They’re getting there.
Santa Barbara High’s boys basketball team made its home debut at J.R. Richards Gym on Tuesday night and looked like a team that’s not quite up to speed yet, losing to Atascadero 48-36.
And while the Dons (0-7) are still looking for their first win, they’ve already found a group of guys who are going to play hard in the process.
The two teams were even in the second half, scoring 23 points apiece, and the Dons went on an 8-0 run in the final period. They won the fourth quarter 14-9.
“Every loss motivates us. Every loss makes us work harder,” said Enrique Madrigal, who scored a game-high nine points, including seven straight in the fourth quarter. He went 3-for-3 from the field.
Confidence is something that Santa Barbara will need to stockpile in order to improve, as they seemed hesitant to shoot outside shots. The Dons went 15-for-38 on field goals and shot just 5-for-12 from the charity stripe.
Santa Barbara's Daniel Marshall goes up for a shot in the second half.
“Offensively we need to figure out our rhythm. We make some positive strides, but then we get stuck and it’s hard to get it going again,” said coach Chris Hantgin. “We’re trying to attack from the inside-out, but maybe we need to shoot a few more jump-shots. We’ve been shooting at such a low percentage that they’re a little gun shy.”
Daniel Marshall added eight points for the Dons while Clifford Anderson and R.J. Rosborough each pulled down four rebounds. The Greyhounds were balanced, with 12 players scoring and no one in double-figures.
A trey by Atascadero’s Matt O’Connell gave the Greyhounds a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. The visitors built the lead up to 12 at 21-9 midway through the second. Marshall made a lay-up with seven ticks left in the half to send it into the break with Atascadero up 25-13.
Marshall buried a bank shot to open the third quarter, but the Greyhounds took off from there and led by 17 — 39-22 — heading into the fourth.
The Dons wouldn’t give up, as the defense forced an Atascadero shot-clock violation with 6:22 remaining. A couple minutes later, Santa Barbara’s Daniel Hedden frustratedly spiked the ball and was called for a technical with 4:37 left. Although Atascadero (7-3) nailed all three ensuing free throws, it showed some fire and may have had something to do with the 8-0 run that began for Santa Barbara shortly after.
“I’m encouraged by their desire and effort, and we have good character guys so we’re just gonna keep working,” said Hantgin.
The Dons will have to do much of that work in game situations, as four more games are on tap for this week beginning with a road contest at Arleta on Wednesday.
ATASCADERO 48, SANTA BARBARA 36
ATASCADERO — O’Connell 5, Walker 6, Norris 5, Evans 4, Haskell 1, McMillan 7, Mislansky 8, Barber 3, Allen 1, Snyder 3, Slavin 1, Hendrickson 4. Totals 17 11-22 48.
SANTA BARBARA — Aronson 5, Madrigal 9, Hedden 2, Marshall 8, Anderson 2, Rosborough 6, Adams 2, Martinez 2. Totals 15 5-12 36.
Atascadero…13 12 14 9 — 48
Santa Barbara…7 6 9 14 — 36
3-point goals — A 3 (Barber, O’Connell, Snyder), SB 1 (Aronson). Total fouls — A 14, SB 18. Fouled out — Hedden. Technicals — Hedden, McMillan.
