Basketball Game Preview: Pinole Valley Spartans vs. Bellarmine College Prep Bells

The Pinole Valley Spartans and the Bellarmine College Prep Bells will face off at 4:55 p.m. on Saturday without much rest having both just played. One thing working in Pinole Valley's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last three matchups.

Pinole Valley is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Fremont just ended the team's three-game winning streak on Friday. Their2024 ended with a 72-57 defeat against the Tigers. While losing is never fun, the Spartans can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 481st, while the Tigers are ranked 229th).

Despite the loss, Pinole Valley got top-tier performance from Jaylin Reed, who dropped a double-double on 23 points and 13 boards. The contest was Reed's 11th in a row with at least ten points. Another player making a difference was De'Ari Simmons, who posted 15 points.

Meanwhile, Bellarmine College Prep's undefeated season came to an end after seven games on Friday. They fell 54-43 to Grant. The match marked the Bells' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Having lost for the first time this season, Bellarmine College Prep fell to 7-1. As for Pinole Valley, their defeat dropped their record down to 5-5.