Vikings drop season opener

The Barstow Vikings men's basketball team began their 2022 campaign with a tough 86-97 loss against Oxnard College at the Clash at the Canyons basketball tournament in Santa Clarita, CA. 

The Vikings were led by Javier Benito-Gomez and Marc Docarmo both scoring 18-points.  Benito-Gomez was a perfect 7-7 from the field and 2-2 behind the 3-point line. Docarmo was 6-12 from the field and also added 4 steals. Rashawn Burrell Bonam contributed with 13-points along with 4 offensive rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, and 2 assists. On the defensive side of the ball, Adrian Gonzalez Garcia was aggressive on the boards finishing with 9 defensive and 3 offensive rebounds.

"The boys responded to our challenge to play harder," states head coach Gerry Wright. "Being down 23, we could have folded, but we started to execute more effectively and we were able to close the gap by 5-points with over a minute left in regulation. However, as is often the case, we dug a hole too deep and simply just ran out of time for a comeback."

The Vikings were within striking distance with 1:25 left on the clock. The Vikings intentionally fouled Oxnard on two consecutive possessions, placing Oxnard on the free-throw line. The Condors converted 4-4 of their free-throws which extended the lead to 9-points, securing the game for Oxnard College. 

With so many first-year players on the roster, this loss can serve as a great learning tool that every possession counts. It also reiterates what the coaching staff has been preaching before the start of the season, and that is to succeed at this level, you have to play hard throughout the whole game.