Big game tonight, Yucaipa takes on Mesa Grande in girls basketball

CALIMESA - There's a big rivalry on tap tonight in girls high school basketball as the Mesa Grande Academy Cardinals of Calimesa host the Yucaipa Thunderbirds in the Mesa Grande High School gymnasium.

Game time is 6 p.m.

Mesa Grande has started out slowly this year with a 1-3 record. But that can be deceiving as the Cardinals typically begin each season by playing much bigger schools from higher CIF divisions than they otherwise face in the Victory League.

Year-in-and-year-out, the Cardinals are a Victory League contender and a CIF Playoffs regular.

The Cardinals, Jennifer Dupper, paces Mesa Grande in scoring with 11.5 points per game, while Tamara Bowles carries a 6.5 ppg, and Brianna Melker averages, 5.5 ppg. In rebounding, Melker pulls down 13.3 per game, while Megan Williams averages 11.3.

Yucaipa has posted a 3-1 record to date. The Thunderbirds are led by the scoring of Megan Allen with a 15.7 ppg, and Jolene Castanon at 15.3 ppg. Allen also averages 7.7 rebounds per game, while Sam Tucker pulls down 13 rpg, along with 7.8 ppg.

Mesa Grande Academy
975 Fremont St.
Calimesa, CA
(909) 795-1112

(Take County Line Road east to Fremont Street, and turn right. The school is on the left side of Fremont.)