Boys Basketball: Murrieta Mesa’s Season Comes to an End

Murrieta Mesa’s magical season came to an end Friday night in Brea.

The Rams were coming off their first-ever CIF victory over a stunned Palm Springs High team and were looking to go further into the playoffs. It was not to be.

The normally fiery offense turned cold at the worst time for the Rams and they fell to the Wildcats from Brea Olinda 49-36.

“I was very impressed with our defensive effort. We picked a bad time to have the worst shooting of our season. We got shots we normally get, but they just weren’t falling,” said Mesa Coach Russell Ham.

Shane Staton carried the Murrieta offense with 23 points and six rebounds. Shondell Smith and Khalil Sharpe scored four each. Andrew Smith had two points while Trevon Session, Camry Smith and Austin Bryant had one each.

Although defeated, this is a Ram team that can hold their heads high. Although a young program, this team set several school records this year.

“I’m very proud of the guys. They tied for most wins in a season at 17. They had the most league wins in school history with six and they won the first CIF game in any sport in school history. They certainly left their legacy and put Ram basketball on the map,” Ham added.

“This senior class is a special one. Eight of the seniors were there from the beginning when we held our first practices at Thompson Middle School before Mesa was ever finished. I think they can walk away and be proud of what they built.”