Nighthawk Boys Win Big in Fullerton

Following third-seed Murrieta Valley’s surprisingly easy 65-37 win in their CIF-Southern Section second-round playoff game, Nighthawk head coach Steve Tarabilda was relishing the moment.

“If you would have told me that it [the final scoring margin] was going to be that big yesterday, I would have relaxed on the drive here,” he said.

“But, you know, you don’t know until it happens—and it’s fun!”

Troy High School of Fullerton entered the Division 2A boys basketball playoffs seeded fourteenth as the second-place team out of the Freeway League behind Sunny Hills. They won their first-round game last Friday with a 47-28 home game over Oak Hills.

The Warriors finish the season with a 22-6 record.

Most of the Nighthawks were able to get playing time in this away game Tuesday night.

Murrieta Valley is riding an eight-game winning streak following their 60-47 loss at Vista Murrieta, Jan. 19.  The Broncos were victorious in a nail-biter at Chino Hills Tuesday night with a 69-68 second-round playoff win.

At the end of the first quarter, Murrieta Valley wasn’t yet comfortable but did own a 16-9 advantage on the Warriors.

At the half, there was a 10-point spread, 34-24. That would grow to seventeen after three, 50-33.

Senior Reid Schackelford would lead all scorers with 18 points including four treys. Top scorer for the Warriors was Taylor Maughn with 14—their only scorer in double figures.

“It’s a great day to be great!” said a smiling Darius Butler, following his 16-point contribution for the visiting Nighthawks. “We scouted them out pretty well. We knew what they were going to do and when they were going to do it so we were prepared.”

“We’re peaking right now,” gestured Jackson Helms, pointing upward.  “We’re getting better every day," he said.

"It’s been great. Everything’s gellin’—everything’s coming together right at the right time.”

Helms would contribute 14 points in the win. Other Nighthawk scorers were Kevin Padlo with six points on six of six from the free throw line, David Riddle with five points, Scott Tarabilda with four points, and Mitch Lenhart with two points.

Coach Tarabilda was able to get his reserves some playing-time experience and celebrate the moment and their 25-2 overall record.

Next up for Murrieta Valley is a quarterfinal game at home against Righetti this Friday night. The Southern Section is quite large and Righetti will have the disadvantage of a long 240-mile drive from Santa Maria with plenty of time to think about their opponent.

On the girls side, Murrieta Valley hosts Indio tonight at 7 p.m., also a second-round playoff game. Coincidentally, should the Lady Nighthawks win, their next opponent could very well be Righetti. The Lady Warriors from Santa Maria play tonight at North Torrance with the winner facing either Murrieta Valley or Indio.