Vaqueros, Matadors drop Saturday tilts
- Updated: December 8, 2019
2019 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
SANTEE – The El Capitan Vaqueros dropped a 61-47 decision to the Serra Conquistadors in a Jeff Armstrong Memorial Tournament game on Saturday.
Senior Jake Pfitzner had 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal for the Vaqueros.
Vaquero Blaize Saiz added 11 points, four rebounds, and an assist.
El Capitan cut the deficit to five points twice – once in the second quarter and once in the third quarter.
“We couldn’t get over the hump,” El Capitan head coach Elias Totah said. “We know we can compete with a group like Serra. We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well. The positives were that we held (Alex) Bell to 21 points. He just had a 43-point showing against West Hills. We locked in on their best player.”
A slow start may have been the determining factor for El Capitan. Serra led 15-7 after the first quarter.
“Serra played at an incredible pace,” Totah said. “We couldn’t get stops in crucial situations. Rebounding and critical errors and turnovers cost us in this one. We did a great job of keying on their best player, who is one of the most relentless guards I have seen.”
El Capitan shot just 37 percent from the field.
Jaqori Harris, a senior, had nine rebounds and a pair of steals for the Vaqueros.
“The offensive and defensive glass will be a focal point for us from here on out,” Totah said. “Keying on it in practices and making it translate to the game.”
The Vaqueros fell to 3-3 but may feel like this one was one they could’ve had despite the final margin.
“Another quality opponent we played and we had them on the ropes,” Totah said. “We need to be more relentless ourselves, but I thought our guys gave it a good effort, which we will have no problem with moving forward.”
El Capitan will host Lincoln on Monday at 7:30.
MORSE 68, MOUNT MIGUEL 34 – Mount Miguel dropped its season opener to Morse on Saturday night.
The Matadors will face Escondido on the road next Wednesday at 7.
HELIX vs. CANYON CREST – No report.
