By Alex A. Gonzalez
Temple City – In an offensive onslaught Friday night, the Temple City Rams scored fast and often as they outpaced visiting Monrovia thanks to Jake Vasquez, who dropped a team high 18 points in the Rams’ 66-49 win at Temple City High School.
Read more: Rams, Vasquez, Vanquish Wildcats
From the jump, the Rams’ half-court offense utilized their quickness to get around the Wildcat defense. Gavin Hang, who had a game-high nine assists, camped out at the free-throw line and connected with a man cutting to the basket.
On defense, the Rams suffocated Wildcat guards Hudson Zamudio and Madden Caudillo as they crossed half-court. In fact, their first four possessions ended in either a turnover or a missed shot attempt.
The fast-paced Rams built an 11-2 run before M-Town had to call a timeout. However, the adjustments did not work, as the Rams ended the first quarter up 23-9.
Monrovia was able to make a comeback as the second quarter started, thanks to Joseph Banuelos and Julian Cardenas, who were able to convert from 3-point territory. The defense also woke up for the Wildcats, who, too, used their full-court trap to confuse the Rams’ offense.
Then, after Damon Simmons’ deep 3-point bucket got his team within eight points, the Wildcats outscored TC 15-10 as they closed the half but were still down 33-24 at the break.
Eight points was the closest the Wildcats got to the Rams as Vasquez took over in the third quarter, helping the Rams build their lead to as many as 20 points.
As the second half started, both Hang and Justin Wong were able to find ways to fluster Monrovia’s backcourt into ill-advised passes or turnovers that would then lead to fast break opportunities at the other end.
Vasquez and the Rams defense tallied five steals and three turnovers in the third quarter as they held Monrovia to five points in the quarter.
Temple City kept the pressure up as the final frame started but then took its foot off the gas. The entire Rams team scored at least one basket as they closed the night out.
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