LA PUENTE – The Baldwin Park boys’ basketball team is winless no more in league as it picked up its first Valle Vista League victory Monday night as it edged the host Nogales Nobles 62-58. The win ended an 11- game losing streak dating back to its non-league victory over Ribet Academy late in December.
Juan Garcia led the way for the Braves with 27 points, and three rebounds, while William Trinidad added 24 points, three rebounds and two assists, including the final five points down the stretch to seal the victory. Jayson Miller pitched in defensively, grabbing eight rebounds along with his six points.
“I’m very proud of the boys,” Braves head coach Israel Anguiano said. “They have been under a lot of pressure to shake this monkey (winning a league game) off their back.”
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Unlike previous games where Baldwin Park had a significant lead in the first half and then faltered in the second half, Monday’s contest was just the opposite. Nogales had the lead for the first half of the game, but it was the Braves behind Garcia and Trinidad’s combined ten points in the final two minutes of the game to lift Baldwin Park past Nogales.
“This is going to happen (to falter at the end of games) especially if you have a young team,” Anguiano said. “Tonight everybody stepped up and chipped in. I don’t really know what to say, but I’m very proud of them.”
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Sean Jones led the way for Nogales with 16 points and four rebounds. Justin Roque added 14 while Ethan Anonas and Andrew Bullock pitched in 11 each for Nogales who fell to (13-11, 4-7).
Anguiano said that the good thing is that because most of his team is young, they will return next year.
Baldwin Park (4-21, 1-9) has its hands full as it hosts the lead leaders Wilson Wildcats Friday evening. Tipoff is at 6:30 pm.
BOX SCORES
BALDWIN PARK (62) – Juan Garcia (27), William Trinidad (24), Jayson Miller (6), Chris Giron (2) Bernard Granado (2), Daniel Soto 1.
NOGALES (58) – Sean Jones (16), Justin Roque (14), Ethan Anonas (11), Andrew Bullock (11), Matthew Areallno (2), Joel Rafols (2)