ROUNDUP: Knights, Matadors, Scots win
- Updated: December 28, 2018
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
TIERRASANTA – While the Helix High boys basketball team has had a tough time just finding a quiet gym to practice in, the Highlanders have felt comfortable over the last two days at Serra High.
The Highlanders won their second-straight game on Thursday, knocking off visiting Modesto, 58-36, in the Boys Division of the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic.
Head coach JOHN SINGER said on Wednesday following a tournament opening victory that his staff’s instruction comes as much in games as it does at the team’s makeshift training facility, which the team often shares while the Helix High gym undergoes renovations this season.
The Highlanders came out ready to play against Modesto, as the defense limited their opponent to just two first-quarter points in taking a 17-2 lead after one period.
“(We) played a great first quarter to start (the) game,” Singer said.
Helix led 35-17 at halftime.
Junior MAURICE HOLMES scored 18 points for the Highlanders, who improved to 8-6
Junior guard JAYDN JAMES had 12 points for Helix.
Junior JAHARI HILL had nine points for the Scotties, while sophomore KAI JESSIE added eight points.
Helix will meet Valhalla on Friday to try and improve to 3-0 at the event. The Highlanders are one of four teams with no losses in the 10-team pool.
MOUNT MIGUEL 47, SAN DIEGUITO ACADEMY 46 – The Mount Miguel Matadors knew they would need a strong contribution from senior LAWRENCE GRAY this season.
And when Mount Miguel’s top playmakers have found difficulty, Gray has provided the support.
The 6-foot-4 Gray has more than stepped up this season, and did so again on Thursday night, scoring eight of his 13 points in the second quarter as the Matadors survived in a Montgomery Aztec Tournament win.
Matador senior MIKEECE DUNBAR made four free throws in the fourth quarter to finish with a team-high 14 points.
Mount Miguel has been known over the last couple of years for having one of the county’s top scoring teams, but this one got defensive early.
The Matadors erased an 11-10 deficit after one quarter and led 22-17 at halftime. They extended the lead to eight points after three quarters.
Senior MARQUISE EDWARDS had seven of his 11 points in the second half, as the Matadors held off the late threat by the Mustangs.
Six-foot-3 senior WAL NHAIL added seven points for Mount Miguel.
FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 83, SHELDON 74 – The Knights moved into the semifinals of the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic after they defeated Sheldon, of Sacramento.
The second-ranked Knights could move into the top spot in the local rankings next week after St. Augustine lost in their contest to Shadow Mountain (Ariz.) following Foothills’ win.
The Knights will face the visitors from Arizona in Friday’s semi at 8:35 at Torrey Pines High.
Junior guard YASSINE GHARRAM had 26 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for the FCHS
Knights senior guard JAREN NAFARRETE scored 25 points.
Senior D.J. CARTER-HOLLINGER added 19 points for FCHS.
The Knights led 63-55 after three quarters.
Foothills Christian led 47-39 at halftime.
FHCS led 22-20 after one quarter.
INGRAHAM 75, CHRISTIAN 42 – The Patriots dropped a decision to the 25th-ranked team from Washington, which got off to a blazing start.
The Rams led 21-5 after one quarter, although the Patriots battled back to trail 34-27 at intermission.
However, Ingraham pulled away in the third quarter to lead 60-38 with eight minutes to play.
LINCOLN 53, MONTE VISTA 22 – The Hornets led 25-18 at halftime of the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic game. Monte Vista is 0-2 in the boys’ 10-team event.
LIBERTY CHARTER 51, HOLTVILLE 45 – At the Braves Winter Tournament, the Lions fell to the Hornets despite 12 points from LCHS sophomore TYLER SNELL and 10 points from senior teammate ALEX FERRER.
Liberty Charter is now 6-5.
O’FARRELL 64, EL CAJON VALLEY 51 – At the Braves Winter Tournament, O’Farrell stopped the Braves, who fell to 7-6.
CHAPARRAL 81, GROSSMONT 66 – The Foothillers fell to 3-5 after being upset by the visiting Pumas of Temecula.
