Paloma boys basketball team wins sixth straight, 69-44

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Paloma Valley boys basketball team won its game against Santa Rosa Academy Monday night, 69-44.

The victory is the sixth in an undefeated streak for the Wildcats and their second win over the Rangers in the last three days. The two teams met last Saturday for the championship game in the Southern California Classic tournament.

With last Saturday’s game ending in a much closer score than Monday’s game, Paloma head coach Darius Randolph said he had a lot for his team to work on in order to make this outcome different.

“We lacked defense on Saturday and let them shoot from the three too often,” he said. “What I told them before the game was to respect anybody they step on the floor to play. Regardless of how we think we might win, we play defense and stick to our principles.”

After just a five-point lead at the half, Randolph said he needed to remind the team of his expectations.

“I had to show them that was not ‘us’ and we needed to get back to ‘us’ and how we play,” he said, referencing a timeout he took part way through the third quarter to give his team that reminder.

Paloma’s leading scorer on the night, Tyree Cardwell, said that his coach’s reminder helped him up his own intensity in the game.

“I get coach, because we were not really up by a lot and even if we were, we should still be playing hard,” Cardwell said. “When coach brings that intensity, it triggers me to play even harder and not disappoint him.”

He and his teammates ended up with a 25-point victory and coach was not disappointed.

“Tonight we ran them off of the three-point line and that’s what I wanted after Saturday,” he said. “Defensively is where we turned it up a bit. I want everybody to know Paloma is here, we’re playing defense, and we’re coming for you, so be ready.”

Cardwell ended the night with 14 points for the Wildcats, as the leading scorer who Randolph said is poised in that role.

“He is stepping into his role as our scorer,” he said. “He really loves to shoot from behind that arc, but I’ve been having him drive and score more and it’s nice to see him warming up to that role.”

Cardwell said although it’s not as fancy as the three-point shots he loves, he trusts his coach to help him play his best for his team.

Just behind Cardwell, both Ameer Sharif and Richard Silva tallied 8 points on the night.

Santa Rosa’s Chris Jones led overall on the night with 19 points of his own, nine of which came from the three.

The Rangers now have a 4-6 overall record, going into league play Tuesday night with a game at San Jacinto Valley Academy at 6:30 p.m.

The Wildcats, now 7-1, will continue non-league play Thursday at home against Beaumont at 6:15 p.m.