Tigers clinch tie for WYL

VISALIA - Thirteen an unlucky number? You couldn't convince Lemoore High School's boys basketball team of that on Friday the 13th. Donald Daugherty and Cheyanne Alcala had 13 points each as the Tigers defeated El Diamante 77-59 in a West Yosemite League game.

The win clinched a share of the WYL title for the Tigers, who have now won a school record of 26 (or, 2 times 13) games on the season against four losses. In WYL action, Lemoore is 10-0.

"I'm proud of the kids, but we still have some work to do," said Tigers coach T.J. Wilkins.

Lemoore can clinch the WYL title next Tuesday when it plays Golden West (Visalia) on Senior Night at the Lemoore Events Center. The Tigers close the regular season Thursday at Hanford.

Alcala scored all 13 of his points in the first half as the Tigers took a 42-22 lead.

Cleayvon Horn added 12 points and Jaelin Avery 11 for Lemoore.

Harper White led El Diamante with 12 points.

Hanford West 64,

Mt. Whitney 47

VISALIA - Four Huskies broke into double figures as Hanford West snapped its five-game losing streak with the West Yosemite League win.

Hanford West is now 15-11 on the season and 4-7 in WYL play.

"We had a good team effort and very balanced scoring," said coach Tim Caudillo. "We were able to get the ball to our big kids inside."

Hanford West led 28-23 at halftime and outscored the Pioneers 20-8 in the third period, getting key 3-point hoops from Dean Burkett and Rayshon Espirito.

Ethen Carel led the Huskies with 12 points, followed by 11 from Warren Moon and 10 each from Rodney Webster and Sean Borboa. On the night, Hanford West was 21-of-37 from the field.

Randall Robinson led Mt. Whitney (6-18, 0-11) with 25 points.

Hanford West closes the regular season Wednesday against El Diamante.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Lemoore 42, El Diamante 38

LEMOORE - The Tigers trailed 24-16 at the half before Jessica Opinion pushed Lemoore to its third straight victory.

Opinion had 12 of her game-high 17 points come in the third quarter, including two 3-pointers during the 17-6 quarter that put the Tigers up for good.

Shelb Crippen added 7 points and 8 rebounds for the Tigers.

Lemoore improves to 14-12, 5-5 in the WYL.

"I think the girls are starting to figure it out that we need to play well to make the playoffs," said Lemoore head coach Devree Clark.

The Tigers will travel to Golden West Tuesday before finishing the regular season by hosting Hanford on Wednesday.

(Feb. 14, 1009)