Live Action: Highland @ Valley – 12/5/23

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Score: Highland 70 Valley 57</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Game: [player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon'], Highland - 21 pts, 7 Rebs, 1 Ast</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Points: [player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon'], Highland - 21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Rebounds: [player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon'], Highland - 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Assists: [player_tooltip player_id='1295236' first='Raul' last='Stanford'], Highland - 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Steals: [player_tooltip player_id='1295236' first='Raul' last='Stanford'], Highland &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1540114' first='Carter' last='Monroe'], Valley - 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Blocks: [player_tooltip player_id='1897921' first='Rosendo' last='Roybal'], Valley - 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though the score wasn't a blow-out, Highland kept complete control of this game from the tip-off. It seemed like the Hornets couldn't miss in the first half, taking a large lead at halftime. The Vikings stayed with them, however, though they couldn't get over the hump, and the Hornets pulled away in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon'] </strong>was lights-out, putting up 13 points in the first quarter and knocking down shot after shot. He also contributed on the glass, putting up a game-high 7 rebounds. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2143685' first='Sebastian' last='Hernandez']</strong> also contributed 12 points and 6 rebounds and was a monster on the defensive end, keeping constant pressure on opposing ballhandlers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295236' first='Raul' last='Stanford'] </strong>was an offensive machine in more than one way. Along with his 13 points, he dished out 7 assists, creating for his teammates and getting open shots. His game-high 3 steals also led to fast breaks which jumpstarted the Hornets' offense in the first half. <strong>Esai Herrera </strong>provided a balanced stat line as well, dishing out 3 assists and 3 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley wasn't short of scorers, with both <strong>Diego Miscles-Rivera</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680001' first='Julian' last='Chavez']</strong> putting up 13 points, and Chavez also putting up 4 rebounds and 2 assists. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1685508' first='Charles' last='Lopez-Burton']</strong> was able to assert himself in the paint as a physical presence, able to contest shots in the paint and grab boards on both ends. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1897921' first='Rosendo' last='Roybal']</strong> was able to assert himself as well, leading the game in blocks and putting up 3 rebounds and 2 assists, flying up and down the court to create hustle plays for his team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1540114' first='Carter' last='Monroe']</strong> led the game with 3 steals and was able to get tipped passes to start fast breaks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->