Just E-Nef, Torres Helps Tigers To Win

Nef Torres drives to the basket in the
third quarter. Photo by Andrew Vasquez.

BY TREVOR HORN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

If great things really do come in small packages, then Nef Torres has that in spades.

The 5-foot-3 junior guard for Inderkum High School does not intimidate opponents with his size in pregame warm ups and looks as if he is wearing a uniform two sizes too big for him.

But once he is on the court, he commands attention and praise, just like Friday night when he scored 15 points on five 3-pointers, helping to lead the Inderkum varsity boys basketball team to a 57-38 rout of Woodland High School.

But it’s not just his abilities from long range. He rebounds – yes – the smallest guy on the court out hustles and out smarts all-comers.

“I know to get on the floor I have to produce and get rebounds and do the things that everyone else doesn’t do,” Torres said. “I have to have the biggest heart because I have the smallest body.”

Added Tigers head coach Rodney Haymer: “His greatest attribute is probably his basketball IQ. He is probably one of the smartest basketball players on the court at all times.”

Inderkum got off to quick 10-0 lead early in the first quarter led by Terrence White, who scored a team-high 18 points, including 10 in the opening period.

“They were focused from the beginning of the game and did exactly what they needed to do,” Haymer said of the fast start for Inderkum.

The game remained tight until the fourth quarter. Leading 39-30, Inderkum went on a 12-3 run to start the final period as eight Tigers scored in the quarter.

The win gives the Tigers (16-8 overall, 6-1) a one game lead over River Valley High School in the Tri-County Conference with three games to play, and puts Inderkum in the driver’s seat for the first TCC title in program history.

“The bottom line is we control our own destiny,” Haymer said. “If we win out, we win league. Everybody else needs something.”

For Torres, he says the goal of putting up a banner in the gymnasium has been the goal for this team all season.

“It’s huge, coach has been (preaching) it all year since the summer,” Torres said. “We all want it and the goal is to get that first TCC banner in history and we want to go to sections.”

Andrew Ignont (O) grabs a rebound in front of Samer Dhillon (50). Photo by Andrew Vasquez.

Terrence White (13) led Inderkum with 18 points. Photo by Andrew Vasquez.