The Murrieta Mesa Rams's recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Tuesday after their fourth straight loss. They fell just short of Temecula Valley by a score of 38-35. While losing is never fun, Murrieta Mesa can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 665th, while Temecula Valley is ranked 330th).
Murrieta Mesa's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was LaKaila Trimble, who scored nine points along with ten rebounds and three blocks. Trimble hasn't dropped below two blocks for 12 straight games. Another player making a difference was Miranda Moore, who scored three points along with 13 rebounds.
Temecula Valley can attribute much of their success to Karlee Wellonen, who scored 13 points along with nine rebounds and three steals. Wellonen has been hot recently, having posted eight or more rebounds the last three times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Audrey Pollack, who scored six points along with seven rebounds.
Murrieta Mesa has not been sharp recently, as they've lost seven of their last nine contests, which put a noticeable dent in their 7-13 record this season. As for Temecula Valley, they are on a roll lately: they've won seven of their last nine matchups, which provided a nice bump to their 12-6 record this season.
Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Murrieta Mesa will take on Vista Murrieta at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Vista Murrieta is coming into the contest on a three-game losing streak. Temecula Valley's road trip will continue as they head out to face Great Oak at 5:30 p.m. on January 12th. Great Oak will be looking to extend their current five-game winning streak.
