Sports Editor
With third place in the High Desert League locked up, Kern Valley wanted to finish on a winning note heading into the Division 4A CIF playoffs.
They would end the season with a win, but drop the game before to Rosamond.
 Jake Hodge, No. 52 of the Broncs lays up a shot over his Frazier Mountain opponent on Senior Night. Kern Valley took care of business as they won 51-47 over the Falcons. |
The Minutemen are 17-10 overall and 7-3 in the Alpha League where they finished in third place. That was good enough for the No. 10 seed in the CIF playoffs.
Playing against Rosamond on the road, the Broncs were looking for the upset, but had to settle for the 55-46 loss in a hard fought, usual style battle with the Roadrunners.
The score at halftime favored Rosamond 27-26. The push from the Roadrunners came in the third where they opened a nine-point margin and held on for the victory.
Kenny Haigler topped the scoring chart for the Broncs with 14 points.
Anthony Hernandez added 13 points, including two from behind the three-point arc. Warren Pappas had nine points, while Dusty Heffner scored six points, including dropping one in from downtown range.
Jordan Lawson and Doug Peaslee rounded out the scoring with two points apiece.
Pappas dominated the boards for the Broncs as he grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.
Haigler pulled down seven boards, while Hernandez and Cory Stanfield each had four rebounds.
Peaslee and Heffner had three each, while Lawson finished with one rebound.
Heffner handed out six assists, while Hernandez and Haigler each were credited with a blocked shot.
Head coach Brian Christianson said, “This was a typical Kern Valley v. Rosamond battle. We competed well.”
Hernandez commenting on the game said, “We played well on the road against the first place team. We just couldn’t pull out the victory.”
The last game of the regular season came against Frazier Mountain on the home court. It was also Senior Night for the Broncs.
After the ceremonies, the teams took the court and see-sawed the whole game. Neither team could pull away, but Kern Valley came out on top 51-47.
At halftime the game was knotted at 25-25. By the end of the third it was 35-32 for the Broncs.
Pappas had the hot hand as he dropped in 16 points to lead the Broncs offense.
Hernandez finished with 11 points, including two from behind the arc.
Jake Hodge scored eight points, while Heffner had six points, including a three-pointer. Haigler added five points, while Peaslee hit a three for his only points. Stanfield closed out the scoring with two points.
On the boards, Pappas completed his double-double with 12 rebounds. Hodge also pulled down 12 boards. Haigler had eight rebounds, while Hernandez and Peaslee each had three boards.
Heffner dished out six assists, while hernandez handed out three assists.
Christianson said, “The team came out and played hard on Senior Night. I am very proud of the effort the team put forth.”
Carolyn Fandino added, “Our team performed victoriously over Frazier Mountain. The cheerleaders and fans exuberantly supported the varsity boys.”
Stanfield said, “Though our shots weren’t falling, we continued to play hard and that’s what got us the win.”
Peaslee said, “Our Blue Zone crowd is the best.”
With the regular season in the books, the Broncs 11-14 overall, 6-4 HDL will turn their attention to trying to make a deep run in the Division 4A CIF Playoffs. This will start with tonights game.
The winner of this game will then play the winner of the La Salle Lancers (Camino Real league champion)/Blair Vikings (at-large Rio Hondo league) match up.
Prices for tonight’s Round 1 CIF Playoff game at 7pm are mandated by CIF. Students with a current high school ID and children 13 and under can get in for only $5.00. General adult admission is $8.00.
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