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2005-06 San Diego Section Basketball Scrapbook
2005 San Diego Section Holiday Tournament Scoreobard

2005-06 San Diego Section Report:
Sultans score second consecutive CIF hoops title
Santana bounds past Kearny; Mt. Carmel upsets Matadors' plan for four-peat

SAN DIEGO, March 3-4, 2006 -- It wasn’t quite the showcase that East County teams put on during downpours last year at USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion — winning four division titles — but one out of two isn’t that bad, especially if you happen to be a member of the Santana High School girls basketball team.

The top-seeded Sultans won their second consecutive San Diego Section Division III championship — and ninth in school history — by defeating second-seeded Kearny, 71-59, March 4. Jordan Franey keyed Santana (20-9) with 35 points, hitting 13 of 22 from the field and eight of nine from the free throw line. The Sultans led after each quarter, holding an initial 16-13 edge en route to a 33-25 halftime lead in a game marked by physical play.

Shae Bass and Shannon Bailey scored eight points in the game for the Sultans while Danielle Balough and Nicole Brzeczek each scored six points and Kelsey Ash scored five points. Bass helped key the win with seven assists and three steals.

Franey, who is bound for UC Santa Barbara, had 14 rebounds for Santana, which downed Valley Center, 47-39, for the 2005 title.

The game was tied 25-25 early before the Sultans reeled off an 8-0 run and later at 41-41 before Santana pulled away with a 10-0 scoring explosion. The Sultans led by as much as 19 points late in the game before Wade Vickery — the winningest coach in section history with more than 600 victories to his credit — started sending in reserve players.

The Sultans qualified for the 2006 championship game by defeating La Jolla, 82-40, in semifinal-round action on March 1. Franey led the way with 38 points to tie a career high while Balough and Bass each scored 11 points.

Kearny, which was led in this year’s CIF final by Tinisha Patrick’s 16 points, finished 15-13. The Komets were out-rebounded by Santana 44-34 and committed 21 turnovers to 20 for the victorious Sultans, who were making their 14 appearance in a division championship game.

Santana was scheduled to tip-off the Southern California regional playoffs with a home game March 7 against Anaheim Magnolia (21-10). Regional competition culminates with championship games March 11 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena,

The southern and northern regional champions will square off in the state finals March 18 in Sacramento.

Division II Final
Mt. Miguel had its string of three consecutive division championships ended 52-51 by Mt. Carmel in finals competition March 3. Overall, it was the fifth straight championship game for the top-seeded Matadors, who finished second in 2002 to Orange Glen before running off consecutive titles in 2003, 2004 and 2005, including two against El Capitan and one against Ramona.

The division title was the fifth for Mt. Carmel, owners of four previous Division I banners before switching enrollment classifications this season.

The second-seeded Sundevils (27-6) received double-digit scoring from three players: Jenna Breite (14), Whitney Spence (14) and Cara Breite (10). Spence paced Mt. Carmel with 16 rebounds — double the total turned in by Mt. Miguel’s Lashawn Johnson.

The Matadors’ explosive offense was contained for the most part by the reigning Palomar League champions as defending Division II Player of the Year Jerica Williams was held to just four points in the game, including 2-of-13 shooting from the field and a 0-for-4 showing at the free throw line. Williams, who had been battling a foot injury, admitted she was not in top form for the game.

Johnson keyed Mt. Miguel (23-7) with 14 points, followed by Monique Clayton with 12 points and 11 points by Precious Robinson. As a team, the Matadors shot poorly from the floor, sinking just 19 of 60 attempts (32 percent).

Mt. Carmel, which banged out leads of 17-11 (first quarter) and 33-18 (halftime), managed a 43 percent shooting efficiency from the floor (22-of-51). The Sundevils won despite committing 21 turnovers — nine more than the Matadors’ nine.

An inspired second half, however, still positioned Mt. Miguel for the win. Johnson’s free throw with 18 seconds to play put the Matadors up 51-50. After the Sundevils went back in front on a pair of free throws by Spence with nine seconds to play, Mt. Miguel had a chance to steal the win on a shot by Williams with two seconds left. The shot, however, did not fall.

