Pirates win back-to-back district titles

The Braden River High boys basketball team captured its second-consecutive district title with a 68-56 victory over Venice in the Class 7A-District 11 championship Feb. 10.

With the game tied at 20-20 with 1:26 left to play in the first half, the host Pirates scored five points in the closing 86 seconds to take a 25-20 lead into the locker room, which it never relinquished.

Braden River had four players finish in double figures, including Tre Bryant (20 points), Jeff Casseus (15), Trevon Young (13) and Tommy Bernhardt (12). Young also hauled in 14 rebounds and Casseus finished with six boards.

With the win, the Pirates will return home to face the District 12 runner-up in a Class 7A-Region 3 quarterfinal Feb. 16.

For a complete story on Braden River’s run to the district championship, pick up the Feb. 16 issue of the East County Observer.