Giants men's basketball falls to San Francisco in clash of state powers
By Nick Giannandrea
COS ATHLETICS
College of the Sequoias men's basketball coach Dallas Jensen was spot on.
After watching perennial power City College of San Francisco lose a night earlier, Jensen predicted that the Rams would be well-prepared for their clash against the Giants in a matchup of two state preseason top-seven ranked teams.
That they were.
State preseason No. 7-ranked San Francisco never trailed after giving up the game's first two points en route to an 84-71 victory over No. 5 Sequoias on Nov. 17 during the finale of the two-day, four-team Giants Classic that also drew Contra Costa and L.A. Southwest to Porter Field House.
San Francisco lost to L.A. Southwest 74-70 on Nov. 16.
The Giants (3-1) forced three first half ties, that last at 17-17 on a layup by Alex Argandar (Modesto) with 7:03 left before halftime.
But 4 minutes later, the Rams (6-1) built a 10-point lead 29-19 on two free throws by William Williams before settling for a 36-27 lead at the end of the first half.
San Francisco opened the second half on a 5-0 that extended its lead to 14 points (41-27), and Sequoias never got closer than five points the rest of the way.
After the Giants cut the deficit to 59-54 on an offensive rebound and basket by Jaden Haire (Hanford West High) at the 10:18 mark, the Rams responded with a 17-7 run to stretch their lead to 15 points (76-61) with 4:17 remaining in the game.
The game was won in part at the free throw line, where San Francisco went 25 of 30 (83.3 percent) compared to a 7-of-12 performance (58.3 percent) by Sequoias.
The Rams outshot the Giants 42.9 percent (24 pof 56) to 39.7 percent (27 of 68) from the field overall.
Jose Cuello (Harlem, N.Y.) led Sequoias with 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and a block.
Cameron Clark (Gwinnett, Ga.) delivered 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal, while Haire contributed 12 points, eight rebounds and an assist.
The Giants also received eight points and a rebound from Lazamion McGruder (Canton, Miss.); seven points, six rebounds and an assist from Jaylon Lee (Las Vegas); five points, three assists, two rebounds and a block from Argandar; three points, two rebounds and an assist from Davis White (Santa Clarita); three points, two rebounds and an assist from Omari Newbit (Sacramento); three points and a rebound from Kion Hayes (Savannah, Ga.); and two points, two rebounds and a block from James Freeman (Sacramento).
Williams had 19 points, three rebounds and an assist to power San Francisco.
Sequoias returns to action at 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at San Jose (5-1).
The Giants get a rematch against the Rams at 5 p.m. Dec. 1 during the opening night of the two-day San Francisco Classic.
Sequoias' next home game is set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 against Palo Verde (3-2).
