Avalos gives Valhalla bizarre buzzer win
- Updated: May 20, 2021
2021 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
LA MESA – The Valhalla Norsemen made one field goal in the second half on Wednesday – a three-pointer by star Joe Avalos as time expired in the fourth quarter – to win the most important game of their season thus far, defeating the Grossmont Foothillers, 41-38.
— Norsemen Basketball (@Norsemenhoops) May 20, 2021
Both teams were in a defensive mood coming into the big Grossmont Hills League game.
Both teams were going to do what it took to try to get that all-important fourth league victory in one of the tightest races ever.
Somehow, Valhalla was able to make their defensive effort work and all of a sudden look like one of just two teams left standing.
Avalos is the conference’s top shooter but nothing fell for the Norsemen in the second half.
And we mean, nothing. Nada. Zero. Zilch. At least from the field, anyway.
Junior Alden Elliasen scored 18 points – all coming in the first half – while Avalos finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.
Elliasen had a pair of threes in the first quarter, while Avalos had eight points in the first half, including a pair of treys.
Valhalla led 17-10 after the first quarter and 28-18 at halftime.
Grossmont outscored Valhalla 11-2 in the third quarter to get back in the game.
Avalos finished the night 10-for-11 from the foul line (including 8-for-9 in the fourth quarter) and the Norsemen were 16-of-17 from the stripe.
Calvert Esho had a team-high 10 rebounds for Valhalla.
The Norsemen took their record to 4-2 in league with a win over the Grossmont Foothillers (3-4 GHL).
“We had a hard time scoring,” Grossmont head coach Jacob Ober said. “Their zone defense was very effective against us.”
River Elliott made a pair of three-pointers for Grossmont (12-8), including one in the fourth quarter.
Aaron Velasco also made a three in the fourth for the Foothillers.
Sergio Franso made a three-pointer in the third quarter for Grossmont.
The next contest for Valhalla (13-4) is on Friday at Granite Hills (4-2 GHL) in another big matchup to determine the champion. The two old rivals appear to be the teams that could be the last teams standing for the championship.
