West Valley-Palma boys hoops

State Northern California Division IV Tournament
Wednesday's game
No. 16 West Valley, Cottonwood (18-11) at No. 1 Palma (22-4), 7 p.m.
 We know the road back to the state championship will go through Palma as the defending Northern California champions have home court advantage throughout the tournament.
 The Chieftains are 11-0 at home this year and have rattled off 22 straight wins dating back to 2015. All 11 wins this winter at home have been by 12 or more points.
 Like last season, the Chieftains come into the tournament having dropped two games in the Central Coast Section Open Division Tournament.
 West Valley has relied heavily this winter on 6-foot-6 Pim Lewis, who is averaging 17 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game.
 All-league post Cameron Jones will likely draw the assignment of containing Lewis. Jones has been regarded as a defensive demon for the Chieftains.
 Two-time Gabilan Division Most Valuable Player Jamaree Bouyea has lived up to the hype this year for Palma, leading the team in points, assists and steals.
 Help has surfaced in shooting guard Nikhil Manimaram, who has evolved into one of the top 3-point shooters in the section.