Matadors complete perfect league slate
- Updated: February 17, 2018
Santana's NICK BERHALTER goes to the basket against Mount Miguel on Friday night. / photo by Tammy Ryan - TRYAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Santana drives against Mount Miguel on Friday night. / photo by Tammy Ryan – TRYAN PHOTOGRAPHY
EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
By Adam Paul
EastCountySports.com
GROSSMONT VALLEY LEAGUE
MOUNT MIGUEL 69, SANTANA 49
SANTEE (2-16-18) – On the very last night of the regular season, both Mount Miguel and Santana were playing for playoff positioning as the Matadors were looking to secure the top seed in Division III while the Sultans looked to keep their spot at 10 in the Division III playoffs.
Like last time, the Matadors used their speed and athleticism against the Sultans as they opened up the contest on a run and would eventually work to a 15-2 run to lead 17-4 and 19-6 at the end of the first period.
The Sultans, however, were able to put things together and scored the first couple of baskets to open the second quarter to pull within 19-10. They would eventually roll to a 7-2 run to make it 21-13 and with over minutes remaining pull within 24-19. Santana inched even closer as they were able to make it a ball game at the half to only trail 31-28.
In the first half for the Matadors, Mikeece Dunbar scored 8 points as well as James Allen.
Santana passes against Mount Miguel on Friday. / photo by Tammy Ryan – TRYAN PHOTOGRAPHY
On the other side, helping the Sultans stay in the ballgame was TC Simmons as he knocked down 13 points as well as Andrew Hitchcock who scored 8 points.
However, despite the halftime score being close the Matadors took the intermission to make some adjustments and used those to break away in the third quarter.
Mount Miguel came out on fire to start the third quarter as they rolled a 12-0 streak to extend their lead to 42-28.
The Matadors would eventually lead 47-32.
Mount Miguel would outscore the Sultans 22-9 to lead 53-37 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the final period, the Matadors with a little over a minute remaining would enjoy their largest lead of the contest as they led 68-47.
Leading the Matadors in scoring was Allen who tallied 16 points. Also, Marquise Edwards had double digits with 14 points, Daron Traylor had 10 points and CJ Jackson also had 10 points.
For the Sultans TC Simmons led with 17 points and Brandon Simmons had 10 points.
With the win, the Matadors have now won 11 games in a row and will be the favorite to win it all in the San Diego Division III Playoffs.
Mount Miguel also with the victory finished with a perfect 10-0 in league and for the first time finished undefeated under head coach Jay Rowlett since he took over 12 years ago.
On a career coaching record level, the victory for the Matadors gives Rowlett his 209th of his career
