"We have one of the toughest pre-season schedules in the area," said Lady Broncos Head Coach Chris Jones. "It gives us an opportunity to see where we need to be in the post-season."

The Vista Murrieta Lady Broncos (11-5) started the season with two tough losses against two of the top teams in the state, Bishop’s High School and Oaks Christian.

Bishop’s is ranked #3 in the San Diego Section and #10 in the state in Division 4 (max preps). Oaks Christian is #4 in Southern Section, Division 4AA, #6 in the state Division 4, and #24 overall. The loss against Bishop was a nail-biter, 58-57. The loss against Oaks Christian was a character-builder, 70-26.

The Lady Broncos bounced back with an 11-game win streak with wins over #1-ranked SD Section, Div 3 Cathedral Catholic (55-44) and #2-ranked North Coast section, Div 5 San Domenico (58-44) in the La Jolla Country Day Tournament; #1-ranked SD Section, Div 5 Horizon (61-59); West Covina (67-22), Charter Oak (59-20), Lakeside (51-31) and Chino Hills (65-41) in the San Dimas Tournament; #3-ranked SD Section, Div 2 Westview (78-59); Warren High in Downey (47-43); #3-ranked Div 5 team in the state Sierra Canyon (66-47) and St Paul from Santa Fe Springs (63-55) in the West Coast Holiday Festival.

The Broncos then ran into the #5 team in the state and #8-ranked team in the nation, Etiwanda Eagles, in pool play and lost 83-64. A 16-0 Etiwanda run at the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second quarter made the difference as the Eagles led 40-24 at halftime. Yuendie Guridi scored 17 for the Broncos; Serafina Maulupe had 16, including three-of-four from the 3 pt arc; Brittney Reed added 12 points, nine steals and three assists; and Alexis Rivas had ten points.

Etiwanda’s size made a difference on the boards and high shooting percentage made the difference on the scoreboard. Vista Murrieta averages 30 rebounds per game; they only had 19 in this one.

The Broncos had to play catch-up again as the state’s #4 ranked Div 4 team, St. Bernard’s, scored 31 in the first quarter and 19 in the second quarter to take a 50-18 halftime lead en route to a 77-54 rout. The pressure defense and uptempo transition offense had the Broncos on their heels most of the game. Maulupe and Reed had double-doubles in the loss. Maulupe had seventeen points (three three’s) and 11 rebounds; Reed had 12 points, 11 boards. Jaelyn Brown contributed 11 points and five rebounds.

Jones is impressed with the potential of this year’s team.

"Serafina’s maturity is incredibly developed…when to shoot, when to get the game under control… she is a scorer! Yuendie has proven how much we missed her last year (broken leg)…we match her against the opponents’ top scorer…leads our team in assists," said Jones.

He is also impressed with the caliber of talent in his younger players, freshmen Jaelyn Brown and Brittney Reed.

"Jaelyn is an athlete well beyond her years; it is remarkable what she can do athletically. Brittney has a real instinct for the basket and can really score; tremendous rebounding numbers as well," Jones said.

Vista Murrieta opened league away at Temecula Valley (3-7) on Jan. 9 and away at Great Oak (6-4) on Jan. 11.