The Merced Bears hosted the Immanuel Eagles on December 9th, 2025, in a preseason matchup that had both teams anxious to build on their early records. The Bears were looking to improve to 4-2 while the Eagles were aiming to get back on track after their previous loss to Lemoore High. The matchup promised to be a challenging game as both teams attempted to find their midseason form.
The game started off tight, with both teams trading baskets and keeping the score close in the first quarter. However, as the game went on, the Bears became the team with the clear advantage. Merced’s Diego Aguilar helped spark the Bears early by sinking a three-pointer in the first quarter, giving Merced some rhythm. Jordan Thomas also contributed steadily, scoring multiple field goals in the second quarter that helped Merced pull away. By halftime, Merced had built a more comfortable lead, holding a 40-17 advantage. Meanwhile, Immanuel’s Brock Beshwate kept their offense going as best as he could, managing two three-pointers in the first half. Despite Immanuel’s efforts, Merced’s offense was unable to be curtailed.
In the second half, Merced kept their strong pace, building on their lead with consistent scoring. Jordan Thomas continued to score at will, adding multiple baskets to keep the Bears ahead. Immanuel’s shooter, Beshwate, tried to keep the Eagles in it with more shots from beyond the arch, but the Merced defense stayed strong on the boards, and limited the Eagles’ scoring opportunities. The Bears maintained control throughout the third quarter, leading 59-35 as the teams headed into the final period. In the fourth quarter, Nicholas Adams scored an impactful basket, helping the Bears maintain control as the game concluded. Merced controlled the game with effective teamwork and strategic plays, securing a 71-40 win and improving to a favorable 4-2 record.
After the win, senior Nicholas Adams reflected on the team’s approach and what he felt defined their performance. He said their mindset from the start was simple: “We’re gonna beat them […], we get the job done.” Adams also noted that despite the final score, the Bears still have areas to improve. “Our defense is a little bit like our weakness, but we still got that too,” he said. His comments showed an understanding that even in a comfortable win, there’s still work to do.
Immanuel Team Captain Brock Beshwate reflected on his team’s approach, noting that they entered the matchup determined to stay aggressive when facing the Bears. “We kind of wanted to come out and just attack,” he said, explaining that the Eagles’ focus was simply to compete and put themselves in a position to win. Beshwate also pointed out areas they hope to tighten up moving forward, saying his team “could shoot the ball really well,” but emphasized that their rebounding needs improvement. Looking ahead, he believes the Eagles can benefit from adjusting their mindset, adding that they need to “change [their] mentality and the way [they] come out” in future games.
With the win, Merced improves to a 4–2 record on the season and continues to build confidence heading into their next matchup against Grace Davis High. Immanuel moves to 5–5 and will look to bounce back as they prepare to take on Porterville. Both teams demonstrated strong plays throughout the night, but Merced’s offensive consistency helped them clinch an overwhelming 71–40 victory at home.
- Photos by Grace Gallegos ↩︎
