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Bishop Destroy Boron for Eighth Win of the Season

The Bishop Broncos cruised to a 69-28 victory over the Boron Bobcats last night in the fourth High Desert League game of the season.

Bishop led the game from the start and never looked back.

Within five seconds, the Broncos were able to score two points thanks to a Johnny Torres steal and score. About ten seconds later, Bishop added to their lead when Sophomore, Kenyan Piper snatched the ball and took it all the way to the basket for an easy pair of points.

The early lead would set the tone for the rest of the night.

Boron made many mistakes when trying to set up their offense. It seemed as though every time the Bobcats tried to send the ball inside, a Bronco was there to either deflect the ball or steal it. The careless passing on the part of the Bobcats allowed Bishop to push the tempo quickly and finish on the break after forcing turnovers.

One major point of concern for the Broncos going in to tonight’s game related to the absence of Blaine Spoonhunter, the team’s best defender, who is no longer with the team. Spoonhunter’s length and hustle will definitely be missed, but if yesterday’s game is a sample of what is to come defensively, the team may end up being able to handle the loss of such a quality player.

The two best defensive players yesterday were Luke McClean and Jaydan Braithwaite. McClean did a nice job of altering shots inside the paint, while Braithwaite demonstrated his quickness, cutting off passing lanes and poking the ball away from the Boron ball handlers.

Offensively, the best player on the court was Kenyan Piper, who has been tremendous all season long. Piper hit four three pointers on the night, and had quite a few nice plays driving inside the paint and finishing.

Another player who stepped up, was Johnny Torres, who made his first start of the season. Torres demonstrated an ability to knock down the mid range jumper all evening. If Bishop have a weakness, it is shooting. Torres will need to continue to show that he can hit his jumper in order to supplement the team’s lack of shooting for the rest of the year.

Up next for the Broncos, a rivalry game against the Kern Valley Broncs, who have a 2-2 High Desert League record. The game will be an away game on Friday at 7:30.

Community News, Local Scores, Sports

Bishop Fall Short in State Championship

The ride was fun while it lasted. In the final game of the season, Bishop ended up losing 37-19 to the CIF Northern Coast Division 7 Champion Selesian Pride. The loss is the first for the Broncos since the third game of the season against Rim of the World.

One thing was quite apparent while watching the 6-A California State Championship on Saturday. Salesian were fast and strong. They were perhaps fastest and strongest team Bishop had faced all season.

Speaking of that speed, it was on display during the Pride’s first drive. Quarterback, Ronald Robertson efficiently marched his team all the way down to the one yard line. That’s when Salesian’s strength was demonstrated. Bishop did a solid job of stopping the first two Salesian attempts in the red zone. However, the third time was the charm as Salesian scored off of a 1 yard sweep to Running Back, Kareem Sullivan.

Later on in the first quarter, Bishop responded with a touchdown of their own. Quarterback, Luke McClean marched his offense all the way inside Salesian’s five yard-line. McClean called his own number and scored on a keeper. The PAT was missed by Dan Sudki. The Broncos trailed 7-6.

Midway into the second quarter, Salesian added to their lead. The Pride were running an overload offense the entire drive leading up to the score. That’s when the team from Richmond decided to throw the ball in a traditionally run-based formation. Robertson found standout wide-out, Kailan Chang over the middle of the field for a 30 yard touchdown. Bishop trailed 14-6.

Shortly after the touchdown, Salesian got the ball back and marched deep into Bronco territory. It appeared as though the Pride were going to score again; that’s when Kennedy Bachelder came up with a huge interception. Robertson, who was facing pressure threw it right to the young sophomore. The ball was spotted at the 2 yard-line.

Unfortunately for Bishop, the momentum from the turnover was short lived. That speed and power mentioned earlier was on display, when UC Davis commit, Princeton Toki tackled McClean for a safety. Bishop would go into the half trailing 16-6.

