Girls Basketball: Nighthawk Classic Gets Underway with Murrieta Valley Win

The 2012 Nighthawk Classic Girls Basketball Tournament is underway.

Teams from Redlands East Valley, West Valley, Elsinore, San Jacinto, Beaumont, Temescal Canyon and Vista Del Lago are in town to win the tournament and take the championship trophy home with them this weekend.

Murrieta Valley Coach Scott Richards plans to keep the crown and trophy right here in Murrieta. His Nighthawks got off to a fast start Wednesday against Beaumont, coasting to 64-21 victory over the Cougars in the tournament's opening round.

Murrieta Valley’s defense shut down the Cougars, allowing only 10 points in the first half and 11 in the second. The win improves their season record to 8-3.

Senior Aliah Marshall led the Nighthawk attack with 15 points, three rebounds and five steals. Karen Wolf and Alex Morrison each scored 11 points, while Brynn Dahmer had eight, Deshea Wilkes seven and Breanna Williams four.

Rounding out the rest of offense for the Nighthawks was Julia Cardenas and AJ Williams-Johnson with three points apiece and Ariana Hernandez with two.

The Nighthawks next face the Temescal Canyon Titans at 7 p.m. Thursday in round two of this four-game tournament. Games are being played every day this week at 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 pm.

Come on out to Murrieta Valley High School and support your Nighthawks and catch some great girls basketball action.