In an intense matchup of district rivals, the Walnut Mustangs maintained their undefeated league record with a hard-fought 68-60 double-overtime victory against the Diamond Bar Brahmas in the basketball version of the Branding Iron Game. The Palomares League clash showcased resilience, determination, and exceptional sportsmanship from both teams.

The game began with Walnut setting the tone early, jumping out to a 16-6 lead by the end of the first quarter. Diamond Bar responded with grit, rallying in the second quarter to tie the game at 21-21 just before halftime, thanks to Tyler West’s clutch free throws with 22 seconds left.

The third quarter saw both teams trading baskets, with Walnut narrowly holding a 36-35 lead heading into the final quarter. Diamond Bar again proved their tenacity, tying the game at 48-48 in the closing moments of regulation. Jedi Chow’s quick inbounds play to Tyler West set up a critical layup to force overtime.

Overtime action mirrored the intensity of regulation. With less than a minute left and Walnut leading 57-55, Diamond Bar’s Ayden Ellis grabbed a crucial rebound, setting up another Chow-to-West connection for the tying layup. Walnut had one final shot to seal the game, but Nathan Yen’s underhand layup rolled off the rim, pushing the game into a second overtime.

In the second overtime, Walnut’s sharp shooting proved to be the difference. Key three-pointers from Ryan Guevara and Nathan Yen propelled the Mustangs to outscore the Brahmas 9-3 in the final period. With this victory, Walnut improved to 4-0 in league play, sharing the top spot in the Palomares League standings with Glendora, while Diamond Bar fell to 1-3.

Key Performances

Walnut Mustangs:

  • Nathan Yen: 16 points, one three-pointer
  • Isaiah Leon: 16 points, two three-pointers
  • Ryan Guevara: 13 points, three three-pointers
  • Kareem Abdull-Haqq: 7 points
  • Myles Wainwright: 9 points
  • Walnut dominated inside, scoring 30 points in the paint, and was efficient from the free-throw line, shooting 16 of 20.

Diamond Bar Brahmas:

  • Tyler West: 33 points, 3 rebounds
  • Ezekiel Alegado: 11 points, 2 rebounds
  • Ayden Ellis: 4 points, 6 rebounds
  • Jedi Chow: 7 points, 9 rebounds, 13 turnovers
  • Diamond Bar struggled with turnovers, committing 21 compared to Walnut’s 10, and shot 6 of 21 from beyond the arc.

Looking Ahead

The win solidifies Walnut’s position as a league powerhouse and sets up a highly anticipated showdown with Glendora. Meanwhile, Diamond Bar will look to regroup and bounce back as league action continues.

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Photos taken by Steven Park and Anthony Sarinana