The Lucerne Valley boys basketball team won their final game of the season, pulling away from Bethel Christian in the final quarter, 55-40, Thursday night at home.
The spirited victory put the Mustang’s overall season record at 5-19. Last season the Lucerne Valley boys basketball team went 1-21 with the sole win coming in a narrow two-point victory over Baker, 40-38. This season’s won-loss record indicates a 400 percent improvement.
The Mustangs came out fast, getting a 14-6 lead after the first quarter. But the Bethany Christian Eagles turned the tables in the second half, scoring 14 to Lucerne Valley’s 8. Leading 22-20 at the half, the Mustangs poured it on the second half. In the final quarter the Mustangs scored 25 emphatic points.
The 2017-17 team consisted of Juan Cuevas (1), Luke Vanderhayden (2), Tommy Orozco (3), Terijon Wilkerson (4), Jamar Jones Jr. (5), Donovan Moncrief (10), Skyler Simonek (11), Elijah Lien (12), Ryan Simonek (14), Kevin Alvarez (15), and Omar Soto (20).
For the season, Donovan Moncrief averaged 15.7 points and 12.7 rebounds.
Of the team’s 11 players, only three are seniors. With the majority of the team coming back next year, the Mustangs are likely to build on this season’s huge improvement.