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Sports

PD Boy's Hoopsters Fall to Mater Dei

The Aztecs lose in playoff-like atmosphere at Aztec Gym.

The Palm Desert boy’s basketball team struggled against one of the nation’s top teams at home Monday, falling to Mater Dei of Santa Ana 70-46. 

Though the game had no influence on the Desert Valley League, it was a good test for the Aztecs in their preparations for a CIF post-season bid. Granted, Palm Desert and Mater Dei are in different divisions and will not meet again this year. But now the Aztecs know the type of playoff game that may be waiting in the wings.  

The visiting Monarchs are ranked eleventh in the nation, according to latest USA Today Super 25 poll. They showed why in the opening minutes by hitting three baskets from long range in the first two minutes, jumping out to a 9-2 lead.  From there, Mater Dei would never look back.  

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“We were just outmatched, they all had a four or five inch height advantage. They’re very athletic.  They hit those three pointers in the first minute, and we were playing catch up from there,” said Aztecs Coach Don Brady.

The game gave a preview of what a division 3A post-season game will be like for the Aztecs.

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“The atmosphere was intense,” Brady said about the crowd and noise level in Aztec Gym. “It was a good intense game. We need more games like this.”

With the DVL season at its midpoint, no team has a secured slot in the post season. Palm Desert is ranked twelfth in the latest CIF division 3A polls, making a playoff bid a strong probability for now.  But after falling in the second round of the playoffs last season, the Aztecs know that a strong run through the remaining seven DVL games is critical to post season success. 

The non-league loss drops Palm Desert to 11-7 for the year, with Desert Valley League action resuming Tuesday as the Aztecs visit La Quinta.

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