GONZALES — A flurry of points by host Palma Chieftains in the first quarter had the Gonzales Spartan basketball team looking up at the 24-3 deficit. The Spartans played much better in the final three quarters but could not overcome the deficit in a 59-30 loss in the first round of the Central Coast Section Division IV playoffs.
“Team came out nervous a little overwhelmed and Palma hit their first six shots and two 3’s in the last 30 seconds of the first quarter,” said Gonzales head coach and Athletic Director Bo Bueller. “We calmed down and played well the rest of the game and just couldn’t get the offense going. Credit Palma on defense, they pressured ball handlers and focused on containing Pablo Villasenor. Our young guys, Xavier Cervantes and Jayson Flores, gave us a spark in the second quarter. It was just a different level of competition and the boys saw what needs to be done.”
Cervantes led the Spartans in scoring with six points. Flores, Villasenor, Alex Morga, and Isaiah Banuelos scored five points apiece, and Gonzalo Villagomez and Jonathan Ganaden score two points apiece.
