Helix led Mission Bay 45-33 heading into the fourth.
Highlander defense keys turnaround
- Updated: November 23, 2019
Helix huddles on Friday at Montgomery High.
EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
CHULA VISTA – It’s a good thing for the Helix Highlanders that senior Maurice Holmes has a short memory.
Holmes shook off a cold-shooting night on Thursday to come back and knock down five three-pointers on the way to 23 points as Helix drowned Mission Bay, 63-50, at the San Diego Tip-Off at Montgomery High on Friday evening.
“I had a bad shooting night last night but had a short memory and shot the ball well tonight,” said Holmes, who last week signed a letter of intent to play next season at Fresno Pacific University. “I am extremely proud of our team for fighting through the adversity in the 1st half.”
Helix trailed 15-9 after the first quarter and 30-22 at halftime as Holmes scored the last 11 points for Helix in the period.
But that typical Highlander defensive game stepped up in a big way in the third period, limiting the Bucs to just 3 points as the Scotties surged to a 45-33 advantage.
“We played great defense in the third quarter to turn game around,” Helix head coach John Singer said. “We played great team defense, especially in the second half.”
Helix Keishon Trice had 11 of his 13 points in the third quarter.
“Keishon was a key player tonight because of his defensive effort and key plays,” Holmes said. “It was a great team win.”
“We came out defending and rebounding so well,” Holmes said. “There has been no lack of effort in practice or each of the last two games and that is what I’m most proud of.”
Holmes is such a well-rounded player that the only thing that could use some improvement heading into his senior season was his three-point shot.
Well, that shot looked great against Mission Bay, hitting three treys in the second quarter and another pair of triples in the fourth.
“Maurice Holmes shot well from the three-point line,” Singer said.
EL CAJON VALLEY 61, PREUSS UCSD 54 – The Braves won against the Tritons in a Division 4 Showcase game on Friday for their first win of the season.
BONITA VISTA 80, VALHALLA 60 – The Barons won the season-opener for both teams in the non-league game at Bonita Vista High on Friday.
