On Saturday the Twentynine Palms boys’ basketball teams played host to the visiting Rattlers from Rancho Mirage High School. The varsity boys lost a tough one, 80-79.
The junior varsity boys beat Rancho Mirage by a score of 74-59.
Coach Michael Usher said varsity played an outstanding team game, with five players scoring in double figures, led by senior Tarion Napolean with 19, followed by Junior Troy Tuivaiti with 16, and Jacob Hueso and Jaylan Bradberry with 13 apiece.
The Wildcats led the #11 ranked Rattlers all game, falling behind with six seconds left in the game on a putback rebound by Rancho Mirage. The loss drops the Wildcats to 9-9 on the year, and the team returns to Desert Valley League play on Tuesday at home against visiting Coachella Valley.
Junior varsity was led by sophomore Josh Herne with 21 points, and junior Kam Luna with 19 points. The JV team played great team defense, and pushed the ball all game to outrun and outpace the visiting Rattlers.
