COD (10-4; 2-0) remained undefeated in Conference play as they faced off with a team they had not seen in 42 years, the Palo Verde Pirates of Blythe (1-13; 0-2), giving the Pirates a broadside in front of a festive home crowd, 105-71.
The Roadrunners held onto their #26 ranking from the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association (CCCMBCA) most recent poll (HERE) and had all five starters in tonight's contest in double figures, including two players with double-doubles.
Desert had not played the Palo Verde Pirates of Blythe since 1978, when at the conclusion of the 1977-78 school year, Palo Verde eliminated their athletics program. The last time the Roadrunners played the Pirates, the head coach of Desert was legend Frank Garcia, in his final year at the helm.
Most of the first half was too close for comfort for Roadrunners head coach Trent Skinner and with 9:37 left in the half, the Pirates held a 24-22 lead. Then Desert found their groove, slamming on the offensive gas and putting a lid on top of the Palo Verde basket, the Roadrunners would go on a 15-0 run, lasting over five and a half minutes. The home crowd was electric and the fun was just beginning as Desert would take a 14 point lead at the break, 46-32.
Immediately, into the second half sophomore starting guard John Rich (Palm Springs H.S.) hit one of his five three-point shots to send a clear message that the evening was about to end early for Palo Verde. The Pirates would get to within 11 points, 51-40, but could not close the gap as Desert would put on an offensive show to close out the game.
Rich would join teammate, sophomore starting guard Joshua Jones (Moreno Valley Valley View), with 22 points each to lead the team. Rich would go 8 of 14 from the field, including an incredible 5 of 7 from beyond the arc and Jones would go 8 of 13 form the field, shooting a staggering 4 of 7 from three-point range.
Sophomore starting guard Sam Skipper (Perris H.S.) scored 16 points on 7 of 13 shooting, grabbing his second double-double of the season, collecting 12 total rebounds.
Sophomore starting forward Kavonte Kinney (Cathedral City H.S.) contributed 14 points on 6 of 14 shooting, getting his sixth double-double of the season by snagging, a team leading, 13 boards in the win.
Freshman starting guard Devlin Adams (Moreno Valley H.S.) added 13 points on 4 of 16 shooting and tied for the team lead in assists with six and freshman guard Antonio Holley lll (Santa Monica H.S.) led the team in steals with eight and tied for the team lead in assists with six, in a huge contribution off of the bench on the night.
The next game for Desert is on Saturday, January 4 at home against the San Bernardino Valley Wolverines in IEAC play. Since 1981, the Roadrunners have an 18-38 record overall against the Wolverines, including a 10-16 record in Palm Desert. The last time the Roadrunners defeated San Bernardino Valley was 2007, winning the contest in Palm Desert, 68-64.
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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.
Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Natalie Avila (COD Sports Information)
