The Santiago Shark’s basketball team hosted the Norco Cougars on Wednesday, Jan. 29, losing their fifth consecutive league game and falling to an 11 – 12 record.

Struggling to maintain possession and drive the ball down the lane, the Sharks are desperately attempting to alter their play style to accommodate their lack of an ability to drive without starting point guard Brandon Guerrero (12) who was injured in the third quarter attempting to strip the ball from an opposing player.

The first quarter showcased impressive offensive capability from the Sharks, including an early dunk from forward Brennan Merchant, 12. Despite a blazing offense, the Shark defense faltered, allowing seventeen points in the first quarter while only scoring twelve. Later in the second quarter, defensive play remained a problem- with Santiago trailing at the half by a score of 37 – 31.

Possessing the same tone as the last quarter, the third quarter proved disappointing for the Sharks’ point guard Brandon Guerrero suffered an indiscernible injury and would not return, and a late Norco spurt gave them a seven point 51 – 44 lead at the end of the quarter. Invigorated by a fallen comrade, the Sharks cut the Norco lead to three with a dunk from Nate Barker, 11, to cut the Norco lead to three with 5:30 left in the fourth quarter. Attempting to strategically foul their way into forcing an overtime, the Sharks were unsuccessful in this endeavor, ultimately losing the game by a score of 65 – 61.

Sporting a winless league record, whatever playoff hopes the Sharks may have envisioned are quickly diminishing, and without a spectacular winning streak to fuel them towards the postseason, the Shark seniors may have a much shorter season than previously thought.