Wolf Pack gain city crown, 21st triumph
- Updated: February 4, 2023
2022-23 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
ECS staff report
SANTEE – In more than a decade operating the boys basketball program at Santana High, head coach Tim Barry posted more winning season than losing onces, twice coming within a game of the magical 30-win mark.
Now leading West Hills, Barry finally moved over the mark against his alma mater after the Wolf Pack easily stopped the visiting Sultans, 82-42, Friday (Feb. 3) before a full house at Dave Hunter Gymnasium.
The verdict kept West Hills (21-4 overall, 6-2 league) in contention for the Grossmont Valley League title entering the final week of the regular season, one game ahead of front-running Steele Canyon (14-12, 7-1 GVL).
“”The Pack put it all together,” said Barry, after his troops snapped a mild 2-game losing skid. “We made a statement from tip to finish.”
Vince Hillman dominated the Sultans tallying 10 of his game-best 22 points in the opening stanza to stake the Pack to a 22-6 advantage.
“”Vince immediately took control and set the tone for the entire game,” Barry note. “I’m so proud of his progress over the last two years == and his best is yet to come.”
Hillman, a 6-foot-6 junior, still has a year to go, but first, West Hills looks forward next week, then the CIF-San DIego Section playoffs.
“We just need to continue our progress.”
Santana (12-14, 2-6 GVL) clearly wasn’t ready for the vocal crowd — many of whom are neighbors when the contest isn’t being conducted.
“I’m rally happy for the senior, who swept their crosstown rivals in a crazy, fun atmosphere here in the Pack Den.”
For West Hills, Theron Humphries posted 13 points, Zeid Salem added 12,plus 7 points each from Spencer Burke an Loni Mesina.
Santana received a team-best 14 points from junior forward Jeffrey Van Oostende. However, the Sultans were limited to just 14 first-half points.
Friday’s Scoreboard
Mount Miguel 72, El Capitan 70
West Hills 82, Santana 42
Granite Hills 70, Valhalla 42
Monte Vista 66, Grossmont 51
Steele Canyon 80, ECVHS 48
Ramona 56 at Oceanside 54 (OT)
Christian 63, at Morse 51
Cathedral Catholic 70, Patrick Henry 53
San Pasqual Academy 63, at Borrego Springs 49
