Losing Builds a Hunger to Win
Zack Tuaila forcing in a layup.
On Jan. 18, the Taft Wildcats played the Cesar Chavez Titans in a divisional matchup. Taft had been on a two-game winning streak as they had beaten the Shafter Generals and the Wasco Tigers prior to this game. The Wildcats jumped into an early lead, after very good offensive possessions that lead to easy baskets for Taft. Taft stayed ahead of the Wasco Tigers the entire first quarter of the game. Although Taft was ahead, Chavez played good defense and offense and only was down three points. The score of the first quarter was 13-10 in favor of Taft.
Although the score was close, Taft managed to stay ahead of Chavez and ended the second quarter with a score of 28-21. After halftime, the intensity of the game immediately picked up as Chavez took the lead for the first time all game. Great defense from senior captains, Fano Maui and Zach Tuila, kept the ‘Cats close to the Titans as both teams went point for point. Although Taft was putting up a great fight, the Titans out scored Taft 22-13 in the third quarter. At the end of the third quarter, the overall score of the game was 44-41. The fourth quarter was very exciting as Taft fought to keep themselves in the game, but multiple three-pointers from Chavez allowed them to pull away. Taft lost to Chavez 72-59. The Taft Wildcats were 2-2 in league after this game.
