PD Boy's Basketball Dumps Rival La Quinta

Palm Desert and La Quinta bring out the best in each other. 

It can also bring out the worst. 

The Aztecs boy's basketball team survived the first half and watched La Quinta self-destruct in the second half in a 72-56 Palm Desert road win. 

Palm Desert trailed by just two points at the break because of outstanding shooting from senior guard Parker Trapp and junior guard Jonathan Serven. The two combined for 17 of the Aztecs 24 first half points.  

During halftime, Aztec Had Coach Don Brady told his team they needed to step things up a bit. 

“I told them to play more physical,” the coach said after the game. “We played very physical against one of the best teams in the nation last night, but we came out not playing physical tonight. At the half I told them to do what they did last night.”  

And the Aztecs did come out more physical.  La Quinta came out playing physical as well, but in a different sense.  

The Blackhawks committed six fouls in the opening three minutes of the third quarter. La Quinta Head Coach Jeff Kepner was upset and berating the officials, earning himself a technical foul midway through the third period. The Aztecs made the best of the La Quinta fouls and the ensuing free throw parade, as part of a 25-4 Aztec run to put the game out of reach.

Following the game, Brady praised the defensive effort of his players noting, “(sophomore guard) Brian Serven had a great game defensively, as did a couple of our role players, (senior forward) Ryan Nolen and (senior guard) Matt Johnson. They were outstanding.”   

Jonathan Serven finished with a game high 29 points, with Trapp adding 21 for Palm Desert.  

The Aztecs (12-7, 5-1 DVL) end the first half of the Desert Valley League in second place, behind Palm Springs.  Palm Desert faces Indio on Friday at the Aztec Gym.