RedHawks sweep Rams for third win

2021-22 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 64, BORREGO SPRINGS 10

 

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

 

BORREGO SPRINGS (12-3-2021) — According to Mountain Empire head coach Bernard Vann, who was not the boys’ basketball coach last year, the 0-9 season, mostly just due in part to younger and more inexperienced kids, sounds like the football team the year before, to a certain degree. Three of the key football players are also key components to the success the RedHawks have found this season. 

 

Similar to the San Diego State Aztecs, Mountain Empire remains on the road until Jan. 2022, or possibly longer, depending on the new gymnasium floor in Pine Valley.

 

Interestingly enough, the RedHawks, have won two out of three times at their temporary home at the Greenfield Middle School gymnasium. Let me tell you, folks, if anyone is ever in need of a pretty spectacular gym, for being a middle school, check with the great administration that was kind enough to do this for Mountain Empire girls and boys basketball.

 

This win for the RedHawks would be their first road win out of two they have played, as one ended up as a loss to the Rock Academy.

 

That game however is ancient history, as the RedHawks really took care of the Rams this time, but on the Ram home court.

 

The RedHawk defense allowed fewer points to be scored, with their ever-improving defense, and the offense even added 11 more points than the first game of the season, as you can clearly see, this Mountain Empire squad is really starting to gel.

 

Talk about coming out and making a statement, the RedHawks scored 23 points to an anemic six from the hosts.

 

It just continued to be a dominant take over on both sides of the ball, almost indefinitely, the defense clamped down, and the offense continued to drop shots, great communication, just all-around dominating the Rams.

 

In completing the first half of play and winning the second quarter, 19-0, pitching a shut out, the RedHawks led Borrego Springs at a comfortable 42-6 at the half.

 

Corey Vann having his best night in just a half shooting had four three-pointers, and a bucket to lead Mountain Empire in scoring with 14 points total at the half.

 

The third quarter really didn’t slow much on behalf of the Ram defense, as the RedHawks again dominated, now again, winning the third quarter, 14-10, but playing the bench as well. Nakai Lindholm led in scoring, with three buckets, and Vann hit yet another three pointer and a bucket, for 5 points, but incredibly masterful with the three-pointers on the evening.

 

Landon Laskey and Jesus Ibarra would add two points apiece in the final quarter, along with teammate Acevedo, who would also add two buckets for 4 points, and rebounds of course.

 

The Red Hawks shut out the Rams, 8-0 in the final quarter, to take home another convincing win, 64-10.

 

Corey Vann, best game of this young season offensively, 5-of-8 three-pointers made, 19 total points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

 

Lindholm also had a spectacular evening with 13 total points, a three-pointer, five field goals, 11 rebounds, and eight steals, just an incredible overall performance, as well, especially defensively.

 

“It feels great just to be back on the court, and to even just walk around. I think it will still take a little more time to heal 100 percent, but I’m starting to knock the rust off little by little. Lukas is my guy, I loved throwing to him, on the football field, and love playing basketball with him, he is great on the boards. I think it just took us all a while to build up our chemistry,” said Corey Vann.

 

Some great news also, Lukas Spencer has received an offer from the University of Pikeville in Kentucky for a football scholarship, he still wants to explore his options, however, what an amazing athlete, and a great young man as a person, but stay tuned, as he says ECS will be the first to get the update on his intentions to continue his football career.