Bishop had possession to start the final half of their season. After a nice run up the middle to start the drive by Steven Paco, the Broncos turned the ball over resulting in the second fumble of the game. Unfortunately, McClean was pressured on a run up the middle and lost the ball.

Robertson subsequently found Chang for another receiving touchdown making it 22-6 Salesian.

The 22 points given up by the third quarter were the most points Bishop had surrendered since the game against Rim of the World in mid September.

Instead of folding, the Broncos demonstrated that resilience, which has served them so well throughout the entirety of the year. Running back, Steven Paco got Bishop within nine points when he scored off of a 15 yard sweep. Paco, who grew up playing as a slot receiver but switched to running back his sophomore year got the ball from the slot for the touchdown.

Salesian scored yet again in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. Robertson hooked up with Chang for the third time on the day. The Pride converted the two point try, which made the score 30-13.

Luke McClean scored a few moments later off of another quarterback keeper, but it was a little bit too late for Bishop pull off a comeback.

Bishop finish their season with a 12-3 record, which is the best year Arnie Palu has had as a coach. The team finished as the CIF Central Section Champions for Division 6. Bishop will miss key contributors such as Luke McClean, Tristan Valle, Jaydan Braithwaite, and Joey Molina next year. However, the cupboard is not empty. Returning players include Kennedy Bachelder, Steven Paco, Joe Weaver, Clay Omohundro and Trevin Moose.

Bronco Football, Community News, Local News, Local Scores, Sports

Bishop Win a Thriller to Advance to the CIF Championship Game

Photos by Gary Young Photography

Resilience is a word that comes to mind when describing Bishop’s effort Friday night.

The first half belonged to the Cardinals. Lindsay controlled the tempo on their first possession, with a methodical march down the field that lasted nearly seven minutes. Star running back, Danny Trujillo, who came into the game with more than 2,100 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, was dragging Bishop’s front seven forward on what appeared to be nearly every play.

Nearly every time the standout halfback was hit, he would fall forward, or break a tackle, until Lindsay found themselves on Bishop’s doorstep. Lindsay scored on a one yard run, but it was Danny’s brother, Israel who punched it in.

Down 7-0, the Broncos quickly responded. Lindsay put all of their eggs into one basket by trying to stop the run the subsequent drive. With 2:40 to go in the first quarter, Luke McClean threw a strike down the middle of the field to Jaydan Braithwaite for a 55 yard touchdown.

After tying the game up at seven a piece, Bishop didn’t do much else in the first half. The Trujillo brothers were running rampant on the Bronco’s front seven. It seemed like every time a linebacker or defensive lineman had a good angle for a tackle, the Trujillo brothers were able to slip by the defense.The ground and pound formula paid dividends yet again for Lindsay, when Danny Trujillo scored a six yard touchdown to make it 16-7 Cardinals. Bishop looked tired, beaten, and battered.

Bishop got the ball to start the second half. The waters did not calm for the Broncos during the first drive. Star quarterback, Luke McClean threw an interception on the near sideline, giving the ball back to the Cardinals in Bishop territory. The interception could have been the moment where head coach, Arnie Palu’s team folded, but it wasn’t.

Instead, the turnover was a moment which appeared to galvanize the team. Bishop forced a three and out after the turnover, and for the rest of the game defensive coordinator, Rick Beall had his defense dialed in.

Those Grand Canyon sized holes Danny Trujillo was running through in the first half turned into narrow crevices. All of those missed tackles in the first half were a thing of the past. The Broncos were able to get to Trujillo before he had any steam and nullified most of his rushing attempts.

The offense followed the defense’s example, playing inspired football. In the third quarter, the Luke McClean found wide receiver, Johnny Torres for a thirty yard touchdown to pull within two.

In the fourth and final quarter, McClean went back to Torres, who was wide open for a fifteen yard touchdown. The crowd erupted as Bishop had finally taken the lead. McClean then scored the two-point conversion on a direct snap. Bishop were up 22-16.

