By Coach Michael Usher
The Twentynine Palms High School junior varsity and varsity boys basketball teams hosted the Yucca Valley Trojans on Thursday night in the final Desert Valley League game of the season. Both Wildcat teams won, with junior varsity avenging their only league loss, 58-41. Varsity clinched the number 2 spot in the Desert Valley League with a 68-48 win.
Varsity controlled the game on senior night, leading by double digits from the second quarter on, eventually cruising to a 68-48 win. The Wildcats were led by Junior Jaylan Bradberry with 22 tough points and 13 rebounds, and played great team defense to improve to 15-11 overall, and an 11-3 second place finish in the Desert Valley League.
JV was led by sophomore Josh Herne who scored 14 points and three rebounds, and Seth WIliford with 10 points and eight rebounds. The win brings JV to 13-4 overall, and 12-1 in league.
The Wildcats will compete in the Division 3AA playoffs next week, but will wrap up the regular season tonight at home against Division 3AA playoff-
bound AB Miller from Rialto.
Frosh-soph will begin at 3, junior varsity at 4:30, and varsity begins at 6. Please come out to support the team in this playoff tune up game.
The Yucca Valley High School boys’ basketball team finishes 6-18 overall and 5-9 (tied for 5th) in the DVL.
Jr. Rodriguez scored 23 points, five rebounds, and three assists; Noah Roy scored 12 points with four rebounds, and Bryce Mitchell made five points and 11 rebounds.
Coach Matt Jennings said the game was close up until the Trojans hit a cold streak in the end of the third quarter and no baskets were falling. There was a lot of improvement made from last season with only two wins. “We are looking to build on the momentum we have finishing this season and the success we saw in the JV and Frosh programs. Thank you to all who came out to support us and cheered us on.”
The JV Trojans lost 58-41. Their overall record is 16-3 and 13-1 (and a share of the league title) in the Desert Valley League.
Cesar Olvera scored eight points; Terrell Brown, Tayten Shartel, Jehu Jimenez scored six points each.
Coach Jon Price said, “The team really had a tough time shooting in the Twentynine Palms gym. But the season was very successful and we are looking to show our Trojan pride as we prepare for next season.”
