On Jan. 17, the Central Junior High League Basketball Championships brought together some of the area’s best young athletes, and the games delivered everything fans could hope for — intensity, teamwork, resilience, and a whole lot of heart. High Desert Middle School, Miami Middle School, and San Carlos Middle School were all well represented, with student-athletes stepping up in big moments and showing why these programs continue to grow stronger every year.
The seventh grade girls championship between High Desert Middle School and Miami Middle School was a back-and-forth contest from start to finish. High Desert scored first, but Miami quickly answered and took an early 6-4 lead. The teams traded baskets through the opening quarter, with Miami holding a slim 8-6 advantage.
Defense took center stage in the second quarter as both teams played scrappy, fearless basketball. Players dove for loose balls, fought for rebounds, and made every possession count. High Desert carried a 13-10 lead into halftime after strong play on both ends.
The intensity continued after the break. Miami’s Sequoia finished a fast break with a smooth layup, only to see High Desert’s Fall answer right back. Miami had a chance to score two with a buzzer-beating layup at the end of the third quarter, but the shot bounced out, leaving High Desert ahead 18-14.
In the final minutes, both teams battled until the very end, with High Desert pulling out a 23-18 win. Edwards, Segura, and Harris contributed key points, while Fall led the Lady Tigers with eight. For Miami, Sequoia paced the scoring with nine points, supported by Elyce, Aleigha, and Arilynn. The game was a perfect example of competitive basketball played the right way.
The seventh grade boys championship featured High Desert Middle School and Cibeque, and it was an exciting, fast-paced contest filled with momentum swings. Lucas Spurgeon set the tone early by draining a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Tigers an 11-9 lead after one quarter.
Christopher Ortega and Carter DalMolin followed with three-pointers of their own as both teams pushed the ball in transition, making for an entertaining first half. High Desert led 21-16 at halftime, but Cibeque came out energized in the third quarter, using sharp passing and strong interior play to tie the game.
Foul trouble limited Ortega midway through the third, and Cibeque took advantage. Still, Spurgeon delivered again with another buzzer-beater, this time a layup just before the end of the quarter. Despite the Tigers’ effort, Cibeque’s consistent drives proved decisive in a 37-34 finish.
Ortega led High Desert with 13 points, Spurgeon added 11, and strong contributions from DalMolin and Liam Baylish Wesley rounded out a gritty team performance.
The eighth grade girls championship between High Desert and San Carlos was everything a title game should be. Early foul trouble tested High Desert, while San Carlos struggled to finish close shots. San Carlos led 8-6 after one and 14-9 at halftime.
High Desert came out of the locker room on fire, tying the game at 14 and matching every San Carlos run with one of their own. Strong defense and timely baskets tied the game at 20 after three quarters, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
Teliyah Beyale scored back-to-back layups, including an and-one, while Celestina Campos hit a huge three and followed it with a defensive block. San Carlos answered behind Kylyn Kenton and Elleana Patterson, pulling within one late. Beulah Nosie tied the game at the free-throw line, but Alaiah Wesley sealed the moment with a driving layup just before the final horn, giving High Desert a 34-32 win.
Campos led all scorers with 14 points, Beyale added 11, and Kenton paced the Lady Braves with 14. Beyond the score, the sportsmanship stood out — players helping each other up and competing with respect in a high-energy environment.
The final game of the day featured the eighth grade boys from High Desert and San Carlos. Tight defense and nerves dominated the early minutes, with High Desert holding a narrow 5-3 lead after one quarter and a 9-8 edge at halftime.
San Carlos found its rhythm in the second half. Aundre Boni and Marcos Cosen controlled the boards, while Hunter Thompson and Keydin Kenton added timely scoring. San Carlos’ press and interior play proved too much down the stretch, leading to a 29-15 championship win.
Cosen led the Braves with 14 points, supported by Boni, Thompson, and Kenton. High Desert saw contributions from Landen Fuller, Dominik Goodman, Abel Perez, and Jaxon Boykin.
From start to finish, the Central Junior High League Championships celebrated more than wins and losses — they highlighted growth, teamwork, and the bright future of local basketball.
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