72-47 victory over Tokay (Lodi) in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I play-in game Tuesday.
With the victory, the No. 16 Pride (24-5) advance to take on top-seeded Modesto Christian (21-7) tonight in Salida. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
Martin finished with a game-high 28 points, while Sanchez totaled 21 — neither played much in the fourth quarter — and helped Pitman snap a three-game losing streak.
“I’m pleased with the way we played tonight,” said head coach Harvey Marable. “We were able to get that load off our shoulders after having lost three in a row. I just want to enjoy this one a little before thinking about the next one.”
The Pride faltered down the stretch in Central California Athletic League play, falling to Enochs, Turlock, and Gregori, and leaving them with a precarious play-in game and a date with the three-time defending section champs.
“Modesto Christian is obviously the No. 1 seed in the section for a reason,” said Sanchez. “I’m just looking at it as another chance to go out there and play, and represent my high school, and enjoy time with my teammates.
“As a competitor you always want to see how you stack up against the best, but no matter how the game goes, it’ll be a joy for me.”
Martin agreed.
“Basketball’s fun, and we’re just going to go out there and have fun,” said Martin. “Whatever happens, happens. If you go out there and leave it all on the floor, what else can you say?”
Pitman was able to put the Tigers away early, jumping out to a 28-12 first-quarter lead and never looking back.
Martin accounted for 13 points in the first eight minutes of action, while Sanchez tallied nine in the opening stanza.
The Pride pulled down 10 rebounds in the quarter — seven defensive and three offensive — to just two caroms for Tokay.
Sanchez’s younger brother, freshman Ty Sanchez, finished the game with 12 points, all coming on shots from beyond the arc.
The elder Sanchez was playing for the final time in the Pitman gymnasium.
“I think I’ve done a good job over the years of being present and trying to take in the moment,” said Sanchez, looking dapper in a two-button charcoal-gray suit. “Our Pit Crew (student section) is amazing and our band is the best high school band I’ve ever seen. But tonight, I definitely looked around and took it all in.”
