Coyotes drop three at own Classic

2021-22 COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL

ECS staff report

RANCHO SAN DIEGO — Starting in the 1964-65 school year when the school opened its doors, San Diego Mesa College hosted an annual men’s basketball tournament. However, after 50 editions of the Mesa Christmas Classic, the Olympians allowed Cuyamaca College to take over the time slot during the final week of the calendar year.

On Tuesday (Dec. 28), the two schools met to open what is now tabbed as the Cuyamaca Classic, with the visiting Olympians grabbing an easy 83-49 victory.

The host Coyotes went on to drop all of their tournament contests, falling on Wednesday to East Los Angeles College of Monterrey Park, 87-63, then 95-87 to Golden west College of Huntington Beach in Thursday’s finale.

The series of setbacks extended the losing streak of Cuyamaca (3-11 overall) to six straight. The Coyotes return to action next week. Following a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, they get a road re-match at Mesa on Friday at 5 p.m.

The official all-tournament team was not reported. The all-star squad, as selected by the media, included Cuyamaca’s Ray King, who tallied 86 points (28.7/game) in three outings, including a season-best 49 points. King’s best outing featured 39 points against East L.A., which went on to a 3-0 sweep of its ballgames.

Meanwhile, Grossmont College (3-9 overall), saw both of its holiday contests called off.

The Griffins were slated to meet L.A. Harbor at home on Dec. 22, then travel to Pasadena City on Dec. 28, yet both were wiped off the schedule.

Grossmont’s return to PCAC play this week shows a Wednesday road gfame at Miramar College on Wednesday at 7 p.m., then a home ballgame with Palomar at 6 p.m. on Friday.

The G-House is 1-1 in conference play; Cuyamaca is winless in two road starts.