The crowd at Thursday's non-league challenge between the El Cerrito Gauchos (El Cerrito, CA) and the host Pinole Valley Spartans (Pinole, CA), observed El Cerrito's basketball team edge Pinole Valley by a score of 62-61.

The Gauchos (8-5) will now prepare for their challenge against De Anza (El Sobrante, CA). The Dons come into the Tri-County - Stone challenge with a 2-7 record. In their last challenge, De Anza was tipped by Swett (Crockett, CA), 75-61, in a league challenge.

In their next game, the Spartans battle the Vallejo Redhawks (Vallejo, CA) in a Tri-County - Rock challenge, on Friday, January 10. Pinole Valley will attempt to improve on its 6-9 season record. The Redhawks come into the challenge with a 4-12 record after their 72-53 non-league win over Swett (Crockett, CA).