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Six players score 10-plus for Pitman in 73-42 win over Atwater
Pride off to best league start in over 5 years
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Dom Von Waaden scores for the Pride during their game against Atwater Wednesday. Pitman won 73-42. - photo by CANDY PADILLA/The Journal

The varsity boys’ basketball team is on a roll for the Pitman High Pride.

Six players scored in double digits and for the first time in school history the Pitman Pride have scored 70-plus points in back-to-back league contests after toppling Atwater, 73-42, on Wednesday night at home.

“We moved the ball well tonight, we hit our open looks, it was a good night,” said sophomore Dom Von Waaden who tied three teammates with a team-high 11 points. “I really try to go my hardest every time and that is just how I am, just do whatever to help the team.”

It is also the first time in school history that the Pride scored 70 or more in three consecutive contests.

During that span, Pitman has outscored its opponents by an average score of 75-41 and has won nine of its last 10 games.

“There is a lot of league games left and anything can happen and coach keeps us down and in practice we hustle and go hard every time,” said Von Waaden.

Pitman started off the first quarter by going up 22-9 after Chris Hanham notched all of his 11 points in that quarter alone before checking out due to early foul trouble.

The Pride would only commit three turnovers for the first two quarters.

“I went in aggressive and noticed my guys played me soft a little bit so I played aggressive and made the shots fall early on, but we knew we would not rely on just one guy,” said Hanham, who also had a rebound and three steals. “We are a bigger team and we have diverse guys that can do a multitude of things.”

The foul trouble didn't faze the Pride who went on an all-out attack on both sides of the ball, forcing Atwater to play out of sync and making the majority of their shots from the inside to the outside and even mid-range.

Pitman made 48 percent of its shots from the field, including nine three-pointers.

Leon Ohms was sensational again for Pitman adding 10 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal. Jando Diaz tallied 10 points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal.

The Pride never trailed for the game and led by as many as 34 points before coming away with a 31 point win.

“A 2-0 start is a good momentum booster since we have some competitive league games ahead of us,” said Hanham. “Everyone in this league always battles so we just have to tell ourselves to stay humble because we don't want it to slip.”

Von Waaden finished with four rebounds, six assists and a pair of steals to go with his team high. Isaiah Marable had 10 points, two rebounds and an assist.

“Just trying to do the little things right like make steals and go to the boards and box out, I don't care if I get the rebound but most important thing is we get the board,” said Von Waaden. “Offensively things were rolling for me. Guys were getting open and knocking their shots down so it was good.”

“In the end, defense is key, that is what we rely on the whole time,” Von Waaden added.

Pitman's next game will be at home against Merced at 7 p.m. Friday.