18.05.12
"I think it'll be a good thing," offered 6-foot-6 junior Ben Bates, Sonora's all-tournament selection. "I think we can play a lot better."
Hopefully for Sonora, Bates is right, because the Timberwolves (10-2) winners of nine straight pounded through the Fuchs field for the second consecutive year.
A hometown crowd at Columbia College's Oak Pavilion was muted by pure Sierra dominance, especially on defense, as the Timberwolves put down a daunting marker for Weston Ranch and the rest of the VOL.
At least the rematch will take place on friendlier hardwood at Sonora's own Castle Gym. For the Wildcats, that's a start.
"They (Sierra) are hard to stop," Bates admitted. "We have to be more aggressive. We have the height. We've got to play stronger."
The game plan called for Sonora's front line Bates, 6-8 Tayler Thompson and 6-6 Mark Relei to at least complicate matters for tournament MVP Will Ward, Sierra's 6-5, 270-pound senior with the size-18 sneakers.
Source: Modesto Bee