MAXWELL, CA (MPG) – After posting easy wins over CORE Butte and Princeton in its first two games at its own Irene Wells Memorial Tournament, the Panthers had to settle for second place after falling to Biggs in the championship game.
Beginning play on Dec. 11, Maxwell crushed CORE Butte by a score of 63-29 behind 25 points from All-Tournament pick Tanner Vierra and 12 apiece from Levi Velasquez and Vincent Orozco.
It was more of the same the following evening as the Panthers rolled Princeton 83-41, however this time it was more of a balanced attack.
Propelling Maxwell into the championship game, Orozco and Alex Krug finished with 16 points apiece, Vierra tallied 14, with Velasquez and Macklin Kuska each adding 10 points to the total.
However, it was an inauspicious start in the game against Biggs as Maxwell found itself down 21-6 in the first quarter and could never recover, ultimately falling 30-48 to the Wolverines.
Orozco, who was also named to the All-Tournament team, led the Panthers with 13 points, but no one else was able to put in more than five points.
a spot on the All -Tournament team
Also participating in the tournament was Princeton, who pulled off a stunning 64-62 win over Willows, lost to Maxwell in its second game 41-83, then dropped the last contest to Lower Lake 46-75.
Yet, the young Eagles have some firepower and are to be commended for their efforts given that their roster consists mainly of freshmen.
Nate Ramirez pumped in 28 points in the victory over Willows, 11 against Maxwell and 16 in the finale to earn an All-Tournament nod.
Freshman Emmanuel Andrade continued to impress scoring 26, 25 and 18 points respectively.
Rounding out the Colusa County contingent at the tournament was Williams, who despite playing well fell 49-55 to eventual champion Biggs, 49-57 to Los Molinos before routing CORE Butte 70-41.
Diego Ambriz represented the Yellowjackets on the All-Tournament team.