The Matadors, after trailing by as much as 18 points at one juncture, had tied the game, 46-46, during their furious second-half comeback and held a 48-46 lead after Clayton sank a pair from the charity stripe with time ticking down.

A fourth consecutive CIF title would have tied the Spring Valley squad with Point Loma (1984-87) for the most consecutive division titles among the section's larger schools.

Mt. Miguel eliminated fourth-seeded El Capitan, last year’s finals opponent, with a 54-52 semifinal victory on March 1. In that game, the Matadors built a seemingly comfortable 12-point lead only to see the Vaqueros (18-11) mount a comeback that tied the score at 51-51 and 52-52 in the waning seconds until free throws in the final 12 seconds by Johnson and Williams provided the final margin of victory.

Robinson led Mt. Miguel in the semifinal win with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Allison Duffy, who will continue her basketball career at SDSU, led El Captian with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Mt. Carmel finished second in the regular season rankings; Mt. Miguel was fifth and Satnana was sixth. Division I champion San Diego topped the final regular season poll.

Still, the Matadors got a chance to redeem their postseason fortunes with a regional playoff game at Brea Olinda (20-11) on March 7.

Eastlake idols grab hoops spotlight

Titan boys and girls basketball teams to play for CIF titles

Eastlake tops El Camino, 78-61, in boys semifinal
CHULA VISTA, Feb. 28, 2006 -- The chant started with just under two minutes to play in Tuesday’s Division I San Diego Section semifinal boys basketball game at Eastlake High School between the host Titans and the El Camino Wildcats. With just under one minute to go, fans on the home side of the gym began trickling down from the bleachers, positioning themselves for a run at midcourt once the final buzzer sounded.

“CIF! CIF! CIF!” the chant went up from the packed home side of the stands.

It did not abate until the final second when a mass of delirium seemed to take over the playing surface. The Eastlake Titans were going to the Division I championship game.

“We’ve been waiting for this all year. It was our No. 1 goal,” said Eastlake senior Stephen Carr, who collected 16 points, six rebounds and two steals in the second-seeded Titans’ 78-61 triumph against third-seeded El Camino.

Eastlake will play its final game of the 2005-06 season Saturday, March 4, at 8 p.m. at USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion against the top-seeded La Costa Canyon Mavericks. La Costa Canyon defeated Bonita Vista, 80-52, in Tuesday’s other semifinal.
The Division I boys championship game will follow the girls Division II title game. In that matchup, third-seeded Eastlake (23-6) will take on top-seeded San Diego (29-2) in a back-to-back Metro Conference showcase.

South County fans should soak up this double-header treat because it’s a rare feat accomplished by area squads.

The last time two Metro teams played in the CIF division finals was in 2001 when Eastlake captured the Division II boys title and Marian Catholic finished runner-up in the Division IV boys championship game. Bonita Vista defeated Southwest in the Division I boys title contest in 1999.

For the Titans, Tuesday’s victory was sweet revenge. Last year, it was El Camino that knocked Eastlake out of the playoffs with a semifinal win.

“This time they (the Titan players) had the chance and they were not going to let it slip by,” said Eastlake coach Alex Estrada, whose team improved to 28-1.

The 28 victories are a school record.

La Costa Canyon is 27-4.

Eastlake’s 2001 Division II championship team defeated Ramona, 73-69. When asked to compare this year’s team to the 2001 CIF titlist squad that finished 26-4, Estrada had to pause for a moment before answering. “This team is a little faster. I thought that team was fast but this team seems to get up and down the court faster,” the Titan coach said.

It was that up-tempo game — combined with gritty defense — that helped Eastlake prevail against the Wildcats, who were coming off an emotional 70-57 victory against defending Division I champion Helix last Friday. The Titans played without two of their top players — Stephen Carr and Marlon King — for much of the first half because of early foul trouble. However, Eastlake still managed to post leads at the end of the first quarter (22-15) and at halftime (47-40).

