Diamond Ranch holds on to beat Beaumont; DBHS loses to Valencia

For good, gritty girls basketball, you got it watching Diamond Ranch vs. Beaumont. In the end, the Lady Panthers defeated Beaumont by holding on to win, 53-46, in a CIF first-round game.

“It was an ugly second half, but I’m happy that we pulled out the victory,” Diamond Ranch head coach Mike James said.

The Cougars trailed by nine at the half, but put together a frenetic second half to make the game a nail-biter.

Despite Beaumont’s courageous second-half effort, Diamond Ranch’s junior forward Chelsea Barnes carried the team on her back in the fourth quarter by connecting on 6-of-8 from the free throw line, finishing the game with a team leading 21 points.

“Chelsea was so great in the fourth quarter,” said Panthers head coach Mike James. “She was such a force down low and couldn’t be stopped on the free throw line,” coach James said.

Diamond Ranch outsized Beaumont by dominating rebounds and holding Beaumont scoreless for the first four minutes of the first quarter.

Beaumont junior forward Tricia Cervantes put the lady Cougars on the board with a jump shot, ending Diamond Ranch’s 8-0 run. Shortly after, Beaumont scored four quick points, ending the quarter trailing Diamond Ranch 6-18. Junior Erika Williams and Chelsea Barnes scored a combined 14 of the lady Panthers 18 first quarter points.

Diamond Ranch scored only eight in the second quarter and missed several opportunities to extend their lead by falling short at the free throw line. Beaumont took full advantage and piled on eleven points, climbing back within nine points at halftime, 26-17.

The second half belonged to the lady Coyotes, going on to score 17 crucial points, bringing the game within four points on six different occasions. Beaumont junior guard Ria Reyes contributed with ten points by fearlessly attacking the basket and drawing fouls.

Reyes suffered from a knee injury on a fast break at the four minute mark in the fourth quarter, but quickly returned to the court to give her team inspiration by scoring four of her team’s final seven points.

Beaumont’s head coach Mike Rainville praised Reyes’ tenacity on the court and his team’s second half run.

“Even after Ria’s knee injury she came back and continued to go to the hoop,” said coach Rainville. “Although we lost tonight, our girls never gave up and put a great fight.”

Diamond Bar at Valencia

Diamond Bar girl’s basketball season came to a disappointing end at the hands of Valencia on the road. Trailing 5-29 at halftime, Valencia was too much for the lady Brahmas, losing 28-45.

Diamond Bar finished fifth in Hacienda League at 3-9-0 and with an overall 12-15-0 season record.