(Boyle Heights/East Los Angeles)—The Roosevelt Rough Riders, playing before their 3rd “sold out” gymnasium of the week, appeared to take everything in a cool and calm stride, as they did not disappoint any of the three crowds that came to vigorously cheer them on to victory.
On this particular game, 3/7, Saturday, they prevailed over the Delano Tigers by the score of (59-54) in front of the standing room only capacity crowd of 1,600 fans. In addition, there were also a great number of Roosevelt Rough Rider Alumni (including many former players) present, as well as those who celebrated with the team while watching it on “Live Stream” coverage, made possible by the NFHS Network’s second year Affiliate, East L.A. Sports Scene Productions.
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Everything to do with “History in the Making” has followed this special team of Rough Riders, as they confidently continue their journey during high school’s “March Madness” in the CIF/State Southern Regional Championship game against Eastside High, located in Lancaster, CA, tomorrow, 3/10. The Riders can truly acclaim that Miracles certainly do happen and that your Dreams can become Reality.
Now let’s get to the game summary of this exciting and dramatic match-up to the Rough Riders 7th consecutive playoff win, this time at the unfortunate expense of the visiting Delano Tigers, representing the East Yosemite League, under Head Coach Aaron Estrada.
Game Summary: (1st Half): The Riders trailed (4-0) as fans were starting to find their seats in the “sold-out” gymnasium. Then point guard, José Arellano and shooting guard, Jhonny Gomez put up 5 points in-a-row to grab the lead at (5-4). The tandem guard play produced 14 points, while 6’6″ Center, Cesar Romo added 3 points long with 7 rebounds. The teams traded a few more baskets before the period ended with the score reading, Riders (17), Tigers (12). The 2nd quarter was nearly a mirror of the first, with the Riders staying in front with a slight lead thanks to the offense and defense of Arellano and Gomez. However, the unwelcome, but ever-present “turn-over” gremlin, was doing his work to frustrate both Head Coaches. The Riders put up 15 points while the Tigers, duplicated their 1st quarter scoring total of 12 points. Leading the Tigers in scoring for the half were: Center, Thomas Perez with 10 points, forward, Tony Ponce with (6), forward, Vince Atencia (5), and point guard, Jerrick Alestre with 3.
HALFTIME SCORE: Roosevelt 32 Delano 24
(2nd Half): The low-scoring affair provided a fairly even balance to the game as the Riders outscored the Tigers in the 3rd quarter by just 1 point (11-10). Romo led the Rider scoring with 4, Gomez added a 3-pointer, while Arellano and Burgueño put up 2 each. Leading the Tigers was guard/wing, Angel Mendez as he scored (7) followed by forward, Tony Ponce with (2) and Thomas Perez with 1. And then we moved to the 4th and final quarter. Romo once again was the key player on offense as his post presence was critical. He scored (5) as did Arellano, who hit a big 3 point shot, and Burgueño adding (4) points on a put-back after a missed shot, and then driving baseline for a clean lay-up off the backboard. But, into the 4th quarter, Delano would not give-up without a fight as evidenced by the determined play of forwards, Ponce who powered his way to (16) points on a number of baskets made after missed shots. His teammate, Mendez, then stepped up Big Time to finish with a flurry as he added (13) points in the half, adding three huge 3-pointers as the Tigers kept pace with the Riders down the final stretch of the game. Point guard, Jerrick Alestre, while mainly directing Coach Estrada’s offense, eventually connected on (2) timely 3-pointers as the Tigers closed the gap to (4) points in the final minute. Much credit also goes to forward, Vince Atencia who provided tremendous “key” rebounding efforts during the entire 2nd half. However, in the end, the Riders capitalized on two critical Tiger turnovers that gave them possession and then time to run down the shot clock and the game clock on their final possessions, thus securing the victory.
FINAL SCORE: Roosevelt 59 Delano 54;
SPECIAL THANKS: Roosevelt Social Media Team for use of their team photo as our Featured Image.
Game Stat-Lines: Roosevelt: Arellano 20 pts/(2) – 3 pointers/4 assts/2 rebs/2 steals; Gomez 15 pts/(2) 3 pointers/4 assts/3 rebs/2 steals; Romo 14 pts/10 rebs/2 assts/2 blocks; Burgueño 6 pts/9 rebs/3 assts/2 blocks; J. Garcia 4 pts; and Mario Rangel: 2 pts.
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Delano: Ponce 16 pts/(2) 3-pointers; Mendez 13 pts/(3) 3-pointers; Perez 11 pts/5 rebs/2 assts; Alestre 9 pts/(3) 3-pointers/7 rebs/9 assts/2 blocks; and Atencia 5 pts.
Next Up: Eastside Lions (Lancaster, CA). Their overall record is (18-13) and their Golden League record is (9-5). Their Head Coach is Francisco Muñoz.
Closing Comments:
1) A Special commendation and recognition of proud Roosevelt Alumni member, Ricardo Guillen, for leading all fans from center court for all three playoff games, in saluting our Flag while the National Anthem was delivered instrumentally. Guillen, is a Vietnam War veteran and was a Coach on the Varsity Football team for 18 years.
2) Fact checkers are currently busy researching the last time an L.A. City Section team has won this many consecutive playoff games in post-season play;
3) Tomorrow’s game will be “Live Streamed” once again on the NFHSNetwork.Com. Tip-off will be at 7 pm;
4) Ticket prices for the game will be: $12 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and students with IDs, and children under 5, FREE.
5) This Delano game can still be watched by ALL current and new subscribers, by going to the NFHSNetwwork.Com and searching their Video on Demand (VOD) feature.
