West Valley Back on Track after 71-53 Dismantling of Eisenhower

In just their second home game in the last 28 days, West Valley was determined to make their presence felt early.

And we're not evening referring to the on-court product.

An incredibly distracting sea of West Valley students buried their heads in the local newspaper as the game tipped off.

West Valley fans referred it as their silent night tradition (not making noise until the 10th point is scored).

Eisenhower was two key players short for this contest.

Starting power forwards Gio Diaz and Demario Morgan were suspended following a scuffle that took place last week against AC Davis.

A seesaw battle broke out in the first quarter as West Valley clung to an 18-15 lead.

But West Valley would set the tone in the second quarter in a comically absurd way.

Dallin Cluff, Trey Funk, and Logan Kinloch combined for five three-pointers. Sending them into the half with a 38-20 lead.

"We realized we were better than them in a lot of spots, and we were set on exposing their weakness," said West Valley senior Spencer Bailey on their adjustments.

As West Valley built their lead to a commendable 34 points, Coach Jon Kinloch began to empty the bench.

"You've got to love (Freshman) Logan Kinloch, Trey Funk was getting his stroke back, and Malachi Caffrey is really finding himself," said Spencer Bailey on the new guys stepping up.

Eisenhower elected to keep their starters in, and they were able to make up a good chunk of the deficit in the fourth quarter over West Valley's second unit. They fell "only" 71-53.

While in danger of falling to last place in the Big Nine Conference, Coach Kinloch appeared to have no interest installing urgency into his players.

"It's got to come from within the kids, I've coached long enough to know you can try to make the kids want it, but they have to find that on their own."

Notable performances for West Valley include Spencer Bailey (14,) Dallin Cluff (11), Trey Funk (11), and Malachi Caffrey (10).

For Eisenhower, senior forward Efrain Araujo had an inspiring 32 points in an otherwise dismal Ike offense.

No team in the Big Nine is overlooking West Valley. A hidden gem that frustratingly hasn't blossomed to it's potential.

"It doesn't matter what happens now," said Coach Kinloch, "It matters what happens at the end, we need to put ourselves in a position to play our best basketball then."

Good times were had by all in this morale-boost win at West Valley High.

After a somewhat flat 6-8 start to the season, West Valley seems poised to get their season headed in the right direction.