2008 Woodie Awards
Gladiator's on a 3-game tear
Men's basketball team running hurdles toward playoffs; first place Ohlone next in line
Edmond, A.J.
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Sports
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With an overall record of 19-9 (4-3 in conference play) Chabot stands third behind SFCC in the Coast Conference north division, and are preparing for a second appearance in the regional playoffs under head coach Dennis Aye.
When asked to assess whether he has a championship team, second year head coach Aye responded "Were nearing a state final eight team, we've made a lot of strides this year but we need to continue to be mentally tough."
In a season that has had its share of ups and downs, Chabot continues making headway toward the regional playoffs defeating SFCC, Canada, and Las Positas.
This after losing back-toback games against 6-16 Skyline, and 9-14 Foothill community colleges, losses following a victory over first place 22-2 Ohlone. Ohlone's loss was only its second all season.
Though thing's look bright for Chabot, winners of six of their last eight games, the down side remains that in Friday's victory against San Francisco City College, the Gladiators lost triple-threat Eugene Webb for the season and possibly the duration of the playoffs. Webb cracked a bone in his foot in the second half of the victory over SFCC and will be out four to six weeks.
Said coach Aye of the injured Webb "Eugene's one of our best scorers inside and out, and probably one of our best rebounders as well, so in losing him were losing a lot of variety."
The Gladiators will have to make up Webb's 9.9 points per game, including an average of 11.8 on the road. Webb has scored a season game high 20 points, and has averaged double figures in six of the last eight games.
Coach Aye also remarked "We've got a lot of depth, we've got 12 guys and we plan on using them so someone's going to have to step up and get it done."
Chabot opened Coast Conference play against San Francisco City College, and lost 65-62 in San Francisco. Clearly a team with an edge talentwise the Gladiators couldn't hang on and lost in the closing moments of that game on the road.
At home against second place SFCC the Gladiators found themselves down 28-29 at the half, and having trouble with SFCC's tough, physical defensive play.
Chabot, a team overcoming second half collapses, responded by getting back into playing NBA style hoops and smacked SFCC, running up a 10-point lead, and holding on to win 72-64, despite missing Webb's points.
The Gladiators have a chance to put the Coast Conference north in disarray this Saturday Feb. 3 when they travel to Fremont to take on Ohlone.
Chabot defeated Ohlone (22-2, 6-1 in conference play) earlier this year, 81-72 at home. A Gladiator victory would put Chabot ahead of Ohlone in the event of any tiebreaker.
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