Matadors take round one in Valley race
- Updated: January 24, 2018
Monte VIsta and Mount Miguel battle for a rebound Tuesday night. / EastCountySports.com photo
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
Monte Vista’s DEONDRE MCHAYLE drives to the rim on Tuesday night. / EastCountySports photo
By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com
SPRING VALLEY – The Monte Vista Monarchs gave a championship challenge to Grossmont Hills League favorite Mount Miguel in the first half Tuesday night, but the Matadors put out the Monarchs’ fire in the second half en route to a 69-46 home victory.
The first half was terrific, as the Matadors led 34-29 at halftime.
Matador junior MARQUISE EDWARDS connected on a three-point field goal just a minute-and-a-half into the game, as Mount Miguel quickly erased a 4-0 Monte Vista lead to start and made it 8-4.
The Monarchs quickly tied the game moments later, 8-all.
Mount Miguel’s MARQUIS NEAL calmly sank a three-pointer as the Matadors again staked their early claim of the lead.
The shot helped Mount Miguel get out to an early 17-10 lead, but the Monarchs went on an 8-2 run to get right back in it.
Monte Vista junior forward DEMARCUS MCKAN did a nice job following his own shot for a cutback bucket, cutting into the lead.
Mount Miguel led 41-33 just a little more than halfway into the third quarter, but the Matadors extended the lead to 50-36 after three, as the Monarchs were outscored, 19-7, in the period.
Mount Miguel’s MARQUIS NEAL drives against Monte Vista’s TOMMY GALLEGOS. / EastCountySports.com photo
“We got away from what was working,” Mount Miguel coach MIKE TULLY said. “Mount Miguel’s press was effective.”
DEONDRE MCHAYLE led Monte Vista with 10 points.
Now, Mount Miguel (18-4, 3-0 GVL) is all set to host the other main league challenger in upstart Santana (14-8, 2-0 GVL) on Friday night at The Matadome at 7 p.m.
Monte Vista (14-7, 1-1 GVL), looking to remain in serious contention for the league title, will host El Capitan (7-11, 0-2 GVL) on Friday, also at 7.
