RedHawks red-hot in season opener

By Ramon Scott
Updated: November 20, 2021

Mountain Empire senior Nakai Lindholm against Borrego Springs. / Dave Dickens

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON (11-19-2021) — It was not the ideal situation to open the season as far as the temporary home location would be until January of 2022, but the end result was a phenomenal start to the season, especially in the win-loss column, as a winless, short season the previous year for the Moutain Empire RedHawks was put behind them.

Early on, in the first quarter of play, the dynamic duo, Alvero Martinez would grab a steal and then assist to Albin Acevedo, who would initiate the first two points for the hosts.

With 3:19 left in the first quarter, the RedHawks had already hung 10 points on the visitors in a 10-0 shut out over the visiting Borrego Springs Rams already.

Acevedo was on a tear, particularly in the first half, hitting six buckets for 12 points, Nakai Lindholm added a steal and a bucket, along with Martinez for a couple, with more than a comfortable lead over the visiting Rams, 35-1, with 4:53 left in the second quarter.

The Borrego Springs Rams put up five more points, due to a couple of fouls and ball mishandling.

With 2:19 left in the third quarter, Jesus Ibarra hit the three from downtown to put the Red Hawks up 39-7.

For the final quarter, the hosts were clearly gonna take this one home for a more than a happy squad, leading 44-8.

The RedHawks would enjoy winning their first game of the season, as they won the fourth quarter quite easily, 9-4, and with a final score of 53-12, Mountain Empire, in their temporary home gymnasium at Greenfield Middle School in El Cajon.

Acevedo ended up as the player of the game with 19 points, including a three-pointer, with 2-for-2 from the free-throw line and eight field goals.

(Please see the post-game interview with Albin Acevedo at the conclusion of the highlights).

Lindholm added 10 points, including a three-pointer, 3-for-4 at the free-throw line, and three field goals, while Martinez had eight points, including two three-pointers, and three field goals.