The Wildcats made it a four-point game — 52-48 — in the opening minutes of the third quarter but the Titans quickly regained the momentum and built a commanding 65-48 lead on the strength of an unanswered 13-point run keyed by back-to-back three-point field goals by Kareem Rodriguez.

King led the Titans in scoring with 22 points while grabbing three rebounds and making five steals. Rodriguez finished the memorable game with 21 points, four rebounds and one steal.

Other contributors included Derek Jackson with nine points, seven rebounds and two steals; Kenneth Bradford with six points; and Patrick Magno with four rebounds and two steals.

Eastlake has won 24 consecutive games since dropping a 78-73 contest to Colony High School from Orange County in the championship game of the Titan Tip-Off Classic in early December.

Players were misty-eyed after Tuesday’s titanic win.

“I love all these guys. They played their hearts out,” Carr said. “Even when I had trouble with fouls, they found a way to keep pushing.”

Tuesday’s win was the 100th for the team in the past four years.

“We were confident at the half. We had played our best offensive basketball of the season without Stephen. I’m just glad they (the officials) led us play basketball at the end,” Estrada said in reference to the tightly-called opening half.

The Titans literally ran away with the game in the third quarter by outscoring the visitors 20-9 to up their lead to 67-49. Rodriguez helped key the offense while Jackson and Carr helped steady the defense. King, as always, was the sparkplug between the ends of the court.

Even when playing keep-away for much of the final quarter, El Camino could only post a narrow 12-11 scoring edge.
Score the win to Team Titans.

“We tend to wear teams out so much because we run so much,” Estrada said. “But we have five guys who can play defense.”

Carr put the team’s mind-set into words. “We have a winning attitude. We don’t accept defeat,” he said.

As for this weekend’s Division I final, La Costa Canyon will be a difficult assignment. Chase Budinger — a heavy favorite to collect the San Diego Section Male Athlete of the Year award — tallied 37 points in the Mavericks’ 95-60 quarterfinal win against Rancho Bernardo. He stands as the section’s all-time leading scorer with nearly 3,000 points.

Rodriguez and Carr each paced Eastlake with 16 points while King added 10 points in last Friday’s 53-39 quarterfinal-round victory against visiting San Diego.

“Just getting there was one of our goals. Whoever we play, I am sure we will be prepared,” Estrada said of Saturday’s title matchup.

Titans hold off Montgomery, 76-69, to advance to girls final
Whenever the Eastlake and Montgomery girls basketball teams have squared off this season, it has been a battle to the end. Wednesday’s Division I San Diego Section semifinal playoff encounter in front of a near-capacity audience at Eastlake High School was no different as the host Titans pulled off what can only be described as a harrowing 76-69 victory.

Third-seeded Eastlake (23-6) will play top-seeded San Diego (29-2) for the division championship Saturday, March 4, at 6 p.m. at USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Seventh-seeded Montgomery, which upset second-seeded Helix in the quarterfinals, ends an otherwise standout season with a 20-9 record.

Make no mistake, it could have easily been the Aztecs advancing to meet the Cavers. Montgomery held a two-point lead, 47-45, with 42 seconds to play in the third quarter and trailed 68-66 with 1:49 to play in the game.

The previous two regular season contests between the Mesa League rivals were decided by margins of four points and one point, respectively. That’s how close the Aztecs came to stealing this year’s league championship from the Titans.

“Every time we play them, it’s like this,” said Eastlake coach Janet Eleazar, who was an assistant coach when the Titans won the 1998 Division II title. “It went to the wire. I wish we had been on the opposite sides of the bracket, so we wouldn’t have had to meet in the semifinals. It was a fun game.”

The Aztecs, keyed by Danisha Corbett’s game-high 38 points, trailed 13-12 at the end of the first quarter and was down by just two points at halftime, 32-30, thanks to a bucket by Brieanna Gibson with 4.4 seconds left. Spurred on by its numerous and decidedly vocal fans, Montgomery kept chipping away at the Titans lead, finally overcoming it in the late stages of the third quarter.

But Eastlake had an answer for the Aztecs’ rally, turning the game — and likely the outcome — around during a 23-second span with just over five-and-a-half minutes left in the exciting back-and-forth contest.

