BOYS: Monarchs continue to dominate

By David Dickens
Updated: November 25, 2021

Isaiah Hilke, of Monte Vista, dunks against Crawford on Wednesday. / Dave Dickens

2021-22 EAST COUNTY PREP BASKETBALL

MONTE VISTA 74, CRAWFORD 47

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

SPRING VALLEY (11-24-2021) – Last season, full of a sports frenzy as all sports played at the same time, twice overlapping with football and baseball, as there were not any official SDS-CIF playoffs per se, as far as football players were concerned, this time caused most multi-letter athletes to play baseball and basketball, as most teams had key players for both sports, leaving little or no time to rest these few players per team.

It was quite impressive, however, to see, living through a pandemic, able to handle the classroom, and/or online schooling, along with little to no practice, depending on the day, and which sport, not to mention home or away.

The 2020-21 Monte Vista Monarchs took heed regarding the opportunity, but it appeared bleak.

At first, as the Monte Vista boys varsity basketball squad started the season 1-13, obtaining their first win in game No. 4 over the Mar Vista Mariners, 70-59, at home, but continued the skid, losing 10 more games before the Monarchs met up with the Santana Sultans, their second league foe played last year, and the magical season began following a 55-52 win at home.

Monte Vista last year did the unfathomable and went on a 10-1 win streak, finishing the miracle season 7-1 in the Grossmont Valley just ahead of a talented Mount Miguel squad that they split the two-game series with last year. The Monarchs became league champs, as they bought in.

Coach Mike Tully last season said, “Wait until we start league play, you will see how much they bought in and stayed focused.”

The Monarchs also finished their season, losing their first playoff game to the Madison Warhawks in a tough battle, losing 70-52. Still, a fantastic finish that no one but Coach Tully and his squad could foresee, but they did it.

Guess what folks? Most of that same team and some talented underclassmen are licking their chops and hungry for more.

Led by two of the most talented players that are extremely underrated – seniors, Brandon Tully and Isaiah Hilke – this team is solid from top to bottom.

They will press, play man, opposing coaches will have their work cut out for them trying to find the shooters as almost the entire squad can knock down shots.

Monte Vista came into the contest at 2-1 facing an inferior 1-2 Crawford team.

The Monarchs came out of the gate swinging and taking full control of the game outsourcing the Colts 22-2 at the end of the first quarter.

Crawford gained some momentum, as the Monarchs missed a few shots and assisted them with a few freebie free throws, but even with a few miscues, the Monarchs barely outscored the Colts, 32-29, but remained in control at the half, 54-31.

Low and behold, Brandon Tully led his team with 14 points in the first half of action and added four threes for good measure.

Tully would add yet another 14 points to his total, 12 of them from downtown.

The most peculiar part of the evening was the lack of offense and plenty of miscues in the third quarter as neither team would knock down a single shot.

Tulley hit all four of his downtown shots in the fourth quarter and his partner, Hilke, nailed a spectacular dunk to wow the crowd, not only the dunk but his 12 points, six rebounds, and three steals, as well.

The Colts battled in the fourth quarter as Coach Tully played some of his bench players in the 4th as the Monarchs outscored the Colts only 20-16, however, defeated the Colts easily, 74-47.

Mondo Risen also got in on the action this evening with 12 total points, 2 three-pointers, a rebound, and four assists.

This is the team in Division 3 you better be on the lookout for, folks, they are a freight train at full speed, and they are coming for you.

The Monarchs will be back at it on Monday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., after all that turkey, might have some room left over to chow down on the Golden Eagles from San Pasqual, who fly into town.

Should be a good one, folks, grab the kids, and the rest of the family and head over to Monte Vista High School.

STEELE CANYON 81, MAR VISTA 39 – The Cougars got off to a 21-9 first-quarter start against the winless Mariners (0-4) to improve 2-2.

Steele Canyon junior Javier Ildesa had a terrific game with 17 points and six rebounds.

Senior Aiden Carroll had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Senior Angel Raposa finished with 13 points for Steele Canyon.

Junior Alex Jenkins ended with 10 points, six assists, four rebounds, and three blocked shots.

Senior Arthur Simpson contributed eight points, six rebounds, and four assists.

Junior Keanu Pettiford added five points for SCHS.

SC takes on Victory Christian (1-2) on Saturday.

UNIVERSITY CITY 58, EL CAPITAN 51 – Senior Trevor Mokelstad scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Vaqueros.

Junior Micha Odell added 17 points and nine rebounds for El Capitan, which led 18-10 after one quarter.

Sophomore Jake Archer connected on a three-pointer.