Larsen almost rescues lumbering Patriots in opener
- Updated: November 15, 2018
2018-19 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
EL CAJON – The Sweetwater Red Devils notched the short-handed Christian High Patriots, 63-61, in the season opener for both teams at the Montgomery Tip-Off Classic.
The teams come into the season both ranked in the county’s top 25 teams, according to the preseason media poll.
Senior JACKSON LARSEN hit a three-pointer with 11 seconds to go to tie the game at 61-all, but the Red Devils hit a 15-foot field goal with four seconds left for the final margin.
A shot at the buzzer by Christian nearly fell but rolled around the rim.
Larsen, a Northern Arizona University-commit, had 31 points, 10 rebounds and five steals to lead the Patriots.
A putback by former Mount Miguel Matador CJ Jackson gave the Red Devils a 59-58 lead with 37 seconds remaining just moments after Larsen converted a basket and a foul shot for the lead.
Christian warms up on Wednesday. / Full-time Hoops
Jackson had 17 points and 25 rebounds.
Christian freshman guard VINNY SIGNORELLI knocked down a three-pointer to give the Patriots a 55-52 lead with 3:15 remaining but the score was tied 55-all with two minutes remaining completing a 6-3 push by Sweetwater.
The game was tied 43-all after three quarters.
Larsen had a dunk to give Christian a 35-34 lead in the third quarter, then extended the margin to 41-37 with 2:23 left in the period.
Christian led 29-26 at halftime as the Patriots came back from a big early deficit with four three-pointers and by holding the Red Devils to just seven second-quarter points.
Signorelli knocked down two of the triples and a three by Larsen closed a Sweetwater lead to 25-23 with 1:47 to go before intermission.
The Patriots had back-to-back threes in the second quarter and opened the second quarter on a 9-0 run to eventually tie the game at 22-all after Sweetwater led 19-4 after one period.
The Red Devils scored seven of the game’s first nine points in the first 4:35.
SAN DIEGO ACADEMY 51, EL CAJON VALLEY 40 – The Braves dropped their opener on Tuesday (Nov. 13) at home.
