Tigers continue ‘Classic’ action
IMPERIAL — The fourth day of Tiger Classic boys’ basketball action tipped off Friday afternoon here with host Imperial High boys’ taking on Valley Center in the first of a series of games played here.
Also taking to the court Friday afternoon was Brawley Union High, who hosted Yuma as part of tourney play.
The Wildcats came away with a 73-48 win over the Criminals led by Jonathan Zarate’s 29 points, Daniel Gonzalez’s 22 points and Austin Brewer’s 14 points.
The host Tigers were not as lucky, however, as a rough fourth quarter caused them to drop their first game of the tourney to the Jaguars, 75-53.
Imperial scored just 10 points in the fourth to Valley Center’s 23-point performance.
A handful of the Tiger starters got into foul trouble early in the game, which limited the team’s defense in the final quarter of the game.
Imperial played a tough first two periods of the game and went into the half down just 33-31.
At the start of the third, Imperial saw a series of efforts from Patrick Bush and Haider Awan give the Tigers a 39-35 advantage, before Valley Center rallied back with about 2:41 left in the third quarter.
Once the visiting Jaguars took the lead, they never looked back and opened the fourth quarter with a 52-43 advantage.
The Wildcats and the Jaguars continue tourney action today, while Imperial wrapped up pool play late Friday night.