Murrieta Girls Shine in Desert Valley All-Star Game

Spectators at the Desert Valley All-Star game played Friday at Vista Murrieta High School were there to see a talented group of seniors play their last high school game. And what a game it was. 

Led by Vista Murrieta’s Serafina Maulupe’s 13 first-half points, the Away team started fast and led 37-32 at the half. The Virginia Tech-bound Bronco was the leading scorer in the game with 23 points.

The boys and girls all-star games featured the best of the best from high schools in the Inland Empire and desert areas.

Murrieta Mesa’s Shayd Bowers sparked the Home team, enabling a 15-6 run to start the second half. The girls took a 47-45 lead and never looked back. Murrieta Valley’s Karen Wolf found her rhythm and scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half.

Bowers and the home team held on in the final seconds as the away team failed to execute several three-point shots. The final score was 67-64.

But everyone was a winner and everyone was smiling.

Bowers scored 20 points and was named the home team MVP. She also won the free-throw contest prior to the game.

"This was awesome, it’s pretty indescribable," Bowers said. "It was such a cool experience to play with so many talented players."

Maulupe led all scorers in the event with 23 points.

"It was an honor to play in the All-Star game. There are so many great players in this game and to be able to compete is great," Maulupe said.

The game was bittersweet for her.

"It's a little sad to have played my last high school game ever. I'm just happy I was able to wear my jersey one more time and play on my home court one more time last night. I just have to thank my teammates for helping me get this far. I'm happy how I ended my senior year. I'm more excited because I just get to start a new chapter in my life now and get ready for college ball." 

The CIF SS Division 2A Murrieta Valley Nighthawks had three players in the game: Wolf, Aliah Marshall and Deshea Wilkes.

Marshall scored 12 points and Wilkes six.

"There’s so much competition out there," Marshall said. “When you think of yourself as being part of that and being chosen to do something like this, I think it’s a great opportunity."

Wolf agreed, and said the all-star game was an "amazing experience to be a part of."

"This was a lot of fun," Wolf said. "Winning the CIF title was a great way to end my senior year, but this was a very special. Getting to play on the same team with players who you have played against for your entire high school career is a very unique experience. You get play with girls that you know and some that you have only heard about but all encompass the great talent in this area."

It was also an emotional night.

"I thought by the end of this game that all of the emotions that came with our season would catch up with me, but oddly it hasn't and I don't think it ever will. This game was just the cherry on top to an amazing and groundbreaking season for our program and will be something I will remember and reminisce about the rest of my life," Wolf said.

In the boys game, Murrieta Mesa Coach Russell Ham went out a winner as he led the away team to a 115-101 victory. Ham recently announced he was stepping down as the head of the Ram boys basketball program.