Basketball Recap: Paradise Valley Takes Down La Joya Community in a Playoff Battle

It can be hard to translate regular season success to the playoffs, but Paradise Valley had no problem doing just that on Friday. They walked away with a 56-46 victory over the La Joya Community Fighting Lobos. That's the second time they've managed to beat them this season, as they also won 64-59 back in December of 2024.

Omari Gilbert

Field Goal Percentage

02/21/25 vs La Joya Community	71%
02/13/25 vs Youngker	100%
02/11/25 vs Carl Hayden Community	67%

Paradise Valley's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Omari Gilbert, who went 5-for-7 to rack up 13 points. Gilbert is also on a roll when it comes to shooting accuracy, as he's posted one of at least 67% in the last three games he's played. Another player making a difference was Shayden Yarde, who dropped a double-double with 11 points and 11 boards.

Paradise Valley was working as a unit and finished the game with 16 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as La Joya Community only six assists.

Several Fighting Lobos players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Isaiah Carter, who posted 15 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Joseph Rukundo, who went 6-for-14 on his way to 15 points and six rebounds.

The victory made it two in a row for Paradise Valley and bumps their season record up to 17-10. The wins came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 68.0 points over those games. As for La Joya Community, the defeat snapped their winning streak at seven games and leaves them with a 21-6 record.

Paradise Valley wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next contest, an 85-58 loss against Central on the 26th. La Joya Community does not have any more games scheduled as of now.