Top-ranked Knights fall in Battlezone
- Updated: November 27, 2017
Foothills Christian (white) on offense Monday night against Los Altos.
2017 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
CORONA – Junior forward DERRICK CARTER-HOLLINGER scored 35 points, but the Foothills Christian Knights, the top-ranked team in San Diego starting the season, fell to Los Altos at the Battlezone tournament at Centennial High Monday afternoon.
Carter-Hollinger came out scorching hot with 17 points in the first quarter as FCHS led 23-19.
The Knights extended the lead to 46-35 by halftime as Carter-Hollinger finished the first half with 22 points, while new Knight TAESHON CHERRY, a USC commit who transferred to Foothills just three weeks ago, had nine points at intermission.
The Knights, also ranked 18th in the state, would eventually extend the lead to 16 points.
“We didn’t play to the best of our abilities and that’s just crazy,” said Carter-Hollinger, who grabbed 16 rebounds in the contest. “Just wait until we bring all of our talent together, we’re going to be a scary site. It’s time to learn from our loss and come back ready to beat any team in our way.”
Foothills Christian still led by five points with 2:35 left in the third period, but Los Altos star guards Jarod Lucas and Julian Lopez already were heating up.
The duo finished with a combined 52 points.
Los Altos took a 64-63 lead into the fourth quarter.
Cherry drew his fifth foul with 5:35 left in the fourth quarter which sent him to the bench for the remainder and Los Altos taking a one-point lead.
The Conquerors led 75-71 with 2:42 left, then were still clinging to a 77-75 lead in the final seconds. A pair of free throws with four seconds left provided the final margin.
Foothills Christian plays again Wednesday against Rancho Christian at the BattleZone Tournament.
MOUNT MIGUEL 86, CHULA VISTA 32 – The Matadors steamrolled to a season-opening win over the visiting Spartans in a Matador Classic tilt.
MARQUIS NEAL, a sure three-point threat this season, had 19 points for Mount Miguel, while teammate MARQUIS EDWARDS had 17 points.
To be included in the report: TEXT SCORES, STATS, HIGHLIGHTS, VIDS and PICS, including pictures of your scorebook, to 619-300-9868 or email: ramon@eastcountysports.com
