Monarchs, Braves, Hillers, Knights win
- Updated: December 17, 2018
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
LAKESIDE – The Monte Vista Monarchs earned one of the biggest upsets so far in the East County basketball season, and did it in impressive fashion in a 77-35 win over Victory Christian Academy on Saturday in the Grossmont Winter Tournament.
The Monarchs looked strong against the Knights, with five players finishing in double figures.
“Good team effort,” Monte Vista coach MIKE TULLY said. “We played pretty hard on defense and are improving. (We’re) very balanced. Hopefully, we continue to grow as a team.”
The Knights are currently the No. 1-ranked team in the Division 4 power rankings and 20th overall in the county-wide power rankings.
Monte Vista improved to 6-4 on the season.
EL CAJON VALLEY 54, PACIFIC RIDGE 45 – The Braves improved to 5-3 on the season by stomping on the Firebirds in overtime in a Grossmont Winter Classic game at Grossmont High School.
The Braves outscored the Pacific Ridge, 12-3, in the extra session.
The Braves got off to a strong start with a 19-4 lead after the first period.
El Cajon Valley still maintained the lead, 28-15, at halftime.
Pacific Ridge, however, trailed just 35-33 heading into the fourth quarter.
GROSSMONT 66, OCEANSIDE 59 – The Foothillers defeated the Pirates in the tournament game at home to improve to 7-3.
Grossmont is now on a four-game winning streak and will host Granite Hills on Monday.
FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 73, PATRICK HENRY 35 – The Knights did it with defense against the Patriots in a Grossmont Tournament game.
Foothills busted out to a 26-9 lead after one quarter. The Knights led 44-18 at halftime.
Seniors JAREN
Junior YASSINE GHARRAM had three three-pointers on his way to 14 first-half points for the Knights.
CLAIREMONT 60, EL CAPITAN 59 – The Chieftains edged the Vaqueros in a Grossmont Winter Classic game at El Capitan.
El Capitan fell to 4-5.
OLYMPIAN 56, MOUNT MIGUEL 54 – The Eagles edged the Matadors in a Grossmont Winter Tournament game at Olympian High on a three-point buzzer-beater by Eldon Baptist.
The Matadors got off to a strong start, building a 13-4 lead after one quarter.
The Matadors still held a nine-point lead at halftime, but the Eagles led 38-37 at the end of three periods.
Both teams are situated near the bottom of the top 20 in the county’s power rankings.
Baptist paced the Eagles with 19 points.
TEMECULA VALLEY 82, CHRISTIAN 75 – Senior JACKSON LARSEN scored 32 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, but Temecula Valley defeated the Patriots.
Christian High led 20-16 after one quarter, but the Golden Bears would eventually lead by as many as 11 in a game that still featured five ties and seven lead changes.
“We just had certain points where our defense breaks down on the help side and they got layups,” Larsen said. “(Temecula Valley) played well as a team and didn’t make many mistakes and that’s why they won tonight.”
VINNY SIGNORELLI added 16 points for the Patriots. He made four three-pointers.
“I’m taking advantage of my opportunities,” Signorelli said. “I’m very fortunate that I have a team and coaching staff that believe in me.
“I have worked very hard to create opportunities for myself. Overcoming size with a higher shot and quicker release. We addressed this concern last summer by completely changing my shot motion and footwork with the help of my shooting coach – Jason Perkins from Hoopology.”
MILES WILLIAMS contributed 12 points and had seven assists for CHS.
“Our point guard Miles Williams did a great job getting me the ball,” Signorelli said. “He’s a vital part to our team.”
DESEAN LYNCH checked in with nine points for the Pats.
HOOVER 61, VALHALLA 54 – Valhalla entered the weekend having climbed all the way up to No. 10 in the county’s overall power rankings, but the Norsemen lost their second-straight game, this time to the Cardinals in a major upset at the Grossmont Winter Tournament game at Olympian High.
The Cards were ranked 95th in the recent rankings.
SAGE CREEK 62, SANTANA 37 – ZACH MILLER scored 15 points, while teammate DESMOND WILLIAMS added 10 points for the Sultans (2-7).
SCRIPPS RANCH 60, STEELE CANYON 47 – In a Grossmont Tournament game at Olympian High, the Falcons defeated the Cougars.
