Chaparral and Vista Murrieta clashed in the Southwestern league opener where the Pumas edged the Broncos 51-49 Tuesday, January 4. Valley News/David Canales photo

The Chaparral Pumas boys’ basketball team scored 51 points, holding the visiting Vista Murrieta Broncos to 49 in the Pumas league opener Tuesday, January 4.

With the first game of the new year out of the way, Chaparral now sports a 12-3 record. The Pumas will put it on the line next when they host Murrieta Mesa Friday, January 7. Chaparral will battle a Rams team coming off a 87-58 league loss to Great Oak. The Rams record now stands at 8-10.

The Broncos (13-5) will now prepare for the next game against Temecula Valley. The Golden Bears come into the Southwestern contest with a 1-16 record. In their last contest, Temecula Valley was taken down by Murrieta Valley, 83-43, in their league opening contest.

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.

JP Raineri

JP is an award-winning multimedia journalist and head of the sports department at the Valley News. A former Southwestern League head baseball coach and former President of the Temecula Youth Baseball League, he has also worked as a local radio personality for All Pro Broadcasting and as a television host for the Outdoor Channel. When he’s not covering sports, JP works in the Media Technology Department for Major League Baseball.