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Sports

Los Medanos men’s basketball team loses at away game

Mustangs falters against Contra Costa’s Comets 67-63

Alicia Johnson, Staff Writer

February 7, 2025

Alicia Johnson

During last Friday’s game No. 22 Diego Lopez scans the court for his game plan near the sideline with No. 4 Joseph Gould trying to break up his rhythm.

January 31, 2025— Last Friday, the Los Medanos College men’s basketball team delivered an exciting performance against visiting team, Contra Costa Community College. The game was a fierce battle, with both teams exchanging impressive runs. Despite their efforts, the Mustangs narrowly fell short in the final moments, ending with a 63-67 loss as Contra Costa claimed the win. The Mustangs struggled early in the game, starting off slow, but they fought their way back into contention after the midway point of the first half. Their determination and resilience kept the game competitive, making for an intense matchup. Although they couldn’t secure the victory, the team’s effort and performance highlighted their ability to rally and push through challenges, questionable whistle calls from referees setting the stage for future games.

Despite a tough loss, the Mustangs remained competitive with aggressive man-to-man defense, hustle plays, and smart execution of plays designed by Head Coach Derek Domenichelli. They showed relentless effort, sacrificing their bodies while taking falls onto the floors, maintaining possession, and taking advantage of scoring opportunities. Freshman Guard Trevon O’Neal led the offensive push, helping the Mustangs reach 63 points, while key shooter Freshman Guard Victor Montez knocked down baskets. Freshman Guards Jacob Hodges and Dominick Dennis also made valuable contributions on both sides of the court, offensively and defensively. Meanwhile, Sophomore Center Tochi Onyeador played a key role, adding points, securing rebounds, and using his shot-blocking ability to protect the rim. The Mustangs’ energy, teamwork, and resilience were evident throughout the game, keeping them in contention despite the final outcome.

Last Friday’s game saw numerous contributions from the Mustangs, but it also left players reflecting on challenges faced and moments they wished they could change. One of the biggest struggles was adapting throughout the game. Freshman Guard Victor Montez highlighted this, stating, “I would say adapting to change during the game, because things will go wrong, and you have to find a way around it to win.” Meanwhile, Freshman Guard Dominick Dennis shared what he wished he and his team could have done differently. “One thing I wish I could go back and change would be to be more aggressive in taking the ball to the paint to score or look for fouls. Oftentimes, we would pass up easy shots for harder shots, and I’d change that if I could go back.” Despite these challenges, the Mustangs played with determination and grit, learning valuable lessons that they can take into future games.

This game was packed with energy and excitement, not just from the players and coaches but also from the crowd, who remained engaged throughout, especially in the thrilling final moments. The Mustangs, trailing late, staged an incredible comeback, closing the gap to 63-66 after Freshman Guard Jacob Hodges drilled a clutch three-pointer with just 6.9 seconds left. The game was an intense battle, with LMC and Contra Costa exchanging leads in a series of momentum swings. At times, the Mustangs held the advantage, only to lose it as the game progressed. The second half was particularly heated, with both teams accumulating high foul counts due to questionable referee calls. A key moment came when the Mustangs had a chance to tie the game at the free-throw line but missed the first attempt, making only the second to bring the deficit to one. Despite back to back losses, Hodges remains confident that the team will bounce back and secure a win against Napa Valley College on Feb. 5. “After these two losses, we’re gonna bounce back and beat Napa on Wednesday. We just have to be locked in from the start,” Hodges said. After this game, the Mustangs overall record is now 12-10 leading into their next game at 5:30pm at Napa Valley College hoping the expected outcome is yet another win under their belt. With the expected win at Napa Valley, the Mustangs will end the week back home hosting the Solano Falcons Feb. 7 at 5:30 in the Los Medanos gym.