CASTRO VALLEY >> CASTRO VALLEY – When College Prep switched to a press defense in the fourth quarter, the Middletown High School varsity boys’ basketball team jumped all over the Cougars, pulling away for a 48-35 victory on Thursday night in the winner’s semifinal round of the Redwood Christian Tournament in Castro Valley.
The victory puts Middletown (2-0) into tonight’s championship game against Redwood Christian at 8 p.m.
“I don’t know why they did it,” Middletown coach G.J. Rockwell said of the Cougars’ decision to go to a press, which the Mustangs easily broke. “We did a really good job of taking care of the ball tonight.”
It was a close game through three quarters with Middletown holding a 32-26 lead going into the final period.
“We would go on a six-point run and they would come back with a seven-point run,” Rockwell said. “There were a bunch of lead changes.”
Gabe Guzman’s play on defense in the second half – he had six steals – and his ability to hit a couple of big shots – both 3-pointers – down the stretch helped the Mustangs secure the victory.
“He really played a good game,” Rockwell said.
Jake Rivera led Middletown with 15 points, Beckett Hoage added nine and Guzman finished with seven.
“We played real good defense again and did a good job rebounding the ball,” Rockwell said.
