Helix looking for its usual tourney title
- Updated: December 20, 2018
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
NATIONAL CITY – The Helix Highlanders are making another December run at a tournament title.
While the Highlanders might’ve been mired in another one of their slow pre-league starts, the team has several times in the past picked up a preseason tournament title that usually puts Helix on a roll into January.
On Wednesday night, the Scotties came from behind in the fourth quarter and defeated Bonita Vista, 61-53 at the 2018 NC Host Lions Club/Frank Pekarek Classic at Sweetwater High School.
Helix trailed by four in the third quarter and 40-38 through three after the Barons outscored the Highlanders, 18-7, in the period to erase a 31-22 halftime lead.
Junior MAURICE HOLMES had 21 points, while fellow junior SAMMY STEWART continued to impress with 19 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, as the Highlanders outscored the Barons, 23-13.
Holmes had a three-pointer in the fourth quarter, as well.
Helix improved to 6-5.
Junior guard JADYN JAMES was 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter and had a three-pointer in the second quarter.
Senior guard MARCOS IDIOMA had a first period three for the Scotties and sophomore KAI JESSIE had a pair of fourth-quarter buckets.
Holmes, Stewart and Jessie came up big in the final minutes
Helix is one of three undefeated teams at the 12-team tournament at 3-0, joining Morse and Point Loma. The Barons (5-6) are 0-4 at the event.
Helix is playing its entire schedule on the road in 2018-19 as the school’s famous gym undergoes refurbishing.
The Highlanders face South Granville, of Creedmore, N.C., on Thursday at 8 p.m. in their pool play finale.
Helix will meet San Pasqual and Morse in the Southern California Holiday Prep Classic next week.
The Highlanders play at Monte Vista on Jan. 4 and tip off Grossmont Hills League play Jan. 8 at Grossmont.
