Basketball Recap: Central's Luck Changes for the Better on Friday + How To Watch

Central was handed a 37-point loss in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene on Friday. It was close, but they capped 2025 with a 69-67 win over the Rancho Mirage Rattlers. The victory was all the more spectacular given the Spartans' disadvantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 983rd, while the Rattlers are ranked 325th).

JOSEPH AISPURO

Assists

12/26/25 @ Rancho Mirage	4
12/04/25 vs Foothills Christian	1
02/12/25 @ Calexico	1
02/07/25 vs Southwest EC	1
01/30/25 vs Vincent Memorial	1
+ 6 more games

Central's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but JOSEPH AISPURO led the charge by shooting 44% from the field en route to 21 points. What's more, AISPURO posted four assists, the most he's had since back in November of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of ROY MENDEZ, who put up 13 points along with seven steals and six rebounds.

Central was working as a unit and finished the game with 20 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.

With the win, Central broke their four-game losing streak and moved their record to 3-4. As for Rancho Mirage, their defeat ended a five-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 7-3.

Coincidentally, Central and Rancho Mirage will both be playing Cathedral City the next time they take the court. The Rattlers will head out to face the Lions at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, while the Spartans will head out to face them at 11:30 p.m. on Monday.