Ocean View shares title with RedHawks
- Updated: February 13, 2022
2021-22 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
By Dave Dickens
EastCountySports.com
SAN DIEGO (2-9-2022) — Coming into this battle of the two Pioneer League powerhouses, the Mountain Empire RedHawks (15-5, 7-1 Pioneer league) and the Ocean View Christian Patriots (15-4, 7-1 Pioneer League) on paper one would think this was a playoff game.
Maybe a little bad blood as far as the Ocean View Patriots were concerned as the last time these two teams squared off in Pine Valley, Mountain Empire was getting beat up pretty bad in the first half, down 26-12 at the intermission, then the RedHawks put the pedal to the metal outsourcing the Patriots 32-16 in the second half leading to a win at their beautiful new facilities, 44-42 RedHawks.
Great for Mountain Empire at the time, but on this particular evening, the Ocean View Patriots had seen quite enough of the first place co-champs of the Pioneer League.
This was indeed a truly important game for Mountain Empire as they win, they would be crowned solo champs. Another disadvantage or an advantage, depends on how you view the situation. Mountain Empire had been playing 3-to-4 games a week and one week they played five games.
The host Patriots had seen and heard about how they were gonna sweep Ocean View and win the league title on their court.
“The second quarter got us as Lukas Spencer, coming off of being out because of medical reasons for 10 days not having physical action or any exercise at this stage of the season, you could see it. Lukas Spencer, a key team player in this game, had just run out of gas,” said Mountain Empire head coach Bernard Vann.
In this battle, it was already 36-20 at the half in fact. Mountain Empire just wasn’t looking like themselves in a contest that was vital in winning the league, but the Patriots 28-23 scored in the second half did the Redhawks in losing big, 64-43.
Corey Vann had a heck of a game in spite of the loss with 13 total points, 2 assists, no turnovers, and a block.
“It does feel good to be able to put a banner up at my school, however, I just wish it wasn’t a co-league champ, to be honest. We aren’t even anywhere near done with this season, so I am looking forward to playing in my first ever high school playoff game. I think it was the team chemistry and the new playbook that really set us off this season. Albin Acevedo was carrying a lot of weight this season to get us where we are. Once again, my man Lukas Spencer was a big help on the glass and defense. Lastly, Landon Laskey, playing his first year of organized basketball, putting in the work, and I’m excited to play along with him next season in football and basketball,” Corey Vann continued.
“Coach Vann told us all we had to pick it up on offense at halftime. We were playing good defense but they were just making all their shots. We just had to make smarter passes and shots. I don’t think the score reflects how good we really are this year, but being out for medical for so long, I just think I could make more of a difference if I was 100 percent,” said Spencer.
