Monarchs prove East’s best for now
- Updated: December 28, 2021
2021-22 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
MONTE VISTA 68, GRANITE HILLS 54
EastCountySports.com staff report
EL CAJON – In a matchup of the two top-rated teams in the East County, the Monte Vista Monarchs bolted past the host Granite Hills Eagles, 68-54, in a non-league game on Monday evening.
Senior Brandon Tully had 32 points for Monte Vista (11-3) and was 12-of-24 from the field, including 5-of-11 from three-point range.
The Monarchs made nine three-pointers in the first half, including some from very deep range. Monte Vista made 12-of-25 three-pointers as a team over the entirety of the game.
“Leading up to this game we talked about playing hard and coming to play from the start,” Tully said. “Getting after teams and not waiting for it, this was a great effort of what we are capable of doing. Putting pressure on the ball and rebounding on defense, moving the ball, and hitting shots. This win was because of us playing hard all game.”
Monte Vista came out very hot on offense, outscoring the Eagles, 23-14, over the first quarter.
The Monarchs were able to extend the lead to 47-24 by halftime.
Marco Balhin had 13 points and seven assists for MVHS. He had a trio of three-pointers in the game.
Saheed Jarvis added 12 points for the Monarchs, knocking down four three-pointers in the contest.
“Saheed played really well,” Monte Vista head coach Mike Tully said. “He played really hard defensively and hit some big shots early.”
Isaiah Hilke had nine points and 16 rebounds for Monte Vista.
Lawond Zagana led Granite Hills (9-3) with 16 points. He also blocked six shots.
“We didn’t hit our shots or come out with intensity,” Zanaga said.
Derek Edmond led the Eagles with 12 points.
Tre Edmond had eight points for the Eagles.
“We picked a bad night to shoot poorly all credit to Monte Vista,” Granite Hills head coach Dan Duffy said. “I haven’t seen a team shoot as well as they did in the first half in a long time. We played hard and had our chances in the second half but we didn’t shoot well enough to make up for their hot start.”
The Eagles had the highest power rating of all East County teams entering the final 10 days of the calendar year, just a few notches above the Monarchs.
While the Monarchs appeared to solidify their favoritism this season in the Grossmont Valley League, the Eagles figure to be part of a wild and woolly race in the Grossmont Hills League.
