Prep boys’ basketball: Bella Vista continues string of upset wins in double-OT thriller
Resilience and mental toughness go a long way on the basketball court. Especially in double-overtime games.
Entering the week as the No. 20 team in the Bee’s boys’ basketball rankings, the Bella Vista Broncos sit perhaps right where they prefer to be: quietly flying under the radar, picking off higher-ranked teams one by one.
With a 70-65 double-overtime win Wednesday against Pleasant Grove (10-3) at Woodcreek High School, the Broncos took down the third area team pegged above them in the Bee’s 2020–21 season rankings – so far.
“I’ll put our guys against anyone,” said Bella Vista coach David Gonzalez.
Gonzalez has been on the Bella Vista sideline and faculty for more than 20 years. He’s survived the peaks and valleys of the program. This year’s bunch is starting an upswing, following season win totals of one, five, five, six and four over the last five campaigns. After Wednesday’s win, the Broncos were at 8-3.
“With this group, we have more guys that love the game,” Gonzalez said. “If it was about wins and losses, I’d have gotten out a long time ago. But they love to play. The biggest thing is that they’re there.”
No strangers to close ballgames this season, the Broncos have five wins of five points or less, including a 55-52 win over No. 11 El Camino, a 66-63 win over No. 15 Del Oro and Wednesday’s two-OT victory over No. 16 Pleasant Grove.
“This is a tough group,” Gonzalez said. “We don’t give up. They keep fighting and fighting, and I think that says a lot about their character.”
Senior point guard Nick Lira shook off a slow start to score 17 of his team-high 19 points in the second half and overtime. His and-one runner in the lane in the second overtime closed the door on the Eagles.
“Double-overtime was tough, man. I’m not gonna lie,” Lira said. “I was winded, but the energy just kept me going and my teammates kept me going as well.”
It wasn’t all Lira, who went 10 points above his season scoring average Wednesday. Xander Womeldorf’s 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime. Brandon Carlton chipped in 18 points and sent away several Pleasant Grove shot attempts on defense. Jack Raymond and Dylan Harms each produced double-figures for the Broncos.
“We’re a team who, when we decide we’re gonna defend, we’re gonna be pretty good,” Gonzalez said. “When we get after teams defensively in the halfcourt, that’s when we’re at our best. Our two-through-five players can play anywhere and guard any spot.”
Bella Vista seems well on its way to its first winning season since 2015–16. But the schedule doesn’t get much easier after the New Year. The Broncos are in the Capital Valley Conference, which boasts Bee No. 5 Inderkum, No. 12 Antelope and always dangerous Roseville, Woodcreek, Yuba City and River Valley.
As the wins keep piling up, the Broncos will undoubtedly move off of that No. 20 spot. But Bella Vista has its eyes on more than just a ranking.
“We’re coming for that league title,” Lira said. “We might not look it. We don’t fit the picture. We don’t got that size, but our defense and the way we play with our heart, we’re coming for that link title.”
Bella Vista begins CVC play on Jan. 4 at Inderkum.