Balanced Scoring Powers Desert Pines Past Mojave

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Desert Pines and Mojave squared off last night in a competitive 5A matchup that featured some of the top players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars came out firing and hit shots from the perimeter all game long, pouring in 12 three-pointers in total to make it difficult for the Rattlers to keep pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rattlers made it interesting in the fourth quarter though. As [player_tooltip player_id='1668933' first='Phil' last='Gordon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1571006' first='Devin' last='Thomas'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1794836' first='Jayden' last='Luna'] helped spark a late run. However, it wasn't enough to close the gap, and Desert Pines responded with buckets of their own to put the game away.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Final Score - Desert Pines 81 vs Mojave 70</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2111894"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cb7d088106"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2111894' first='Tyler' last='Merto'] had a very efficient night on offense against Mojave. He hit a pair of threes, threw down a monster dunk off an inbounds pass, and consistently scored on second-chance opportunities. Snagging three offensive rebounds in total. Merto caused problems for the Rattlers on the defensive end as well, applying strong ball pressure and using his length to be disruptive. On top of that, he also pulled down some quality rebounds, capping off a very complete performance.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 20 Points, 10 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2374347"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cb7d0881a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aaron McMorran torched the Rattlers early, splashing in three of his five three-point attempts in the first quarter to help the Jaguars build an early lead. He added a few more points before halftime, including a pair of free throws with 0.1 seconds left after drawing a foul on a three-point attempt. In the second half, McMorran took advantage of a few clean looks and knocked down two more 3-pointers, giving him five on the night.<br><br>Stats - 19 Points, 3 Assists, 1 Block </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2812155"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cb7d088218"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2812155' first='Mason' last='Robles'] was an X-Factor for Desert Pines yesterday. On offense, he did damage from 3 point land, draining three triples while also adding a few other buckets. Robles was active on the defensive end as well, notably drawing a charge and blocking a shot. Overall, he consistently made timely plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats - 13 Points, 6 Rebounds <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1707443"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cb7d08828a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1707443' first='Chase' last='Robertson'] was another Jaguar to reach double figures in scoring. His first make of the night was a three, and he followed that by putting together a few strong takes to the basket. And dished out a handful of assists as well. On the defensive end, he used his instincts, length, and physicality to force turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats - 15 Points, 5 Assists <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1668933"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cb7d088391"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1668933' first='Phil' last='Gordon'] was aggressive on offense throughout the game, with nearly all of his buckets coming off drives and finishes in the paint. He was also patient at times, which allowed him to get to the free-throw line, and by the end of the night, he had racked up 21 points. In addition to his scoring, Gordon rebounded well and competed on the defensive end.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1794836"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cb7d0882f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1794836' first='Jayden' last='Luna'] got downhill frequently yesterday for the Rattlers. He has a quicker first and second step than opponents anticipate, which usually gives him enough separation to get to the rim. Like Gordon, Luna feasted at the charity stripe, converting on seven of his attempts. On the other end, he played physical defense and made opponents work to gain ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats - 13 Points<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1571006"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697cb7d0883fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1571006' first='Devin' last='Thomas'] was a steady force on offense for Mojave last night. He opened the game with a three-pointer before scoring more inside as the night went on. I liked how he found ways to get open, and his teammates did a good job of finding him as well. Defensively, he contested and altered shots around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stats - 15 Points <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->