Pintos head in the right direction, improve to 3-0 after convincing win over Russellville

California senior Alex Dalbey (22) looks to make a pass, while two Russellville defenders, including senior Zach Voss (3), try to apply defensive pressure. The Pintos won Friday night's game, 62-43.
California senior Alex Dalbey (22) looks to make a pass, while two Russellville defenders, including senior Zach Voss (3), try to apply defensive pressure. The Pintos won Friday night's game, 62-43.

California head coach Blair Scanlon had a message for his boys basketball players after Friday night's 62-43 victory over Russellville. To sum up that message: There's still room for improvement.

Although Scanlon was pleased with his team's third consecutive win to start the season, he doesn't want his kids to become complacent and overconfident. The Pintos, who were missing numerous players while football season ran long, didn't start practicing with a full roster until Nov. 24.

"We're fortunate to be 3-0, but we have a long way to go," Scanlon said. "Being 3-0 doesn't really mean much right now. It's early and we have 22 games left. I'm not looking too much into it.

"There are always positives, but I know what's coming up. The teams only get better and better and better. We can't hang our head on being 3-0. We have to keep working, keep understanding the game. We're still behind everybody else, the way I see it, because we missed three weeks of practice."

The Pintos began the regular season with decisive wins over Warrensburg (53-42), Dixon (69-57) and Russellville.

"We're an average team right now, but I like our potential," Scanlon said. "I don't want to be satisfied with it, and I don't want the guys to be satisfied. They have to look at the big picture and understand it gets way, way tougher."

California senior forward Drew Norton agreed with his coach's assessment, saying the Pintos won three games they were supposed to win. Russellville, which fell behind 21-11 after the first quarter and 32-20 at halftime, cut the deficit to eight points in the third quarter but never got closer.

"No disrespect to the other three teams, but we were more athletic," Norton said. "We still have a lot of work to do and a long way to go. But we're a pretty competitive bunch."

On the other side of Friday's outcome, Russellville head coach Zane Garr tried to remain positive. Although the Indians' record fell to 1-4, Garr has been encouraged by the effort of his players. Aside from the California game, Russellville's other losses had been close margins.

"You can learn lessons from a game like this," Garr said on Friday. "Our guys learn from these situations. It's a process. We're a young team and need to learn how to win. My boys are fighters, they work hard. We get in slumps and give away leads, but for the most part, we fight back."

Against California, the Indians chipped away early in the third quarter, getting within 34-26 after senior Levi Anderson's jumper and senior Zach Voss' free throw. The Pintos responded, however, with a layup by senior Damon Shaw and jumper from junior Landon Mouse to push the lead back to 12 points.

Russellville tried to stay close in the fourth quarter, but California used a 6-0 run to take a commanding 60-36 edge with 2:44 left. Senior Jaden Barr started the spurt with a layup, followed by Shaw's layup and senior Alex Dalbey's layup.

"Give them credit, they hung around for a little bit," Scanlon said. "But I don't think we played real well. We're making steady strides."

Barr led the way against Russellville, finishing with 19 points. Mouse had 15 points and Shaw scored 14. For the Indians, Anderson had 22 points and Voss added 10 points.

In California's win over Dixon on Tuesday, Dec. 9, Barr had 28 points, Shaw added 17 points and senior Allan Burger scored six.