Bulldogs stomp on Cougars in their own house
The Bulldogs prepare for the game.
January 26, 2023
The Bulldogs emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle against the Ventura Cougars in the highly-anticipated Boys Basketball rivalry game on Wed., Jan. 4.
The game started with the Cougars taking an early and dominating lead, quickly silencing the Bulldog crowd. This did not diminish the confidence of any Bulldog players, including senior point guard Colin Guenther.
“Basketball is a game of momentum and going on runs,” Guenther said. “Things can change very quickly and you just have to ease your way into the game.”
The Bulldogs did just that, easing their way into a seemingly one-sided first quarter, which quickly turned into a close and competitive one, as it ended with Buena trailing by just a single point, 13-12 Cougars.
The Bulldogs continued their momentum in the second quarter, taking the lead and extending it to a seven-point advantage at halftime with a score of 29-22, something that many players were confident would happen. One of these players being star power forward, senior Zane Carter.
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With 6:43 left in the second quarter, the Bulldogs run back on defense after extending their lead to 16-13.
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The Bulldog crowd, all on their feet, waiting for another Buena basket.
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“We were super confident going into this game,” Carter said. “Knowing that some teams we played in the past beat the Cougars by a fair amount definitely helped calm some nerves that come with playing in such an exciting environment.”
The third quarter saw the Bulldogs continue to dominate, extending their lead to 13 points with a score of 46-33. Although they were considered the visiting team, Buena’s loud and jubilant crowd helped carry the momentum and it played a big role in continuing their lead.
“It definitely gives you confidence knowing you are playing for people who want you to do well,” Guenther said.
Despite the Cougars’ best efforts to make a comeback, the Bulldogs maintained their lead throughout the fourth quarter, ultimately taking the win with a final score of 60-44.
The Bulldogs’ strong defense and quick offense were key factors in their victory, with several players scoring in double digits. Carter had a standout performance, scoring 20 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Guenther added seven points with four assists and three steals. Senior guard Daniel Ortiz put up 14 points while his brother, Junior center Luke Ortiz had three blocks.
