All records and past performances must be thrown out when crosstown rivals meet.

But what was once a twice-yearly affair between the crosstown Woodland and Pioneer High School basketball teams can now only be enjoyed once, as the Patriots have moved on to the Monticello Empire League.

So, as an early Christmas treat, both teams met for the first and only time this season in the finale of the Yolo Scramble, a round-robin mini-tournament featuring other local schools, including Winters and Woodland Christian, with Pioneer (4-6) pulling out a tight 62-54 victory over the Wolves (2-6).

“I thought we played a decent half,” Patriots head coach Barry Reese said. “We didn’t necessarily play a full game as we are still feeling our way around a lot of different ways. I knew the game would likely be rough tonight, especially since it’s the only time we’ll play Woodland this year, but you are always happy with a win.”

Pioneer came into the matchup on an emotional rollercoaster following a 68-82 loss to Woodland Christian the night before but a big 67-53 win over Winters in the Yolo Scramble opener on Wednesday. Following three straight losses to Colfax, Del Campo, and Mira Loma to kick off the year, the Patriots bounced back to defeat Colusa and Oroville in a tournament late last week.

Woodland came into the matchup having lost their previous five games after starting the season 2-0. Earlier in the week, Woodland struggled through losses against Mira Loma and then Woodland Christian and Winters in their first two games of the Yolo Scramble earlier in the week.Pioneer held a 10-point lead with about 5 minutes left in the game after going on a mini-run to pull ahead after an even first three quarters.

With about three minutes left, the Wolves cut the lead to 9 points. Center Lincoln Twilley then made a nice move inside to get free and lay it up to make it 55-48. Pioneer senior Nate Blacksmith wanted nothing to do with the Wolves’ comeback and drained a 3 to extend the lead back up to 10. Junior Emiliano Romero then made a basket of his own to extend the lead to 12.

Woodland returned to Twilley and was rewarded with a bucket to cut it to 10 points with about two and a half minutes to play. The Patriots went right back to Romero as he made a tough basket inside to get it back to 12.

With about one minute left, the Wolves’ Joseph Quezada made two free throws, leading the Patriots to call a time-out. Pioneer would miss their next basket, leading to an offensive rebound and another Twilley score to cut the lead to eight, but by then, there was little to no time left.

Both teams traded off a few more possessions until the Patriots were able to dribble out the clock and get away with the win.

Up next for the Wolves will be a Tuesday night road game against Wheatland, followed by a Wednesday night road game against River City. After that, they will play a Saturday game at Fortune Early College before a week off. Their next home game will be Friday, Dec. 27 against Rosemont. They will begin Golden Empire League play on Jan. 7 at home against Dixon.

Pioneer will play back-to-back road games against Rio Linda and Yuba City this upcoming Tuesday and Thursday. They will start Monticello Empire League play on Jan. 3 at Vanden. Their next home game will be on Jan. 10 against Rodriguez.

“I want us to totally get better and slowly improve,” Reese said. “Most of our team has not been at this level besides our two seniors. What you can do at the lower levels, you aren’t often able to do at the varsity level, so I want us to get a bit better after each game.”