Third- and fourth-grade boys
Championship bracket
Royal Thunder 18, Panthers 16
The undefeated Royal Thunder trailed the Panthers for the majority of the game, but capitalized on uncharacteristic turnovers by the Panthers and pulled out the win and a trip to the championship game. Shakeb Tutakhil got the fourth-seeded Panthers off to a fast start, scoring seven of his eight total points in the first quarter. The top-seeded Royal Thunder struggled at first, but managed to keep the game within three points going into the fourth quarter. That’s when the big guy, Satya Kethineni, scored four crucial points to give the Thunder a one point lead, their first since the opening minutes of the game. The lead was short lived as Tutakhil, calm and collected, struck again tossing in a free throw to tie the game at 16-16. But in the waning seconds of the game, Isaac Mesones cashed in big time for the Thunder. After a Panther turnover, the fast break was on and Mesones converted the game winning score. The Thunders Tyre Richardson finished with four points, and Daniel Zepeda scored three. The Panthers David Hunter scored three points, while Andy Shu added two.
Falcons 23, Shooters 9
These two teams had met before in a game that went down to the wire, with the Shooters pulling out the victory. This time the third-seeded Shooters were outgunned by the second-seed Falcons in a game that the Falcons dominated from the tip-off. The Falcons, R.J. Merluza, with his signature white headband, might have been mistaken for Allen Iverson at times, as he scored at will and handled the ball magnificently. He led all scorers with 11 points. Daniel Spencer dominated down low and knocked in eight points of his own. The shooters Isaiah Secoquian and Giovani Bonardi each ended the game with three points, and Kyle Silva added two more.
Consolation bracket
Eagles 19, Tigers 15
The consolation tournament began with the upset of the year. The winless and fourth seeded Eagles took down the talented number one seed Tigers in overtime. The Eagles took the court like they were playing for the first place trophy. A clutch free throw by John Mirante took the game into overtime. Alavel Simmons lead the Eagles with two of his game-high eight points in the overtime period, and advanced them into the consolation championship game. Mirante and Jaden Steffens each added five points for the victors. John Harris played a tremendous fourth quarter scoring seven of his team high eight points, but foul trouble had him watching from the bench during the overtime period while the Eagles sealed the deal.
Raptors 11, Heat 6
In a matchup of equally talented teams, the third seeded Raptors played one of their best games of the year in route to upsetting the second seeded Tracy Heat. The defenses for both sides were reluctant to give up many points, but the Raptors Jesse Gonsalvez found a way to put in five points while Mychael Lawas contributed four more. The constant pressure from the Raptors made it difficult to find an easy shot, but Colton Miles found a way to lead the Heat with five points, while Gabriel Pizzolla chipped in one.
Third- and fourth-grade girls
Sparks 11, Ballers 7
The Sparks (8-0) defeated the Ballers (4-4) in a tightly contested game. The Sparks remain unblemished, overcoming two tough opponents in as many weeks. The Ballers have shown great improvement and almost took down the Sparks, but Mariah Cobb led all scorers with five points while Breyah Wilson and Rachel Van each added two for the victors. The Ballers’ Mariso Munoz, Jagveer Gill, and Stevie Rollins each added two points. The Ballers control their own destiny. With a victory over the Cowgirls in the season finally next week, they will clinch a second place trophy.
Cowgirls 10, Wild Jaguars 10
The winless Wild Jaguars (0-7-1) played like they were first place contenders, while the Cowgirls (3-4-1) couldn’t find a way to put the game away. The Jaguars’ Danielle Corell scored the most important two points of the season for her team and took the game into overtime where both teams were unable to add to their point total and the game ended in a 10-10 tie. The Jags ended their eight game losing skid, largely behind Rylie Coasta’s five points. Mariana Medrano added three points while Daniell Corell added two. The Cowgirls where lead by Gia Alegre’s team-high five points and Janessa Zamora’s three. The Cowgirls face the Ballers next week for the deciding game that will determine the second place finisher.
Fifth- and sixth-grade boys
Championship bracket
Warriors 34, Bombers 15
The top seeded and undefeated Warriors demonstrated that they intend to finish the season unblemished as they thoroughly dominated the number-four seeded Bombers. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Warriors were able to put this game away, as they held only a 21-14 entering the final frame before outscoring the Bombers 13-1 to secure the win and a spot in the division championship game. Ryan Ma continued his offensive onslaught scoring a game-high 13 points for the winners while Rany Sidiaren added nine and Jacob Hink tossed in six. For the Bombers, Colton Duke and Nigel Wilkins scored four points and Gregory Spencer chipped in three.
Young Gunz 19, Raptors 18
The Raptors nearly pulled off the upset of the second seeded Young Gunz but came up a point short in this thrilling contest. The Gunz appeared to breezing to a victory as they took an 18-14 into the fourth quarter. But the Raptors turned up the defensive pressure to limit the Gunz to a single point in the final frame and scored four of their own to close within one point, but couldn’t find the basket a final time and were knocked into the Championship bracket’s third place game with the lost. The Gunz will now face off against the Warriors for the division championship this Saturday. Grant Lassere scored a game high 11 points for the winners and Derick Corell added four. For the Raptors, the Murphy brothers once again led the way with Aaron scoring a team high 10 points and Gabriel chipping in eight.
