By Ray Conner
The seventh grade Mustangs of South Fork make a notch their recent championship belt.
The South Fork squad invaded Mira Monte High School as the No.1 seed in the tournament. They would have to wait before taking the court as they received a first-round bye. Up first for the Mustangs was El Tejon. The started their championship run with a decisive 39-12 victory to advance to the semi-finals.
A Wallace Colts player lifts a layup in the recent game versus South Fork.
Submitted photo
Six South Fork players were able to contribute to the scoring in the dominating win. The Mustangs were led by Eli Dorado who poured in 18 points. He was followed by Talon Montes who dropped in eight points. Ramon Avila added six points, while Wyatt Wilkins finished with four points. Xander Anzaldo contributed two points to the South Fork scoring. Wrapping up the Mustangs scoring was Andrew Young who popped in a lone free throw for his one point in the game.
Moving on, the South Fork team would face their toughest test as they went up against Beardsley. The two teams battled hard the whole way through. In the end, the Mustangs proved the better team as they collected the 33-26 win to push themselves into the finals. Four South Fork players totaled the scoring. Dorado once again led the team with 15 points. Anzaldo dropped in 12 points, while Aiden Peters added four points. Filling out the scoring sheet was Montes with two points.
This victory pushed the Mustangs into the championship game. Standing in their way from staking their claim to the title was Jacobsen. It was another see-saw battle that in the end South Fork wanted it more. The final score of 47-33 paved the way for the Mustangs to grab the championship trophy. With that in hand, it closed out an undefeated season for the Suth Fork squad with an 18-0 mark.
Three South Fork players finished the title game in double figures. Leading the way once again was Dorado who had a team-high 18 points. Anzaldo followed by pouring in 13 points. Montes added 12 points to make it three with double figures. Young and Peters each scored two points to close out the scoring for the Mustangs.
In other Middle School Basketball news, the battle of the valley went the way of Wallace as they took three of the four games played. The lone South Fork team to pick up a victory was seventh grade boys’ squad who pounded their valley rivals 55-18.
South Fork scoring: R. Avila 14 (2-three-pointers), Dorado 13 (three-pointer), Anzaldo 11, Wilkins 8, A. Avila 6 (2-three-pointers), Montes 6. Wallace scoring: Josiah 8, Chasen 7, Xander 3.
Eighth grade boys: Wallace 24-South Fork 20
Wallace scoring: Dom 9, Kota 7, Noel 3, Connor 3, Eli 2. South Fork scoring: Jacob Macier 10, Dorado 6, R. Avila 3, Monk Imbelloni 1.
Seventh grade girls: Wallace 18-South Fork 10
Wallace scoring: Emmy 6, Lilly 4, Chloe 2. Skylar 2, Molly 2, Trinity 2. South Fork scoring: Kennison 4, Kraxberger 4, Evertse 2.
Eighth grade girls: Wallace 27-South Fork 10
Wallace stats: Brenna Elliott 9 and 3 rebounds, Teagan Liske 4 and 7 rebounds, Baylee Henry 4 and 2 rebounds, Bailey Walker 4, Addison Ross 2 and one rebound, Kiera Kiosef 2. Maddison Hunt 1 rebound, Bridget Smith 1 rebound, Annabelle Maxwell 1 rebound. South Fork scoring: Sophia Charlton 8, Aireana Kennison 2.
