Yucaipa rolls to easy victory, sets up big game tonight at Redlands East Valley

O'Donnell paces Thunderbirds in points, while Walker pulls down 17 boards

Yucaipa's Blake O'Donnell chases after Rialto's Jonathan Redmond during the Thunderbirds, 79-70, victory Friday at Yucaipa High School.
Photo By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - Every Thunderbird got into the game and 10-of-14 players on the roster scored as the Yucaipa boys basketball team broke open a tight first quarter to roll to an easy 79-70 victory over Rialto in Citrus Belt League action at Yucaipa High School on Thursday.

With the win, Yucaipa's CBL record stands at 3-1, 7-7 overall, while Rialto is 0-4, 1-10.

After taking an 18-14 lead after the first quarter of play, Blake O'Donnell scored 12 of his game-high 25 points in the second quarter to pace the Thunderbirds to a 43-27 lead at the half. O'Donnell got plenty of help as Taijuan Walker continued his double-double season with 15 points and 17 rebounds.

In the third quarter, the Thunderbirds led by as many as 25 before coach Pat McLeod started pulling his starters and everybody got playing time.

The win sets up a big rivalry game tonight at 6 p.m. as the Thunderbirds take on Redlands East Valley at REV in another CBL game. REV has a 2-2 CBL record, 11-6 overall.

A win tonight could launch the Thunderbirds into third place in the CBL behind number two Redlands, and league-leading Eisenhower, which is ranked number one in the latest CIF Southern Section Div. II-A poll.

YUCAIPA SCORING: O'Donnell 25, Shamon Walker 3, Cole Hauso 6, Justin Thomas 2, Casey Garrison 2, Tyler McGrand 3, David Petta 4, Chingy Singh 8, Sam Newaz, 11, and Walker 15 and 17 rebounds.

RIALTO SCORING: Dylan Snell 9, Bryron Woods 12, William Hamilton 4, Ryan Mosely 19, Frank Pina 6, Oswaldo Hernandez 18, and Jonathan Redding 2.