Pack primed. ready, with tourney title
- Updated: January 8, 2023
2022-23 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
ECS staff report
SANTEE — With league play just days away, West Hills is proven to be the most prepared boys basketball team, off to a school-record 15-2 start.
The Wolf Pack extended their winning streak to an East County season-best 11 straight,capped by four straight to capture the Santana Tournament.
Three of the triumphs came against Grossmont Conference competition, stopping Grossmont (59-46), Granite Hills (59-50) and Monte Vista (67-43) to secure the championship. The other win game in the Pack’s second tournament contest, whipping Imperial (58-37).
Game Highlights
Vs Grossmont
Story/Photos HERE
Vs. Imperial
The Imperial Tigers (5-4 overall) feature 6-foot-7 center David Scariana, one of the CIF-San Diego Section’s leading scorers at more than 27 points per outing. However, West Hills limited the junior post to just 11 points to post 21-point triumph.
Zeid Salem tallied 12 of his game-best 20 points in the first half, leading the Pack to s 33-12 halftime cushion. He nailed 9-of-13 shots from the floor, then completed an impressive double-double with 10 assists.
Bench scoring included 10 by Brent Hillman and 9 from Chance Owens for West Hills.
Vs. Granite Hills
With West Hills in a look-ahead situation after already defeating Granite Hills one week earlier, the Eagles were in prime position to avenge their loss.
Instead, the Wolf Pack also limited Granite Hills to a mere 12 firs-half points with their half-court pressure on defense to waltz to a perfect 3-0 pool play record.
Salem again led with 19 points and 7 rebounds, but the difference maker down the stretch was senior Spencer Burke, who drained 7-of-8 foul shots in the final period.
“This was a complete team effort,” said head coach Tim Barry. “Nine of our 10 players were in the scoring column”
“After a tight first quarter, we blew the game open with great half-court defensive pressure.”
For Granite Hills, senior Lawond Zangana scored a game-high 23 points, but 8 of those were cospetic points inthe late-going with contest already decided. Parlan Sanders,another senior, tallied 8 of his 13 points in the closing minutes.
Vs. Monte Vista
West Hills saw seven players register 6 or more points in a one-sided decision over the Monarchs. The Pack mounted a 31-16 lead at the break, then utilized a 17-11 margin in the third to race to a comfortable lead.
Salem was against the leading scorer with 13, but five points in the second period by both Bronson Roos and Easton Peterson off-set Monte Vista’s effort to slow down Salem.
“Going 4-0 in the tournament was a big confidence booster for us and helpful in the D-3 Power rankings,” added Barry. “It’s a nic e test going into our league opener on Tuesday.”
All-tournament
Santana did not select an all-tournament team, so the media made selections for its own team to highlight strong efforts.
From West Hills, Zeid Salem was the Player of the Tournament, while teammate Lue Gibson was an all-tournament selections.
Players from Santana, Grossmont and Granite Hills were not included none of these schools report to East County Sports.