Consolation bracket
Fuel 24, Running Rebels 17
While the Fuel were only able record one win during the regular season, the No. 4 seeded team in the Consolation bracket pulled off the upset with this win over the top-seeded Running Rebels. This was a close, back-and-forth affair until the Fuel broke the game open in the fourth quarter. The Fuel held a narrow 10-8 lead at the half and a single point 14-13 entering the final frame. But the Fuel turned up the offensive intensity in the last quarter to outscore the Rebels 10-4 to pick up the win and a spot in the Consolation brackets championship game this coming Saturday. While six of the seven Fuel players scored in the game, A.J. Pangaliman led the way scoring a game-high eight points. Helping out in the win was Kristian Ibale who scored six points and Pete Medrano who added four. For the Rebels, Victor Chavez led the team with six points, Tyrone Connor added four and Aaron Fider chipped in three.
Hornets 30, Intimidators 11
In the Consolation bracket’s other first round game, the No. 2 Hornets had an offensive explosion scoring 12 points in the first quarter to jump out to a 12-2 lead and 10 more in the third quarter to stretch their lead to 26-11 entering the fourth quarter. The Hornets then clamped down on defensive shutting out the Intimidators in the final frame to secure the win and a spot in the Consolation bracket championship game. B.J. Bennion scored a game-high 12 to lead the winners, Derek Eubanks scored 10 and Hilal Morrar chipped in four. For the Intimidators, Nicholas Liang scored six points and Giovanni Ramirez scored four.
Fifth- and sixth-grade girls
Purple Reign 8, Sky Rockets 7
The Purple Reign (4-4) continue to roll, winning their third consecutive game downing the Sky Rockets (5-3). Some impressive shooting displayed by Karina Fasislia and Payton West combined for all eight of the Purple Reign’s points in the first quarter. The Sky Rockets answered by adding five points of their own in the first, but were only able to add two more in the third quarter. Ultimately, the Reign’s first quarter onslaught was enough to end the Sky Rockets four game winning streak. No scoring information was submitted for the Sky Rockets
Hot Cheetos 13, Hotshots 10
The Hot Cheetos (5-3) ended their three game losing streak by defeating the Hotshots (2-6). The Cheetos hold on to their hope of finishing their season on top of the division and face the Sky Rockets next week for the outright champion of the division. Alyssa Iturriaga led the Cheetos with five points, while Noni Seleyze added four. The Sky Rockets Lauren Wood and Andie Garcia each played an outstanding game finishing with six and four point respectively.
Seventh- and eighth-grade coed
Championship bracket
Thunder 33, Black Hawks 8
Showing that they are ready for the division championship game, the undefeated and top-seeded Thunder dismantled the fourth-seeded Black Hawks to earn a spot in the one game winner-takes-all championship match. While the final score leaves little doubt about the outcome, the Black Hawks did a decent job defensively on the high scoring Thunder for the first three quarters, holding them to 19 points. Unfortunately the Hawks were only able to score five of their own in that time and then gave up 14 the final frame. Simratjit Brar scored a game-high 11 points for the winners, Skyler Oki and Conner Hill added six points and Jacob Brown tossed in five. For the Black Hawks, Aziz Shamal scored three points and both Jake Rodriguez and Delfino Garcia scored two.
Purple Reign 32, Mavericks 17
The second seeded Purple Reign handled the Mavericks to set up a rematch of their exciting Jan. 21 contest with the Thunder for the division championship. That game went down to the wire and this one should be just as exciting. The Reign used two big quarters, a 10-point first and 12-point fourth to down the Mavericks. Seven of the eight Purple Reign players scored in this contest led by Rubin Mann’s 12 points. Helping out with the win was Isaias Hunter with eight points and Stan Wang with four. For the Mavericks, Emilio Guzman scored eight points and Tyler Fratus seven.
Consolation bracket
Titans 45, Super Sonics 21
The consolation bracket’s top-seeded team put on an offensive show in taking this win over the Super Sonics and a spot in the Consolation brackets championship game. As one sided as the final score was, this game was a close contest for the first three quarters. The Titans held a narrow 25-21 lead entering the fourth quarter, but Luis Ayala scored twelve of his game high sixteen points in the final frame and the Titans defense shutout the Sonics for the win. In addition to Ayala’s sixteen points, Nick Goulart scored 12 points and Justin Goulart added 10. For the Sonics, Amal Thommil scored 12 points and Terrell Harper scored five.
Knights 32, Saints 8
The second-seeded Knights also demonstrated their offense abilities with this win over the Saints. The Knights jumped out to a 12-0 lead after the first quarter and cruised to the win. Collin Axner lead the Knights offense with a game high 17 points, Lance Arguello added eight and Taylor Herrera seven. For the Saints, Trevor Baker scored all eight of the team’s points. With the win the Knights will meet the Titans in the division’s Consolation bracket championship game.
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