Safarta fires up first-place Norsemen

By Ramon Scott
Updated: January 19, 2019

EastCountySports.com staff report

VALHALLA 72, SANTANA 51

EastCountySports.com staff report

SANTEE – Valhalla High senior DOMANIC SAFARTA didn’t need any extra motivation.

But he found it, facing an excited home crowd of Santana Sultans on Friday night.

Safarta hit on three three-point attempts in the first quarter en route to a season-high 32 points, helping Valhalla re-gain sole possession of first place in the Grossmont Valley League with a 72-51 over the host Sultans.

The Norsemen improved to 18-3 overall and 3-1 in the GVL. Before tonight, the heavy league favorites were in a four-way tie in during the first round of the circuit.

“I was hyped for the game but we just had to come out and play with a chip on our shoulder,” said Safarta, who also handed out nine assists. “I was feeling it early and they kept leaving the key wide open, so I was attacking the rim consistently.”

Senior JORDAN GAINES added 15 points and had three steals and Jordan freshman MARCEL KALASHO had 10 points off the bench for Valhalla (3-0 GVL, 18-3 overall.

The Norsemen took over midway through the second quarter and led by 10 at halftime.

Sophomore ALDEN RASMUSSON scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds for Santana (8-14 overall, 2-2 GVL).

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