After the score, it was time for the Bronco defense to hold the line. On a crucial third down, Sophomore, Kennedy Bachelder sacked quarterback, Randon Gomez resulting in a fourth down and long for Lindsay. The Cardinals were bailed out on what would have been Lindsay’s final play, when Sophomore, Luis Cruz got called for pass interference.

With about two minutes left in the game, Gomez threw up a prayer with hopes of trying to convert a first down. That prayer was not answered. The ball was thrown near Steven Paco, who came up with the game-winning interception.

The final score in this one was 22-16. Bishop will now match up against Orosi in the CIF Championship Game for Division Six.

Local Scores, Sports

Bishop Hold Off Desert’s Late Surge to Clinch Victory

After losing against Rosamond High School last Friday, the Bishop Broncos Boys basketball team responded with a much needed victory against the Desert Scorpions. The victory has revitalized the team’s hopes of finishing second in the High Desert League.

Bishop were able to fend off a Desert team who nearly overcame a sixteen point deficit, cutting the Bronco’s lead all the way down to one point with 1:30 remaining in the game. However, the Broncos hunkered down on the defensive end, forcing a late turnover which sealed the game in favor of Bishop. The game finished 52-49.

The game between the two teams was quite different from the away game at Edwards Air Force Base, where the Scorpions were hitting their threes and scoring inside the paint.

This time around, Bishop clogged up the lane, forcing Desert into shooting threes. A stroke of luck was on the side of the team from the Owens Valley, as Desert’s jumpers were not falling.

Additionally, Desert’s inability to take care of the ball was a big reason why Bishop won. The Scorpions often moved the ball around lazily, with many passes flat and ill-advised. These poor passes were often stolen and finished in transition for easy baskets. Junior, Blaine Spoonhunter played inspired on the defensive end, with three blocks, key defensive rebounds, and steals.

Luke McClean did a solid job distributing the ball into the Denny’s Bronco Slam Player of the Game, Cal Omohundro, who positioned himself in the right areas for easy points. Not only did Omohundro do a good job scoring, he was excellent when it came to boxing out and snagging rebounds.

Bishop’s next game is this Friday against Cal City, who are undefeated in the High Desert League.

Local Scores, Sports

Costly Turnovers Lose the Game for the Broncos

The Bishop Union Boys team lost a pivotal match up against Rosamond on Friday, losing 68-54. Friday’s loss can be attributed to two things: turnovers and fouls.

Things started out well for the Broncos in the first half. Junior, Blaine Spoonhunter scored the team’s first four points, and the team ended up leading by double digits at the end of the first quarter.

Junior, Luke McClean was able to penetrate at will, attacking the basket whenever the opportunity arose. The game started out much like the first meeting between the two teams, where Bishop got out to an early lead and cruised to a 63-44 victory because of transition baskets.

However, the game plan started to go awry with about five minutes left in the first half. Rosamond made some adjustments and did not allow point guard, Luke McClean any space when it came to penetration. McClean was forced into making bad passes by a Roadrunner team who clogged up the paint.

The turnovers provided Rosamond with a spark offensively, and the team from the Antelope Valley were able to finish in transition on multiple occasions, cutting the lead down to one moments before halftime.

Momentum kept teetering in favor of the Roadrunners, until eventually momentum swung completely away from the Broncos. Three pointers started falling, and what started out as a one point lead blossomed into double digits. Rosamond shooting guard, Alex Cervantes started to catch fire from beyond the arc, and ended up hitting four threes in the game.

Bishop promptly stormed back, thanks to a couple of threes from Luke McClean and Cal Omohundro. However, the Broncos found themselves in the bonus early in both the third and fourth quarters, which provided the Roadrunners with frequent trips to the stripe.

Rosamond made the most of their trips to the line, making 14 out of 18 free throw attempts.

The Broncos now have three High Desert League losses, and trail Desert for second place by two games. Bishop have an opportunity to gain ground on the Scorpions, who they play this Tuesday at 7:30 PM on 1230 AM KBOV.