Barstow Vikings Show Promise Despite Season-Opening Losses
The men's basketball team faced a tough start to their 2024-25 season, falling to Cuyamaca College 72-70 in double overtime and Oxnard College 78-61 at the College of the Canyons Annual Tournament.
Team Stats
Oxnard
Game Statistics | Barstow | Oxnard |
---|---|---|
Field Goals | (21-43) | (26-51) |
Field Goal % | 48.8% | 51.0% |
Rebounds | 38 | 30 |
Assists | 10 | 7 |
Turnovers | 17 | 16 |
Cuyamaca
Game Statistics | Cuyamaca | Barstow |
---|---|---|
Field Goals | (25-62) | (25-64) |
Field Goal % | 40.3% | 39.1% |
Rebounds | 28 | 53 |
Assists | 8 | 10 |
Turnovers | 19 | 24 |
Pts off Turnovers | 20 | 16 |
2nd Chance Pts | 9 | 18 |
Pts in the Paint | 34 | 36 |
Fastbreak Pts | 2 | 2 |
Bench Pts | 10 | 15 |
The men's basketball team faced a tough start to their 2024-25 season, falling to Cuyamaca College 72-70 in double overtime and Oxnard College 78-61 at the College of the Canyons Annual Tournament.
Despite the losses, Head Coach Amaurys Fermin remains optimistic, and emphasizes if they had cut down on turnovers, results would have been much different. "We were competitive all weekend, but turnovers at crucial moments cost us dearly," Fermin said, noting the 24 turnovers against Cuyamaca.
Several first-year players shone brightly, offering a glimpse into the team's promising future:
- Forward Danard Hollingsworth (St. Cloud, FL) led the Vikings with 19 points and 7 rebounds.
- Freshman Brian Shannon Jr. contributed 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
- Forward Kalen Cobb impressed with 14 points, 18 rebounds (8 offensive), and 1 block.
- Guard Kamari Stanfill (Stratford High School) added 11 points and 3 rebounds.
"We have a young roster with two sophomores and ten active freshmen," Fermin noted. "For many, this was their first taste of collegiate basketball. Our focus to continue to improve, learning from these games, and preparing for the next challenge."
Against Oxnard, Demir Conliffe led the team with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals, and 3 assists, followed by Brian Shannon and Kalen Cobb with 10 points each. The Vikings outscored the Condors in the second half, but a first-half deficit proved too much to overcome.
The team will travel to Bakersfield College on Thursday, November 14th. "We have a 'next play' mentality," Fermin added. "We're learning from these tough battles and losses. This group is committed to working together, scouting our opponents, and moving forward."