LAKEPORT — Anthony Bazzano was a busy coach on Tuesday, pulling double duty for the Middletown Mustangs during the 17th annual Record-Bee Hoop Classic boys” basketball tournament in Lakeport.
Bazzano, the head coach of Middletown”s junior varsity, also coached the varsity Mustangs in the absence of head coach G.J. Rockwell, who will be back with the team on Thursday when tournament action resumes after Wednesday”s off day.
While coaching the JVs and varsity, Bazzano pretty much enjoyed what he was seeing as both Middletown squads were reinforced following the close of the school”s long run in the football playoffs. Both teams also beat Upper Lake on Tuesday as they began defense of their Hoop Classic titles. The JVs fought off a determined Upper Lake squad 50-38 in a game much closer than the final score indicates.
“Upper Lake, those are scrappy kids,” Bazzano said of the Cougars, who fell to 1-1 in tournament action. “KJ can flat out fill it up.”
KJ Anderson”s 19 points powered Upper Lake, which led 32-30 early in the fourth quarter. Middletown went on a 13-0 run at that point to secure the victory. Sophomore center Blaine Amos, the Mustangs” top scorer with 22, sank two baskets during the run as did Ben Pike. Dylan Thomas added a big 3-pointer with 5:02 left that gave Middletown a five-point lead.
While the Cougars were able to stick with the Mustangs for three-plus quarters, Amos” size inside finally won the day as he punished a smaller Upper Lake squad that had no answer for him.
“Most JV teams don”t know what to do with him,” Bazzano said. “I”ve got two big guys I can go to ? it”s a real luxury.”
Middletown”s other post, Nate Snodgrass, a freshman, added 10 points.
“Nate”s a real workhorse for us,” Bazzano said.
Freshman guard Wesley Thaxton, who played for Upper Lake”s varsity in its Hoop Classic opener Monday, started for the JV club on Tuesday and finished with nine points.
In the late JV game Tuesday:
Clear Lake 59, Kelseyville 30
Andrew Jackson scored eight of his team-leading 25 points in the first quarter as the Clear Lake Cardinals cruised past the Kelseyville Knights in a battle of two teams coming off Monday losses.
Clear Lake led 20-6 after one quarter and 35-15 by halftime.
Omar Vazquez had 11 points for the Cardinals.
John Mark Reagan”s 12 points paced Kelseyville.
When tournament play resumes Thursday, Lower Lake plays Upper Lake while Middletown takes on Clear Lake.