Positioned at the charity stripe, Cheyenne Curley hit the first of two free throw attempts to put the Titans up 56-53, but missed the second shot. Teammate Jessie Schmuckal, however, grabbed the rebound and tossed the ball in the bucket put give the hosts a critical five-point lead at 58-53. Eastlake then gained a steal at the opposite end of the court and Brittany Daniel converted the fast break for two more points and a 60-53 Titan lead.

Before the whirlwind series of events, Eastlake had been clinging to a narrow 55-53 lead.

A three-point play by Brittany Palmer with 1:10 left likely was just as critical to the Titans’ title game fortunes. Holding a two-point lead at 68-66, Palmer scored two from the floor and then drew a foul shot.

Swish.

71-66 Eastlake.

Furious rebounding under both baskets defined the final minute of play, with the Aztecs pulling to within four points, 73-69, before Curley went to the line again to sink a pair — and Montgomery’s season.

Daniel and Shatori Dearman bot paced the Titans with 19 points, followed by Palmer with 16 points, Curley with 12 points and Schmuckal with eight points.

Samantha Aguinaldo, whose shot with 10 seconds to play eliminated Helix, scored nine points for the Aztecs, who also received eight points from Cassie Klockgether and five points from Janet Von Eiff.


Christian hoop men advance in CIF playoffs
EL CAJON, Feb. 24, 2006 -- Derek Larsen has spent three years on the Christian High School boys varsity basketball team. During that time he has seen the Patriots’ fortunes on the court take many turns. As captain of this year’s team, however, he has seen the team’s success multiply.

Christian finished 18-6 in regular season play to earn the fourth seed in this year’s San Diego Section Division I playoffs. That came in stark contrast to the team’s 8-18 record and first-round playoff exit in last year.

“It’s been a big change for us,” said Larsen, who scored 11 points in the Patriots’ 76-65 quarterfinal-round playoff victory against visiting Army-Navy Academy that propelled the East County team into this year’s semifinal matchup against top-seeded Horizon Christian.

Contributing to that big change has been the addition of three Lithuanian exchange students — Andrius Mikutis, Paul Ivanaskus and Viktor Asaciovas.

Mikutis had a team-high 26 points in the quarterfinal playoff win against Army-Navy while Ivanaskus totaled 15 points and Asaciovas nailed nine points. Between them, the three Lithuanians accounted for 50 points.

“We’re a faster team this year because of them,” Larsen said of the team’s three European newcomers. “They’ve really contributed a lot to the team. It’s fun to play with them because they are so good.”

Asaciovas, who commands attention on the basketball court at 6 feet, 6 inches tall, said he chose to come to the United States to learn English in preparation of possibly attending college here. While he admitted missing his native food, he said he has adjusted to life here in the USA rather well, a different language aside.

President’s Day Weekend, though, caught him by surprise. “We get a day off from school because of a president’s birthday. In Lithuania, we don’t have that. We just give respect for that,” Asaciovas said.

Practices, games and homework also kept him from watching much of the just-concluded Winter Olympic Games. But celebrating a playoff win with his new-found friends was just as satisfying.

The Patriots, who finished 6-4 in Central League play, used a 23-15 scoring edge in the opening quarter to distance themselves from the visiting Warriors. Christian led 38-29 at halftime and put the game away with a 22-10 run in the third quarter to take a 60-39 lead into the final quarter.

Daniel Hazlett scored 13 points for the Patriots, including three three-point field goals. Colin McDonald rounded out Christian’s scoring with a bucket.

The quarterfinal-round win advanced the Patriots to a semifinal-round contest against Horizon Christian, which improved to 20-3 after eliminating Calipatria by a 66-43 score in quarterfinal-round action. The winner of the Feb. 28 semifinal matchup advances to the division championship game March 3 at 4 p.m. at USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Second-seeded Francis Parker (22-5) and third-seeded Bishop’s (18-11) advanced to the other semifinal tilt.

Larsen said this year’s Christian team has generally met preseason expectations.

