Tracy Press

West High’s Darius Turner charges Downey’s Brett Butler Tuesday. Photo by Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy Press

West High's Kris Beck hits one of his 3-pointers in the first quarter of their game against Downey High on Tuesday.

At a glance
Downey 57, West 52

All things considered — namely, that the Wolf Pack turned the ball over 30 times, made some rookie mistakes and were still in the game despite it all against a legitimate league-title contender — there wasn’t much to complain about Tuesday night at the Den, even though the West High boys basketball team lost to visiting Downey, 57-52.

That is, unless you’re purely win-oriented. But it’s not quite that time yet for the Wolf Pack (1-1 preseason).

“I thought we should have won the game … but I saw a lot of good things tonight,” said West coach Steve Thornton, whose team came back from an 11-4 first-quarter hole and finally led with five minutes left in the fourth, 45-44, after tying the contest three times. “The last three minutes or so, I thought we didn’t handle the situation very well — but we have quite a few guys without a lot of experience.”

It was one of the guys with experience, shooting guard Kris Beck, who gave West its first lead of the game with one of his five 3s en route to a game-high 18 points. But once they were on top, the Pack couldn’t build on it.

The teams traded the lead three times, with West last on top after a Terrance Ford layup and a Beck free throw following a technical on Downey’s Booker Hilton with about 2:30 left to go.
The 50-49 cushion didn’t last, as a Nick O’Brien jumper with 2:16 left on West’s fancy new clock put the visitors on top for good.

A few West turnovers helped the Knights (2-3 preseason) lead 55-50 with less than 30 seconds left, and although Frankie Bonifacio finished off a drive with a bucket, there wasn’t enough time for West to claw back.

“We talk about not helping the other team get the buckets,” said Downey coach Doug Streeter, who rolled out a matchup zone defense that helped the Modesto Metro Conference contenders to at least some of their 12 steals. “We made them earn their buckets, and we made some nice shots at the end. Good to finally get a road win.”

Ford had a breakout game with 14 points and added six rebounds. Center Alfonzie Young looked dominant at times, even though he put in only four. Bonifacio had six, and four other players scored three or less.

“It’s a learning experience,” said Thornton, whose squad will make the trek to Chico on Thursday for the Pleasant Valley Tournament. “Like I told the team, it’s a long season — we need to grow as we go along.”

(S) Downey 50, West 41

A back-and-forth contest ended in the visitors’ favor as the Wolf Pack turned a halftime deficit into a third-quarter lead and then into a nine-point setback.

Eric Green led all scorers with 22, his second effort with at least 20 points in as many games. Mike Saenz added seven, and Dexter Alcala chipped in four.

(F) West 50, Downey 39

Twelve points from Andrew Henderson and 10 from William Kaigler helped West, and so did keeping Downey scoreless in the third quarter.

Four players — DeSean Watson, Jarrard Miller, Stephen Grady and Rami Booth — added four points apiece. 

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written by Decades Old "West High" Basketball Fan , December 05, 2007

“I thought we should have won the game … but I saw a lot of good things tonight,”???

YES, your team should have won. And what "good things" did you see out there? Where you watching the same game as EVERYONE else was watching, Coach???

Your point guard, Frankie Bonifacio, with at least 7 turnovers (again), and you leave him in there. He looks so OUT-OF-PLACE playing that position compared to last year. Put him back to his original spot on the floor and, "DO NOT PLAY HIM AT POINT" if you want to win.

Your son, (almost) fouling out of EVERY game (just like last year), and you have him coming off of the bench first. As the 6th man? WOW!!! At best, he is a player deep on the bench. Lets NOT play players because they are family.

Terrance Ford??? I believe it's Terrance Jones. WOW, can that kid play! He is so exciting to watch. And that block of the ball ABOVE the rim, had everyone in the crowd on their feet. Great to see that you are playing a player who deserves to be out there on the floor.

Continued on next comment.....

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written by Decades Old "West High" Basketball Fan , December 05, 2007

Continued.....

Kris Beck is ALWAYS going to be Kris Beck. A GREAT shooter! I've watched him grow over the past few years and this year he is playing ALOT better defense. Hope he can stay focused, humble and know when to move the ball when his shot is not on.

"Alfonzie Young looked dominant at times"? What, with his same spin move and not looking to go hard to the basket? Big body, good shot, but slippery hands and SOFT when it comes to contact. Yep, same old Young we have come to know as NOT a factor.

Now this kid, the one in the picture, Darius Turner.... He should be your STARTING point guard. The energy he brings to the court is SOO noticeable. He is a GREAT defender and sees the floor well. I counted 5-6 Assists he had, in the limited playing time he did have. GREAT job kid, keep playing your game and MAYBE the coach will see you DESERVE to be playing more (and STARTING).

Coach Thornton, I really hope that you do well in Chico this weekend. I look forward to West's return and next home game. But in Chico, try making some MAJOR adjustments (i.e. sitting your son, moving Bonifacio to the 3-4 spot and adding Turner to the Point). As YOU said, "It’s a learning experience" so go "LEARN" in Chico that these changes NEED to be made......

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written by Always a fan , December 05, 2007

I could not agree more with what you said about Frankie, he is good player but not a point guard. Start Darius as point and like Michael back him up. Michael will get his shot to start next year , but the 6th person , no!

The kids are playing better, I could only imagine what the score ould have been if they did not have the turnovers that they had.

I thought that Kevin Brown did great on defense last night, he covered the court well.

Not sure why there was another kid in #33 for the length of time he was, I notice that Beck had to keep telling him why to be, as if he did not know the plays? How do you leave a player in that long who does not even know where to go?
Kevin and Kyle should have been in the game more.

Go West!

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written by Momz , December 05, 2007

Congrats to the Freshman Boyz for a good game. Good luck this week in tha tourney. Those who play together fly together.

#50 you are GO GETTER...GO GETTER...Wolfpack got a New Kidd on da block. Keepin'em movin.

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written by annon , December 06, 2007

As a long time fan of west myself and a HUGE supporter a selected few on the team, I agree with some of the points made in people's earlier comments, however I think it could have been written a little more TASTEFULLY!!!! I do not see the point in putting the KIDS (yes they are still kids with impressionable minds!) down. Everyone has their off nights and weaknesses, but pointing out each one on a public blog is a little unneccessary. I think that it is the coach's job to notice his mistakes and feel out players in different positions. My biggest pet peeve is allowing people who are having an off night continue to play and taking those who are hussling and are contributing out.(See how I got a point across without naming names????) No need to belittle anyone, they are out there busting their a**es to try to become better ball players, so let them! Go West!!!! Good luck in Chico....

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written by Wolfpack Family! , December 06, 2007

Woooooohoooooo Wolfpack! You guys did an awesome job! We dont know what happened in that locker room during halftime, but whatever it was...... worked! You all came out agressive and playing like a team. Good job boys! Good luck this weekend at Tokay Tournament.

To Momz.... thank you for the shout out to #50- he is the newkid on the block and is here to stay and show you how to play!!!!!!!!!