Paloma Valley Runs Over Heritage, Wins 79-52

Paloma Valley's Manny Sandoval pushes the ball up the court

In their first matchup of the basketball season, Paloma Valley High School's boys basketball team played a fast-paced game and defeated crosstown rival Heritage High School 79-52. While there may not be a Menifee Bowl Trophy for the winner of this game like football has, the players came into the game with a high intensity.

"It's a rivalry game no doubt about it," said Paloma Valley's Coach Michael Pfeiffer when asked if there was more pressure on his players because of their opponent. "It's a big deal for Menifee and it's a big deal for our kids too, but what we try to do is make every game important and focus on us. So if we play the way we're capable of playing, we like our chances whether it's Heritage, Perris, or anybody."

Heritage (4-15, 0-4) came out with a mixture of full court press and half court trap defenses, trying to force the Wildcats to make mistakes. Paloma Valley (8-12, 2-2) took the challenge in stride and got past the challenge by making quick passes and running the ball up and down the court. The fast pace led to Paloma Valley scoring their season high 79 points in a game.

"We did a good job handling their pressure and that gave us opportunities and gave us numbers," Coach Pfeiffer said. "You have to take advantage of that when you have them."

Within the first four minutes of the game, the Patriots had fouled the Wildcats so many times, that the Wildcats were already in the bonus. In the first quarter alone, Paloma Valley was 12 for 15 from the free throw line. The Patriots fouled Paloma Valley a total of 18 times in the first half.

Led by Cameron Whatley's (pictured left) 18 points in the first half, the Wildcats went into halftime up 49-25. By this point in the game, the energetic home crowd of Heritage High School, that had started the game boisterous, had become fairly quiet.

By the third quarter, the Patriots kept the Wildcats scoring down, almost matching the Wildcats shot for shot. The Patriots even outscored the Wildcats in the fourth quarter, but the first half was just too much for Heritage to overcome.

"Heritage is never going to quit," Coach Pfeiffer said of his Heritage High School after the game. "They have a great program, they have great kids, and a great coach. You have to play a full 32 minutes."

Top scorers for the Patriots included Walter Meinzer, who scored 18 points, and Jonathan Gordon's 10 points. Paloma Valley's scoring leaders included Cameron Whatley, who scored 22 points, and Blake Bouman and Izaiah Cameron, who scored 12 points each.

Paloma Valley will next face Temescal Canyon High School (11-8, 2-1) at home on Jan. 22. Heritage will travel to Lake Elsinore and face Lakeside High School (10-10, 1-3) on Jan. 22.

#15 Jonathan Gordon blocks #20 Izaiah Cameron's layup attempt

#11 Walter Meinzer drives the ball in on Paloma Valley's Cameron Whatley

#20 Izaiah Cameron dribbles the ball past #5 Andrew Johnson for an open layup

#12 Scottie Strong dribbles the ball down court while #2 Lejon Pettigrew gets ready to defend