Natomas High Faces Inderkum in Friday Double Header

BY TREVOR HORN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Friday’s Paws vs. Claws doubleheader will have a championship feel for both Inderkum and Natomas High’s boys basketball teams.

After Natomas High fell to Yuba City High School 65-56 on Tuesday, the Nighthawks and the Tigers are tied for second place in the Tri-County Conference with matching 3-1 records behind a 4-0 Honkers squad which beat Inderkum on Jan. 9.

The winner Friday, Jan. 24 should take the driver seat halfway through the league schedule.

Natomas High (9-8 overall, 3-1 TCC) lost the first five games of the season, but has since gone 9-3. Led by senior Phillip Morgan and freshman point guard Mekhi Williams, the Nighthawks are host Inderkum for the last time as league opponents. Natomas High will move to the Golden Empire League starting next season.

Inderkum (7-14, 3-1) also started slow this season. After a six-game losing streak, senior Terrence White has returned from an injury suffered during football playoffs to lead the Tigers on a three-game win streak in league play on the hardwood.

The senior-heavy Tigers squad also has LD Dhaliwal, Nef Torres, Andew Ignont and Khalil Hudson on the court. The varsity boys teams play 7 p.m. at Inderkum.

Girls Hoops

The varsity double header begins with the girls game at 5:30 p.m. Inderkum is unbeaten in league games while Natomas High is seeking its first TCC win.

The Tigers started the season 2-7 with games against Sacramento High School, McClatchy and Oak Ridge. But Inderkum (10-10, 4-0) has come out on the other side and looks to stay undefeated in league play against the Nighthawks.

Junior Kyliyah Daniel has led the way this season with 12.5 points and 7.7 rebounds a game. Inderkum is seeking a third TCC title in four years. River Valley High School snapped Inderkum’s 24-game league win streak en route to the league title last season. Inderkum has won the first four TCC games by an average of 29.5 points.

Natomas High (4-15, 0-4) will try to rally a win in the last season in the TCC. Under first-year coach Taciana Joseph, the Nighthawks have dropped eight of the last nine games.

Ashley Davis and Halle Hamre once again are leading the way for the Nighthawks.

The girls freshman teams play today, Jan. 23 at 4 p.m. followed by the boys freshman at 5:30 p.m. and girls junior varsity at 7 p.m. The boys JV teams play at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 24 before the varsity games.