Nyssa defeats Marsing 52-48
Coaches decision proves to be fruitful
By Matthew Neal
Argus Observer
Sunday, December 16, 2007 2:42 AM PST
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| Nyssa’s Eric Jensen goes up for the shot after grabbing a rebound while Marsing’s Martin Galvez defends during Nyssa’s 52-48 win over Marsing during tournament action Saturday afternoon. Nyssa’s record improves to 2-6. |
NYSSA - In a crunch, a coach has to make tough decisions, and sometimes that means putting in a young, inexperienced player.
In the case of Nyssa’s 52-48 win over Marsing, Nyssa’s coach Gabe Fuentes surely must be satisfied he made the decision to put in Sophomore Conner Fiscarelli in the last moments of the first half.
With 13 seconds left on the clock in the second period, Nyssa made the inbounds pass and got the ball to Fiscarelli.
The sophomore fired from a foot-and-a-half beyond the arc and drilled a three, giving the Bulldogs a six point lead to end the half.
“When Fiscarelli hit the three, we went up by six and he brought us that big swing we needed,” Nyssa basketball coach Fuentes said. “He’s a skilled player, but he’s young. At times during tough situations he can get the job done.”
Fiscarelli went into action again at the start of the fourth quarter with the score tied at 39. Marsing’s Martin Galvez hit a two-point shot to start the quarter’s scoring, giving the Huskies a 41-39 lead.
Fiscarelli answered with another deep bomb giving Nyssa a two-point advantage.
“I was just thinking about winning the game,” Fiscarelli said. “I was trying to focus. We played hard, and we have started to come together as a team.”
The six points he contributed to the game may not have amounted to much, but he certainly changed the momentum of the game.
Bulldog Eric Jensen’s two two-point drives and Seth Glenn’s accuracy from the charity line in the fourth helped Nyssa maintain the lead to the end.
Jensen finished with 13 and Glenn with 14. Jesse Martinez also had a good night with 12 points.
“We gave up that long three at the end of the first half and that was the difference in the game,” Marsing basketball coach Jake Walgamott said.“It was a great game for us but we didn’t knock down some shots we needed, but I’m pleased at how hard the kids played. Nyssa played really well and we played like a game is supposed to be played.”
The Huskies (1-5 overall) had a good night as well, with Jose Paramo hitting two threes and finishing with 19 points and teammate Taylor Nielsen finished with 16.
“I think they bring out the best of our competitive part,” Fuentes said. “They really push us and it helps us get ready for those big intense games.”
Nyssa’s record improved to 2-6. They travel to Baker to Play Mac-Hi next Thursday.
