Bring the Rain 2024 Recap
It was a sold-out house Friday night in the new Freed Center at Vanguard University for Pacifica Christian's 6th Annual Bring the Rain Basketball Games. One of the most highly anticipated games not just for Trition Nation but the entire Orange County community, drew over 1500 people in attendance. All armed with toilet paper, they eagerly awaited to throw their rolls onto the court once Pacifica Christian made their first three-point basket. With the idea originally from John Brown University, Pacifica Christian started this tradition back in 2018 and it has become a staple event in this community!
The evening started when the Girl's Basketball team took on Elsinore High School out of Wildomar in their second game, beating the Tigers 57 to 31. After coming off a thrilling one-point victory over Lakewood on Wednesday, the Tritons were ready to get back into action. Continuing on her hot streak, Junior Vivian Villagrana led the team with 22 points, four of those being three-pointers. She has been exciting to watch on the court, and her quick and smooth release from the arc has proved to be difficult for opponents to defend. Senior captain Caylie Villagrana controlled the game well last night, knocking down 15 points, four of those being threes.
The Orange and Navy improve to 2-0 on the season and begin to prepare to take on Trinity League school Santa Margarita in the 2nd Pacifica Christian Girls Basketball Showcase on Tuesday, November 26th at 4:00 pm in the Triton Event Center.
A season opener like no other school, Boys Basketball opened up their season taking on Edison High School. This was the third time these two teams have met, the Chargers having won both games previously. In the 2021-2022 season, the Chargers beat the Tritons in the CDM Beach Bash as well as in the CIF Quarterfinals, in a heartbreaking 57-54 loss for the Tritons. But this year Jeff Berokoff and his team rewrote the story, getting redemption, beating Edison 59-56. It was senior EJ Spillman who brought the rain into the Freed Center as on the first possession he dropped the three as the place was then showered with toilet paper.
After the technical was given and the toilet paper was swept off the court, play resumed, the Orange and Navy were down 29-27 to the Chargers at the half. In the third quarter, the momentum shifted towards the Tritons as they knocked down 20 points, compared to Edison's five, as the Chargers carelessly turned the ball over three times in a row and the Tritons continued to press and capitalize. Hudson Reynolds and Logan Stewart played a huge role in the third quarter as the two of them had 15 of the 20 points. The fourth quarter was close, as it appeared that Edison was inching their way back, but the Orange and Navy held them off just enough to win 59-56. EJ Spillman had 17 points and four assists, while Logan Stewart had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Hudson Reynolds had 11 points and seven rebounds. Junior Michael Noel had seven points and Owen Connell had six rebounds and five assists.
"Bring the Rain is one of the most unique high school basketball games in the country. It truly is a celebration of our school and our community's spirit. It's what high school basketball is all about!" said Head Coach Jeff Berokoff, who led the Tritons to their 150th program win last night, a huge milestone for Pacifica Christian Boys Basketball.
The Tritons will be in the Triton Event Center for the first time on Wednesday, November 27th as they host Tamanawhis High School out of British Columbia at 3:00 pm.
Full Livestream Game: Here (Toliet Paper Toss at 2 hours 16 min)