One loss was enough for the California boys basketball team.
After starting the season 13-0, the Pintos suffered their first loss on Jan. 24, falling to Conway at the Camdenton Shootout. The Pintos were scheduled to host Boonville three days later, but the game was cancelled after the death of a Boonville parent.
California finally got back on the court Thursday night against Green Ridge, coasting past the helpless Tigers, 58-30.
"After a loss, you're ready for the next game," said Pintos junior Landon Mouse, who had 16 points against Green Ridge. "It's a sick feeling in your mouth and you want to get back to winning. We needed a bounce-back game."
The Pintos started a new winning streak the following night, beating Tri-County Conference foe Hallsville, 63-62. California senior Jaden Barr hit the game-winning jumper Friday with less than 5 seconds left, finishing with 26 points.
California, which improved to 15-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference, was ranked No. 7 in last week's Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 3 state poll.
"We still had a positive attitude after the loss," Barr said. "It wasn't our day against Conway, but we still have confidence in ourselves. It was a humbling experience to help us get better. For sitting out almost a whole week, we didn't look too rusty (against Green Ridge)."
The Pintos showed some early rust in Thursday's game, falling behind the Tigers, 10-7. California responded, taking a 25-21 halftime lead and outscoring Green Ridge 18-2 in the third quarter.
"In the first quarter, we were unfamiliar with their defense and were taking rushed shots," Barr said. "We picked up our intensity and our defense made stops. We were able to get some transition points and that helped get us going."
Green Ridge looked overwhelmed in the third quarter with California's defensive pressure.
"We switched our defense to pick up the pace," Mouse said. "They didn't have strong ball handlers, so we picked up the pace."
After the Tigers scored early in the third quarter to get within 30-23, California answered with a 13-0 run. Mouse began the rally with a layup, and senior guard Eli Freeman finished it with a 3-pointer, pushing the lead to 43-23.
Mouse led the scoring attack against Green Ridge, followed by senior Dylan Norton's 11 points, Barr's 10 and senior Alex Dalbey's nine.