Gauchos need to shake lethargic starts

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It was no surprise to Narbonne Coach Victoria Sanders that her team trailed upstart Gahr in the first quarter, 18-16, of Friday’s semifinal game in the Gahr Holiday Classic girls’ basketball tournament.

It was no surprise, either, that Narbonne outscored their hosts, 66-39, the rest of the way to win going away, 82-57.

‘We need our first half, first quarters, to be more intense,’ Sanders said. ‘It’s been a pattern. We have to break that bad habit of letting people hang around the first half, then come out and step it up in the second half.’

It will be interesting if the 12-3 Gauchos play all out against Redondo in Saturday’s championship game. Or if they will continue to slowly turn up the intensity in league play next week -- and beyond.

Of course, that appears to be the only issue remaining with the Gauchos before league play -- and beyond.

-- Mike Terry