The North Gym was filled with energy Wednesday night as the Warrior bench exploded with every big defensive play made, an energy that seemed to carry the team all game long.
The El Camino men’s basketball’s defense was frantic and the offense put up a balanced night which resulted in a 63-53 win over the Pasadena City College Lancers, the team’s second straight.
Freshman guard Brandon Guerrero led all scorers with 12 points, while Dantay Blanson, Dreymon Jones, and Gavin Reagan each added nine for EC, according to the final box score.
“It was good to finally string a couple of wins together,” Jones said. “All the sophomores, we felt good because it was our first time collectively playing, so we wanted to do it for each other.”
The team showed it on the floor, high-fiving and clapping in support of its teammates, and it was able to hold off a late push by the Lancers (4-13) who had cut the lead in half to eight during the final minute.
The win brings the Warriors to a 3-13 record overall, but they are 2-1 to start South Coast Conference play.
The team had lost 10 in a row, but might be getting back on track after a tough first half of the season that featured few home games.
“We went on a long streak of games where we weren’t at home and we missed that environment,” Jones said. “It feels good to finally get back home and give the fans what they want to see, a win.”
EC got out to a hot start shooting the ball, the team hit six of eight 3-pointers in the first half to build a nine-point advantage at halftime, 35-26.
Jones mentioned “striking first” as the key to getting the team’s intensity up for the whole game.
The defensive intensity was there, as EC forced 10 Lancer turnovers, and turned them into 12 points.
As team captain, Blanson noted the importance of staying together mentally and working together.
“We Just have to come with a mentality that we’re not going to allow anyone to run over us or bully us,” Blanson said. “If we play as a team like we did today, anything is possible.”
The Warriors will have a short turnaround for their next game, traveling to face the East LA College Huskies on Friday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m.
