While a 5-1 Sunset League record isn’t as attractive as 6-0, the FV basketball team picked up the former, facing off against Huntington Beach on Jan
uary 25th. It was a noble effort by the Barons, but Huntington Beach pulled it through faster, and the Oilers collected a 15 point victory, ending the game with a score of 67-52.
The Oilers learned how much a threat Josh Armstrong (‘13) was from the last square-off, and they did much to keep the ball away from the potent guard. That strategy freed up Jackson Gatlin (‘13) who dropped a three-pointer at 1:23 in the first quarter, making the score 16-14, Huntington Beach up by only 2 points. A final shot was made by Jacob Meyer at the buzzer to thin the lead to 20-19, Huntington Beach up.
With the Oilers were playing a tough outside game and getting great rebounds, it was hard for the Barons to muster up their layups throughout the second quarter. Jackson Gatlin pulled through, however, with a crowd-pleasing dunk at 6:03 of the second quarter, trying to close an Oiler lead with 27-26. The first half ended with a score of 38-33, Huntington Beach up.
Throughout the second half, Fountain Valley straddled close behind. Jackson Gatlin would not go down without a fight, and produced two consecutive blocks at the closing seconds of the second half. The contest ended with a 67-52 Baron defeat away from home.
Josh Armstrong and Jackson Gatlin ended the game with 18 points each. Gatlin also gave a tremendous defensive presence with 14 rebounds and 5 blocks.
The next game will be at home against Newport Harbor on January 30th.
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