- Merced opens league play by dominating last year’s Sac-Joaquin Section D3 runner-up.
- Bears have won 6 of their last 8 games.
Wednesday, January 14th, marked the beginning of league play for CCC high school basketball. The El Capitan Gauchos opened at home against Merced High in a highly anticipated matchup that had the Gauchos’ Stable Center rumbling with cheers and chants from both student bodies.
El Capitan opened the scoring early as Anthony Jones secured the first basket of the game, followed by another two-point score from Guerin Bliss to give the Gauchos an early advantage. Merced answered through Aiden Matsuo, who scored the Bears’ first basket. The quarter remained competitive as both teams traded points, with J’Marion Ervin contributing for El Capitan and Merced finding offense from Jordan Thomas. The pace slowed late in the period as fouls sent players to the free-throw line, allowing Merced to edge ahead. By the end of the first quarter, Merced held a close 10-8 lead.
Early in the second quarter, El Capitan briefly regained momentum, as J’Marion Ervin scored at the free-throw line and freshman Zach Owens added a basket to give the Gauchos the lead. Merced center Nicholas Adams made his presence felt in the second quarter by snatching rebounds on offense and defense, giving the Bears the advantage they needed to gain the lead. The Bears then began to pull away as Aiden Matsuo and Diego Aguilar connected on big shots, including back-to-back three-pointers from Aguilar that energized the crowd. Kameron Rangel added points inside as Merced continued to build separation. El Capitan closed the half with a basket from forward Austin Gooding in the final seconds, but Merced carried a 28-18 lead into halftime.
In the second half, El Capitan was able to score early in the quarter, but the Bears immediately responded. As the quarter played out, the Gauchos appeared to feel the pressure from the Merced defense. The Bears in full court press were able to halt the Gauchos offense, forcing numerous turnovers as they quickly built upon their lead. Rushed passes from El Capitan turned into turnovers that became quick transition points for Merced. Before the end of the third quarter, Merced went on a 19-4 run, which gave them a commanding 47-24 lead.
In the fourth quarter, El Capitan continued their collapse with missed free throws, intercepted passes, and sloppy turnovers. The Bears, meanwhile, were able to get continuous baskets in the key, including one from Adrian Rosales. Merced’s consistent offense and strong defensive presence helped them close out the game and secure an overwhelming 60-32 victory.
Merced basketball coach Jacob Meneley acknowledged the team’s slow start in the first quarter but highlighted how their preparation during a long offseason paid off. “They finally settled down, like the group of seniors they are, and they really came through,” he said, adding that they “did what they’ve been coached to do.” Meneley praised their composure and focus, noting that once the Bears found their rhythm, “they were in control.” His remarks reflect the maturity and discipline expected from a strong and experienced team, signaling Merced’s potential to challenge for the CCC title.
Looking ahead, El Capitan travels to face Buhach Colony in their next league game. Merced will host the Los Banos Tigers, as they hope to continue their strong start to league play. Both games are scheduled for January 16th and begin at 7:15pm.
- Photos by Grace Gallegos. ↩︎
