By The Leader Staff
Tiger wrestlers, hoopsters fare well as holiday tournaments dominate December schedule

Lemoore’s varsity boys’ and girls’ wrestling teams are spending much of their December in wrestling tournaments. The Tiger varsity boys took fifth in the prestigious Chukchansi Invitational at Madera South High School on Dec. 6-7.

The Lemoore junior varsity boys also hit the road, competing in the Madera South Stampede Tournament while the Lemoore ladies were in Porterville at Monache High for the RM Parks Girls Tournament.

Last year’s state qualifier Wayne Joint took top honors, beating his opponent 2-1 in the finals at Chukchansi. Joint had to go to overtime to win the decision. Meantime Lemoore’s other state qualifier, Will Kloster, took his skills all the way to the finals before dropping a close 2-1 decision.

In other action at Chukchansi, Jesse Gaytan also worked his way into the finals but dropped an 8-2 match to finish second overall. Dylan McDonald took third place for the Tigers while Arturo Valdez was 7th overall, and Aiden Bryan took 8th place at 197 pounds.

The Lemoore junior varsity team made it all the way to the championship round at Madera South before losing in the title match to Pitman 39-33 for the Tigers’ first loss of the season. The Lemoore JVs are now 7-1 on the year.

The JVs also beat Clovis North 48-27, Buhach Colony 52-27, and Madera South 50-34 to get into the finals.

In girls’ action, Marisa Perico took first place, starting with a quick 17-second pin in the first round. Mia Meno and Destiny Barnes both took fourth place.

Upcoming Matches

12/13 Varsity at Reno Tournament of Champions

12/13 Junior Varsity at Liberty Rancho JV Tournament

12/14 LHS girls at Redwood Varsity Tournament

LHS Basketball tournaments 

Lemoore’s varsity boys’ basketball team went 2-2 in the recently competed Immanuel Tournament of Champions and will take on Pioneer Valley High School from Santa Maria on Dec. 12 in the San Luis Obispo Tournament.

Game time on Thursday in San Luis Obispo is 3:30 p.m.

In the Immanuel tourney, the Tigers opened on Dec. 4 with a 56-44 win over Fresno Christian and then countered with a 41-32 victory on Dec. 5 against Central Valley Christian.

The Tigers took McLane High School to overtime before dropping a 73-67 decision and fell 94-79 against Clovis High in the tourney’s finale.

The Tigers played well against McLane. They exchanged baskets throughout most of the game but were outscored 11-5 in the overtime period to lose.

The Tigers fell to 2-6 overall as they prepare for San Luis Obispo.

Lemoore’s varsity girls’ team is 3-2 heading into a Dec. 18 game at Dinuba in the Dinuba-Orosi Holiday Classic. The Tigers' most recent win came on Dec. 7 when they defeated Coalinga 55-34.