The De Anza College men’s basketball team took charge Thursday night, Nov. 15, and fought its way to victory against the Skyline Trojans.
After a tough start to the season, when the Dons lost both games in the Las Positas Tournament, the team came together and took the lead at Skyline and never gave it back.
Playing consistently for the full 40 minutes, all players contributed to the win and did things they didn’t do the previous week during the tournament said head coach Jason Damjanovic.
With starters Abu Tratter, Shaquille Gilbert, and Devontae Bryant fouling out with two fouls each early in the first half, Damjanovic pulled players off the bench and put them into play.
“The bench contributed quite a bit to the win,” he said. “They [played] a lot of the first half .”
At the end of the first quarter, Skyline trailed De Anza by 3, with a score of 28-25.
Coming back in the second half, Tratter was “extremely active” as Damjanovic put it, ending with eight rebounds and a total of 11 points.
Guard play, which has been a strength for the men’s basketball team from the start of the season, also played well, with combo-guard Dawson Johnson led the way with consistent scoring and ball distribution.
Johnson ended the game with four field goals, 7-7 free throws and one three-pointer, a total of 16 points.
Point guards George Henderson and Denzel Copeland also played a good game, coming together to score a total of 13 points.
Damjanovic gave his players all the credit for the win. “I [told] them before the game … this game is on you guys.”
Sure enough, the players pullled themselves together and put the team back on track.
Road games being as hard as they are, with a crowd cheering for the rival team, Damjanovic said he was proud of how the team “went in there and took care of business.”
LEAPING HIGH – De Anza sophomore George Henderson (4) leaps above Skyline ‘s DJ Harvey (10) and Agustin Arroyo (15) for 2 points. (Jamie W Baker/LA VOZ WEEKLY)
EYEING THE NET – De Anza freshman Devontae Bryant (24) goes for the shot. (Jamie W Baker/LA VOZ WEEKLY)
SAVING THE BALL – De Anza sophomore Nolan Williams (30) keeps the ball in play as he falls out of bounds. (Jamie W Baker/LA VOZ WEEKLY)
