Irvin’s 24 points lead Vaqueros over Knights

By ECS Staff
Updated: December 12, 2015

2015-16 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (12-12-15) — Not known for its high-scoring offense, El Capitan received a surprise lift from DONALD IRVIN, who rang up a team best 24 points, the majority coming on six 3-pointers as the Vaqueros (3-2) dusted The Bishop’s School 53-42 in the Game on Challenge semifinals at Cuyamaca College.

KADE KYGAR pitched in 14 points –including a pair of 3s – for El Capitan and grabbed 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

“We have some guys who are equivalent to offensive linemen on a football field,” said Vaqueros coach FRANK QUINONES.

“Irvin has been in a slump the last couple games but we told him to keep on shooting,” Quinones added. “He kept putting the ball up and came out with a breakout night. Those are things you don’t expect but are pleased when they happen. We’re looking for consistency from him.”

Quinones heaped accolades on DEVIN DULAY and DANNY ESTRADA.

“These guys are not the flashy type but they get the job done,” the Vaqueros’ skipper said. “They’re like offensive linemen in football – they’re not appreciated for the good job they do. They’re unheralded.”

El Capitan: Donald Irvin 24 (6 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl), Kade Kygar 14 (5 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk), Devin Dulay 9 (4 reb, 2 ast, 4 stl), Dominic Iudiciani 4 (5 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl), Colton Sandoval 2 (2 reb), Danny Estrada (3 reb, 1 ast, 3 stl), Zac Quintero (1 reb, 2 stl).

CHRISTIAN 72, EC-SOUTHWEST 58 – The Christian Patriots turned their offense loose in Friday’s (Dec. 11) Imperial Tiger Classic and sprinted their way to victory over host El Central Southwest.

Steady-handed TRAVIS BALLARD banged in 24 points, snagged 16 rebounds and blocked 4 shots as the Patriots improved to 7-2.

Christian broke the game open in the third quarter with a 27-13 spread.

Four Patriots reached double scoring digits. Ballard was 8-for-11 from the free throw line and LAYNE LARSEN pitched in 16 points.

DAVID TODD JEREMIAH tossed in 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, while DOMINIC SAFARTA and Larsen hit four 3-pointers apiece for Christian, which led the majority of the game.

Christian: Travis Ballard 24 (16 reb, 1 stl, 4 blk), Layne Larsen 16 (2 reb), David Todd Jeremiah 12 (8 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl), Dominic Safarta 12 (2 reb, 6 ast), Kyle Stowers 5 (4 reb, 3 ast), Jacob Sandusky 2 (1 reb), Joe Vrzich 1 (2 reb, 1 stl), Garrett Nielsen (1 reb), Dominic Bristol (2 reb, 1 ast), Daniel Guerrero (1 reb).

LA JOLLA 61, MONTE VISTA 58 – Monte Vista coach MIKE TULLY credited his Monarchs for “doing everything right but winning” in Friday’s (Dec. 11) third place game in the Hilltop Tournament won by La Jolla.

BO RANKINS posted game highs of 17 points and 13 rebounds for Monte Vista (2-3).

DEONDE McHAYLE also rolled up a double-double for the Monarchs with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

TRE OWENS pitched in 12 points for the Monarchs.

“These are the kind of games I like to be associated with,” said Tully. “I’m talking about quality competition and hard-nosed play. Our kids did basically everything right except win the game.”

Monte Vista: Bo Rankins 17 (13 reb, 2 ast, 3 blk, 1 stl), Deondre McHayle 12 (10 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl), Tre Owens 12 (4 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl), Shai Stevenson 8 (7 reb, 4 ast, 1 blk, 3 stl), Terry Bone 7 (4 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl), Adrian Bass 2 (2 reb, 1 ast).

VALHALLA 71, HOLTVILLE 18 – Due to the lopsided nature of the game, coach KEITH JACKSON kept the majority of his starters on the bench all night in Friday’s (Dec. 11) Baron/Matador Classic semifinal rout of visiting Holtville.

As it was, nine Norsemen contributed to the scoring column, led by DANIEL BENDER’s 13 markers. Bender nailed 6 of 8 shots from the field.

As a team Valhalla connected on 29 of 36 (.81 percent) shots from the floor including four 3-pointers – 3 of which were delivered by IVAN HABIB. Habib had 11 points and 6 steals for the Norsemen.

MALIQUE SHAW was 6-for-6 from the floor for 12 points and executed a double-double with 10 rebounds.

CHRISTIAN WHITE was 5-for-5 for 10 points and 5 rebounds.

Making his first start of the year, football player JORDAN ELLIS was 5-for-6 for 10 points and logged a team best 7 assists.

“Our regular starters – COLE HENDERSON, NATHAN YOUSIF and JOHN MURAD – did not play, allowing the rest of the team more playing time,” said Valhalla assistant coach DON ROLLINS. “Jordan Ellis, in his first game back from injury, did a good job of distributing the ball.”

Valhalla will play Ramona for the Baron-Matador Classic championship at Bonita Vista at 4 p.m.

Valhalla: Daniel Bender 13 (5 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl), Malique Shaw 12 (10 reb, 1 ast), Ivan Habib 11 (6 reb, 2 ast, 6 stl), Jordan Ellis 10 (3 reb, 7 ast, 2 stl), Christian White 10 (5 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl), Chris Attiq 5 (5 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl), Trey Schimke 4 (5 reb, 3 ast), Kai Komaki 4 (7 reb, 1 ast, 3 stl), Ty Schimke 2 (2 ast, 1 stl).