Basketball Recap: Jaizahn Lewis Key Part of a Team Effort in Nighthawks Win

It may have taken overtime to finish the job, but Murrieta Valley ultimately got the result they hoped for on Wednesday. They skirted past the Vista Murrieta Broncos 77-75. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Nighthawks have posted since December 3, 2024.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Murrieta Valley to victory, but perhaps none more so than Jaizahn Lewis, who almost dropped a double-double on 27 points and nine boards. Lewis' evening made it 11 games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points. Micah Smith was another key player, almost dropping a double-double on 19 points and nine assists.

Murrieta Valley's win ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 13-8. As for Vista Murrieta, their loss ended a six-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 15-5.

Murrieta Valley and Vista Murrieta should be looking forward to their upcoming games as both have a sizable advantage in the MaxPreps California Rankings. Murrieta Valley will square off against Chaparral at 7:00 p.m. on Friday up 239 places (174 vs. 413). Murrieta Valley is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 70.4 points per game this season. Similarly, Vista Murrieta (ranked 109th) will meet Murrieta Mesa (ranked 574th) at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.