Girls Basketball: Vista Murrieta Captures League Title

The Lady Broncos came out champions as regular season play ended Thursday night for girls varsity basketball teams from Murrieta's three public high schools.

Here are recaps of the games:

Vista Murrieta

Vista Murrieta ended league play with a 10-00 undefeated league record—22-5 overall—earning them the Southwestern League title for the first time since 2008.

The Broncos started fast and kept the pressure on Chaparral, leading 35-18 at the half. It was no better in the second half for the Pumas as Vista Murrieta cruised to a 66-43 win.

Brittney Reed led the way to victory. She finished the game with 21 points and a school record of 20 rebounds.

Serafina Maulupe hit a trio of three-pointers and ended the game with 15 points.

Leitasi Cravens continues to score in double figures for the Broncos with 11 points.

Yuendie Guridi scored seven for Vista Murrieta, while Alexis Marshall had six, Alexis Rivas four and McKenzie Kramer two.

Murrieta Valley

The Nighthawks jumped all over Temecula Valley early and never relented as they handed the Golden Bears their ninth and final league loss of 2013.

Led by seniors Deshea Wilkes and Karen Wolf, the Nighthawks took control quickly and ended the first half leading 25-11. Murrieta Valley proceeded to outscore Temecula 36-25 in the final two periods to wrap up an easy 61-36 victory.

Wilkes scored 15 points with two three-pointers and was three for six from the charity stripe. She also had seven rebounds, three assists, one block and six steals. Wolf led the team with 16 points and nine rebounds.

Brynn Dahmer also had nine rebounds to go with her six points and six blocked shots.

Aliah Marshall and Ariana Hernandez each had seven points, Janeth Castillo four and Julia Cardenas three for the Nighthawks.

The Nighthawks (21-5, 8-2) may have lost their Southwestern League crown to the Broncos but they are confident as they enter CIF Playoffs.

Murrieta Mesa

The Rams lost their last regular season game to Great Oak 49-38.

Senior captain Shayd Bowers paced Murrieta Mesa with her 16-point, six
steal effort against the Wolfpack. Mikayla Greens scored six points with five rebounds while Octavia Williams had five points and six rebounds.

Also for the Rams, Kiersta Tanner and Katie Smith each had four points while Maria Suarez dropped in three.

Although the Rams finished with a 13-13 overall and 1-9 league record, the program is improving and the young organization celebrated its first League win against Temecula Valley 69-31 on Feb. 1.

They have applied for an at-large berth in CIF Division 3AAA Playoffs.