Paloma Valley Falls to Valley View in the Winter Shootout

Cameron Whatley scores on a layup in the second quarter

In day two of the Paloma Valley High School Winter Shootout, the Wildcats battled hard against the Eagles of Valley View High School, but fell short, 62-49.

Valley View (7-3) started the game with high intensity on defense. They ran a full court press defense, that forced several turnovers early on in the game. The intensity bled into their offensive game, as the Eagles started the game with a 12-2 run in the first four minutes.

Despite the scoring run, the Wildcats (4-9) played solid defense. In the first half alone, their defense forced 5 Eagle's turnovers on traveling and 3 more in the second half.

"We're getting better defensively everyday," Coach Michael Pfeiffer said of the Wildcats' defense. "Against a very athletic team in Valley View, we played a better defense today, which caused their turnovers. It's just a matter of capitalizing on them."

In the first half, Valley View's shooters sunk 6 three pointers, that helped put them up at halftime, 33-23. Even when their shots were off the mark, the Eagles were able to grab several key offensive rebounds and still were able to put points on the board.

"They just shot lights out the first half," Coach Pfeiffer said of Valley View's first half shooting. "When a team shoots that well, it's hard to be in there with them. Our guys hung tough and we kept it within 10."

Keeping Paloma Valley in the game, Cameron Whatley (pictured left) scored 13 points in the first half. Not only was he the key to keeping Paloma Valley in the game, but in the third quarter, he was their sparkplug that helped the Wildcats cut the lead in half.

Whatley scored 8 points, had two blocked shots, and forced a turnover, in the third quarter alone, leading the Wildcats to cut the Eagles' lead after three quarters of play, 49-44.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the fourth quarter turned into a game of possession time, much like a football game. Valley View ran the clock down, often not shooting the ball until there was less than 10 seconds left on the shot clock. A complete 180, compared to their intense play in the first half.

The Wildcats were able to hold the Eagles' offense to only 13 points in the fourth quarter, but their offense was shut down as well. Paloma Valley was held to only scoring 5 points in the final quarter.

Leading the Wildcats, Whatley scored 22 points and senior Izaiah Cameron scored 9. The Eagles were led by senior Devin Fleming who scored 30 points and junior Gabe Hicks who added 15 more.

Day three of the Winter Shootout continues on Monday, Dec. 29. Paloma Valley will matchup against San Jacinto High School (8-5), in the 3 p.m. time slot.

Austin Hanks scores in the paint

Coach Michael Pfeiffer goes over a play during a timeout

 

Chandler Sanders shoots over a Valley View defender