Basketball Recap: Jocelyne Lerma's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Hesperia over Imperial

After flying high against Orange Vista last Monday, Hesperia came back down to earth. The Hesperia Scorpions took a 47-29 bruising from the Imperial Tigers on Thursday. While losing is never fun, the Scorpions can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 525th, while the Tigers are ranked 149th).

Several Scorpions players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Jocelyne Lerma, who posted nine points in addition to six boards and three steals. Another player making a difference was Paris Leonard, who put up seven points and five rebounds.

Imperial was led to victory by Nayeli Cardona and Elynna Jimenez. Cardona had 21 points in addition to five boards and four steals, while Jimenez dropped a double-double on 15 points and ten boards. Cardona has been hot, having posted three or more steals the last seven times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Kayla Armenta, who posted four points.

Hesperia has traveled a rocky road recently having lost five of their last six matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 5-8 record this season. As for Imperial, they are on a roll lately: they've won seven of their last eight contests, which provided a nice bump to their 10-2 record this season.

Coincidentally, both will both be playing Grossmont the next time they take the court. Imperial will head out to face Grossmont at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, while Hesperia will play them later in the day, at 1:30 p.m.