Boys Basketball: Nighthawks Rise to Occasion, Knock Rams Out of First

The Murrieta Valley varsity boys basketball team came into the Murrieta Mesa Impact Center on Wednesday night on a mission to stay in the race for a piece of first place in the Southwestern League.

Murrieta Valley needed this victory to keep pace with league-leading Great Oak, which cruised to a 77-36 victory over the Broncos. The Rams needed this game to stay in first place in the tough league comprised of Murrieta and Temecula high schools. There are three games left for each team in the season and each game can be decisive.

Murrieta Valley and the Rams both started strong. The first period was even and ended 17-15. Murrieta Mesa then outscored the Nighthawks by nine in the second and took a commanding 33-26 lead as the first half ended.

Momentum shifted to Murrieta Valley in the second half as the Nighthawks got back into the game in the third, outscoring the Rams, 18-14. Murrieta Mesa clung to a three-point lead as the period ended with the Rams ahead, 47-44.

In the decisive final quarter, the Nighthawks put the game out of reach for the Rams. The Nighthawk defense toughened and held Murrieta Mesa to just six points in the final frame. Murrieta Valley scored 14 points to come from behind for a dramatic 58-53 clutch victory.

"We executed our game plan extremely well. We just didn't make the shots needed at the end of the game," said Rams' Coach Russell Ham. "I felt bad for our fans. We have the best fan base in the valley. Their energy created a great high school basketball atmosphere."

Trevon Session had a career high 23 points and led the Rams with his defensive energy, Ham said.

Shane Staton scored 11, Khalil Sharpe eight and Shondell Smith four. Austin Bryant had three points and led the Rams in rebounds with eight boards.

Andrew Smith and Camry Smith each scored two points.

The Nighthawks were paced by Kevin Padlo’s 24 points and nine rebounds.    Mitch Lenhart scored 14 and Thomas Alexandre 11. Tyler Bilton led Murrieta Valley with eight rebounds while dropping in five points.

Talon Watkins added four points for the Nighthawks. 

The game dropped the Rams into a three-way tie for second place with the Nighthawks and Temecula Valley—all with identical 4-3 records in league play.

Great Oak is now on top of the pack with a 5-2 league record.

Murrieta Valley plays the Broncos at Vista Murrieta Friday night. The Rams host Temecula Valley while Chaparral will be at Great Oak.

All Southwestern Boys Basketball games are being played as Coaches vs.
Cancer games. Proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

All game start at 7 p.m. Come out and support your favorite high school, catch some exciting basketball and contribute to a worthy cause.