Patriots look for positives in big loss to Canyon Springs
Aiden De Leon led Heritage High scorers with 11 points Thursday. (Photo by Rick Rowell) By Doug Spoon, Editor Nyron Jones knows that when ...
By Doug Spoon, Editor
Nyron Jones knows that when you’re in a major rebuilding process, there are going to be nights like this. The Heritage boys basketball coach simply wants to see signs there are better days ahead.
The bright spot Thursday night was a competitive first quarter against a tough Canyon Springs team. The rest of the game was dominated by the visiting Cougars, who scored a 71-28 Inland Valley League victory over the Patriots.
Heritage (3-12) came out strong, battling the Cougars (11-7) close throughout the first quarter. Junior guard Aiden De Leon scored his team’s first 8 points, including a 4-point play with a free throw after a 3-point shot. Heritage trailed just 11-8 after De Leon’s eighth point of the quarter, and sophomore forward Bryan Banks scored twice to help keep the game close, with Canyon Springs leading 17-12 at the quarter break.
Canyon Springs simply had too much scoring power spread around, however, and the Cougars eventually wore down the Patriots. The visitors led 19-15 before they went on a 12-0 run to take command at 31-15. Javonte Zuniga and Quinten Spears sank 3-pointers during that stretch.
The Patriots never recovered. The only basket they scored the rest of the half came from sophomore forward Aidyn Hendricks. Spears and Zuniga each made another 3-pointer in the closing minutes for a 41-17 halftime lead.
One of Heritage’s biggest problems was missed shots right under the basket. That and numerous turnovers were key factors in the game.
“It is [a problem],” Jones said about the blown layups and follow shots. “Missing the easy baskets, whether it’s contested or they’re fatigued, I don’t know.
“We played well the first quarter, then ran out of gas. This is only the second game we’ve had this particular lineup together. It’s going to take some time to gain cohesion as a group.”
De Leon led the Patriots with 11 points, followed by Banks with 7, Shaun Jordan with 6 and Hendricks with 4.
Jones, who accepted the Heritage coaching position three days into tryouts, is trying to instill the kind of positive attitude the players need to have while things happen that they sometimes don’t understand in the midst of adversity.
“They don’t understand it’s a process, but it’s my job to convey that to them,” Jones said. “Next game, next possession, next shot … don’t get caught up in what happened on the last play. Make improvements, even if they’re minimal. We’re trying to look at now as just seeing improvement in every game. You’ve got to start with baby steps.”
Bryan Banks races upcourt with the ball during Thursday night's game. (Photo by Rick Rowell)
