Mountain View wins defensive battle Mountain View wins defensive battle (February 06, 2004)

Cupertino falls after Spartans get tough in final period

By Reza Kazempour

The Mountain View and Cupertino's boys' basketball teams entered last Friday's game with identical 5-1 records and a share of the El Camino Division lead. After breaking out from a pressing Cupertino defense, Mountain View walked away with a 51-47 road victory and sole possession of the division lead.

"It's exactly what we thought -- two teams in first place," said Spartans head coach Bob Heckmann. "These guys [Cupertino] are grinders. They play this way every time."

After three hard-fought quarters, Mountain View made its final push for victory. The constant defensive pressure by the Spartans created Pioneer turnovers, including eight in the fourth quarter. Three belonged to forward Greg Thacker, who was called for traveling three times late in the quarter, hindering any chances of a Cupertino comeback.

"Mountain View's ability to continue to press us, not in a full court sense always, but contest every pass we threw, wore us down," said Pioneers' coach Craig Ellegood. "We talked about that. It was a test of will. Were we going to be able to handle it and keep our composure throughout the game? Or, was Mountain View going to wear us down? And they did, because in the second half, we had 12 turnovers."

After Pioneer guard Brent Horiuchi closed the gap with a two-point basket with 17.8 seconds left in the game, it was up to junior guard Chris Dasalla to keep his composure and sink the final two free throws. Dasalla met the challenge and ended the night with 10 points.

Spartans Dustin Johnson and Kevin Metsers led the team in scoring with 11 points each. Metsers sank two three-pointers in the first half. And Johnson, who started playing more physically in the second half, sank six points in the paint. After Pioneers' Thacker traveled for the third time in the quarter, Johnson hit for two points to give the Spartans the final lead of the night at 46-45.

The Mountain View team was strong defensively, too. Center Dan Fischer had eight rebounds and two blocks, and Johnson led the team with five steals.

"Defense has been carrying us all season," said Spartans assistant coach Chad Zitzner.

The Pioneers did put up a fight, however. In the first half, guard Ehson Mortezaie created problems for the Spartan defense, nailing two three-point baskets in the first quarter. He finished the night with a game-high 15 points.

"It was tough," said Fischer. "I'm glad that we don't have to play them again, because I don't want to go through that again. That was way too tough on our team."

The next Mountain View home game will be on Feb. 18 against Saratoga, which has given the Spartans their only conference loss.

E-mail Reza Kazempour at sports@mv-voice.com

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