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After spending a full week on the road, CORE Butte basketball returned home on Friday, February 6, hosting Redding Christian HS for a league tripleheader featuring the boys JV, girls varsity, and boys varsity teams.
JV (3:00 p.m.)
The JV team struggled against an undefeated league opponent. They lost 59-11 to Redding Christian. The Lions set the tone and maintained it throughout the four quarters. The loss dropped CORE Butte’s JV record to 0-11 overall and 0-7 in league play, while Redding Christian improved to 10-6 overall and remained perfect in league play at 6-0.
GV (4:30 p.m.)
In the second game of the night, our girls varsity team was held to its lowest score of the season with a 42-9 loss to Redding Christian. Their defensive pressure limited CORE’s offensive opportunities from the opening minutes. GV record falls to 7-9 overall and 1-6 in league play.
BV (6:00 p.m.)
The boys varsity matchup, as is always said in these reports, showed growth despite the final score. Redding Christian jumped out early behind a barrage of perimeter shooting, which had them finish the first quarter up 21-9 after knocking down multiple three-pointers. CORE responded in the second quarter by breaking Redding Christian’s press more effectively, scoring consistently off ball movement and interior looks, but the Lions’ scoring depth pushed the halftime score to 44-19.
Redding Christian opened the third quarter with an extended run that included five made three-pointers, stretching the lead to 72-23 by the end of the period. The fourth quarter was slow due to CORE tightening its defense and limiting scoring on both ends. With 20 seconds left, A late three-pointer made by the Lynx capped the scoring and the game ended 75-26.
After the game, BV head coach Ben Salberg pointed to team growth:
“We played really good defense,” He said. “Honestly, I think it was the best I’ve seen them play as far as fundamental stuff is concerned. In the first half we were getting pressed and we broke it-that was the first time we’ve really scored consistently by breaking the press. They’ve really grown. Everybody’s playing more comfortably, with more confidence, and understanding that it’s okay to hustle.”
Next games
Girls and boys varsity teams will travel on Wednesday for an away game against Las Plumas Charter IVA, with the girls at 4:30 p.m. and the boys at 6:00 p.m. All teams will then return home on Thursday for an important game against Burney HS on senior night, the final home game before CIF section playoffs begin the following week.
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