Basketball Recap: Pioneer Falls Despite Big Games from Emiliano Romero and Melvir Pooni

Pioneer was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They took a 73-63 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Sonoma Valley Dragons. If the Patriots were looking for revenge after losing 71-55 to them when the teams met, then they'll just have to keep looking.

Pioneer's loss came despite strong showings from Melvir Pooni and Emiliano Romero. Pooni posted 18 points and three steals, while Romero went 5 of 9 on his way to 10 points and five rebounds. The matchup was Pooni's third in a row with at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Alex Macias, who had eight points and nine rebounds.

Even though they lost, Pioneer was working as a unit and finished the game with 14 assists. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their assist total in three consecutive contests.

Sonoma Valley's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Hudson Giarritta, who went 7 of 13 on his way to 24 points along with six assists and six boards. That's the most assists Giarritta has posted since back in January of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Grayson Sanders, who made all 7 shots he took to post 17 points.

Pioneer's loss dropped their record down to 5-10. As for Sonoma Valley, with the win, they broke their four-game losing streak and moved their record to 4-6.

Pioneer wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next game, a 66-48 victory against Armijo on the 30th. As for Sonoma Valley, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next match, a 73-51 win against Vacaville Christian on the 30th.