Trojans drop Hounds to open season

By Adam Brewer

MVI Sports

The California boys basketball team finally opened their 2020-21 season, it just took a couple of weeks.

Like so many other local basketball teams, Cal had to deal with all the COVID-19 implications and had to get the set number of practices in before opening the season.

But on Friday, the Trojans showed no rust at all against rival Monessen,  putting up 21 first-quarter points en route to picking up an impressive 71-62 victory on the road in Section 4-2A action.

“We just looked at tonight as a positive,” Cal coach Aaron Balla said. “I think we were all anxious and eager to play. The kids executed the game plan and we were able to make some early shots. We knew our legs would go later in the game and we would hit a wall, but to build that early lead in the first half was key.”

Friday’s game was the first time the two local rivals met on the basketball court since 2015-16, when they were in the same section.

The Trojans (1-0, 1-0) had six players reach the scoresheet in the opening eight minutes and that offensive balance continued throughout the night. 

Hunter Assad garnered a team-high 18 points, while Kwondre Porter and Payton Conte added 15 apiece. Nathan O’Savage chipped in with nine.

“We had balance tonight and our interior passing was crucial for our offense,” Balla said. “This group is unselfish and very fundamental. They are an experienced group and I think they showed a lot of energy on the court. Obviously, we have to clean up some things, but we take a lot of positives out of here tonight.”

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