On Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, RCHS defeated Etiwanda High School for the Baseline League boys basketball championship. The Cougars won the game with a final score of 68-58. This win marks history as the first time the boys basketball team went undefeated in the Baseline League in the school’s history.
Texas A&M recruit and RCHS senior Aaron Glass led the way to the win, finishing his final regular season game with an impressive 38 points. Seniors Mckel Shedrick and Diego Murguia combined for 22 points, giving the team the final push they needed to overcome Etiwanda High.
The Etiwanda vs. Rancho matchup is usually the most anticipated matchup during the season since there is a well-established rivalry spanning different sports. According to Maxpreps.com, at least 1,000 people were in attendance for the championship game. Among the crowd was the Houston Texans quarterback and Rancho alum CJ Stroud watching courtside.
During the first quarter, Etiwanda was trailing Rancho until the final minute of the quarter where they flipped a switch and came into the second quarter with a score of 17-21. They didn’t take their foot off the pedal and continued to score against Rancho during the 2nd quarter, ending the half with a score of 27-36.
Entering the third quarter, senior guard Chu Chu Osuji scored two points to get the momentum rolling for the Cougars. Personal and shooting fouls began to stack up against Etiwanda, giving players like Aiden Jensen and Glass a chance to put more points on the board with free throws. Rancho then went on a 13-12 run in the final five minutes of the third quarter, bringing the total score to 47-50.
Following these electric three quarters, the fourth was just as exciting. Senior Aiden Jensen fouled an Etiwanda player, allowing them to get an extra two points, making the score 47-52. The Eagles’ free throws were followed by another two points to make the score 47-54. Glass came down with the ball and scored four points in two possessions, shortening the Etiwanda lead. Both teams continued going back and forth, with electric shots coming from Shedrick and a game-tying shot from Glass to round out the score to 58-58.
With less than three minutes left in the game, the Cougars completely shut down the Eagles, effectively preventing them from scoring any more points for the rest of the game and securing the championship for RCHS.
“It was great energy in the crowd and on the floor,” Glass said. “It was an all-around great game.”
With help from the Rancho rooters and fans, the Cougars had more than enough support to overcome their long-time rival in the baseline league championship.
For many, this was their final regular season high school game, as seniors Glass, Tyler Pitts, Jensen, Murguia, Jackson Fuentes, Shedrick, Marko Plascencia, and Osuji are graduating from RCHS at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
When commenting on the game and big win for the Cougars, Assistant Coach and varsity basketball announcer John Schade said, “It was an exciting game to announce. This team is extremely talented and deserves this win.”
