ROHNERT PARK >> Just because they have enough wins to qualify for the North Coast Section Division V playoffs as an at-large team might not be enough to get the Upper Lake Cougars to the postseason.
“At this point I don’t know if I even want to apply,” said a disgusted head coach Justin Dutcher after watching his team fall 67-48 to Technology in the North Central League II and regular-season finale for both of these varsity boys’ basketball squads on Tuesday night in Rohnert Park. Upper Lake beat Tech 62-58 back on Jan. 26 in Upper Lake.
“Hustle and grit got us to 15 wins and all of a sudden it’s all gone away,” Dutcher said.
Upper Lake (8-6 league, 15-10 overall) set a season goal of 15 wins and reached that mark a week ago against Sonoma Academy. The Cougars have been AWOL ever since, according to Dutcher, dropping their final two games without putting up any fight.
“A total lack of effort, hustle and heart on our part,” Dutcher said. “Why would I want to take that kind of a team to the playoffs?”
Isaac Nevarez scored 10 of Upper Lake’s 13 first-half points and finished with a team-best 18. Sal Sanchez added 10 and Derek Pritchard had eight.
Technology led 26-13 at halftime and 50-31 entering the final period.
“Reality kind of slapped them in the face,” Dutcher said of his players. “Ever since we got to 15 wins we’ve kind of drifted off. We coasted through the end.”
