Twentynine Palms Recreation sent six all-star teams to Needles this past weekend to compete in the City of Needles Annual Youth Basketball Tournament. The third- and fourth-grade boys’ team beat the team from Needles in the championship game, 24-22. Azhan Bacote was named to the All-Tournament team and Joseph Terry was named the MVP in the third-fourth grade division. The fifth- and sixth-grade girls struggled early, but improved as the tournament went on, losing a close one to Needles on Saturday. The fifth- and sixth-grade boys battled back into the championship game. After losing an early game to Beaumont, they faced them again in the championship and lost by 3 points, to earn second place in the tournament. Allen Elizondo and Jonathan Aquirre from Twentynine Palms were named to the All-Tournament team. Two teams were entered from Twentynine Palms in the seventh- and eighth-grade girls’ division. The Twentynine Palms “White” team failed to capitalize. The Twentynine Palms “Green” team won the championship. Zeriuah Maple was named to the All-Tournament team and Kate Bobadilla was named MVP. The seventh- and eighth-grade boys’ team struggled, but beat Peach Springs in their Sunday matchup.