“From the beginning of the season, we expected to win at least 20 games total. We were expecting to make the playoffs and go as farther than last year and possibly advance to the state playoffs. Most of our losses have been close. Three of our losses were within four points. There were a few other games that we could have gone either way,” Larsen said.

Division III
Santana advanced to the semifinal round after topping third-seeded Central Union, 59-47. Ricky Michelmore poured in a game-high 20 points, including nine on three three-point field goals, to lead the Grossmont North League co-champion Sultans (17-10). Jon Hernandez added 17 points for Santana, which bounded to a critical 24-14 halftime edge and held off the hosts with a 24-19 scoring run in the final quarter.

The victory marked the first time in 18 years that a Santana squad had won back-to-back playoff games.

The Sultans advanced to the division semifinals against second-seeded Crawford (21-8). The division championship game is March 4 at 2:45 p.m. at USD.

Division I
Defending Division I champion Helix also met playoff elimination at the hands of third-seeded El Camino, 70-57. Four players scored in double figures to lead the host Wildcats (26-6). David Jefferson paced the Highlanders (21-7) with 18 points while Lawrence Hurdle scored 15 points and Aaron Tinsley added 11 points.

Helix broke out to an initial 13-9 lead but was done in by a 22-10 second-quarter run by El Camino, which also outscored the visitors in each of the final two quarters.

The Wildcats advanced to the Division I semifinals against second-seeded Eastlake (28-1).

Division II
El Capitan (17-12) and Monte Vista (15-14) both finished their seasons with quarterfinal-round losses. Grossmont North League co-champion El Capitan dropped a 51-33 decision against fourth-seeded Scripps Ranch (20-9) while Monte Vista fell, 58-31, against top-seeded San Pasqual (28-0). Cory Brown led El Capitan with 15 points.

Barons clip Eagles wings
El CAJON, Feb. 24, 2006 -- The capacity crowd roared with each basket made by the home team, raising the decibel level to almost painful pitch. At times during Friday’s Division I San Diego Section boys basketball quarterfinal-round playoff game, the Granite Hills High School gymnasium sounded more like a take-off strip on an aircraft carrier in a war zone. Talk about home court advantage.

But the Bonita Vista Barons largely quieted that nest of super-charged Eagles fans with a second-half showcase of skill and tenacity to record a 69-61 victory and cinch a date in Tuesday’s semifinals against top-seeded La Costa Canyon (26-4).

Granite Hills, using the momentum of a 66-56 first-round playoff victory against Southwest and the school’s first league hoops title in 47 years, jumped out to a 20-14 first-quarter lead against visiting Bonita Vista but could not maintain the momentum.

The gym rocked loudest when the Eagles (21-8) made a belated rally to tie the game in the dying minutes of the contest. But long-range shooting by Bonita Vista’s Mark Kiefer (six three-pointers) and clutch scoring by Pierce Hunter in the final frantic seconds allowed Bonita Vista (21-8) to advance.

Nick Taylor keyed Granite Hills with 27 points, throwing in six three-point field goals of his own. Brandon Pride tallied 13 points, including nine points on long-range shooting, while Clark Gordon contributed eight points and 11 rebounds.

A total of 15 three-point shots went in between the two teams — nine by Granite Hills.

Kiefer paced the victorious Barons with 26 points, hitting on four consecutive three-point shots at one point, to enable Bonita Vista to pull away late in the game. Hunter had 18 points while Desmaan Robinson, the giant on the court at 6-foot-9 and 300 pounds, added 12 points for the winners.

The Eagles trailed 29-25 at halftime but rallied to lead 38-35 late in the third quarter.

However, with inside shooting coming at a premium, the game turned into a perimeter shot fest with the lead alternating between the two squads. Granite Hills evened the game, 42-42, with a three-point shot. The Barons went up 48-42 after Kiefer dropped two three-point bombs through the hoop.

It was Kiefer’s long-range antics that finally put the visitors ahead to stay. The Barons lead 54-48 with five minutes to play in regulation and took a 56-48 lead with 4:31 to play on a rebound shot by Jared Jackson. But the Grossmont South League champions did not give up through adversity, pulling to within 60-58 on a three-pointer by Taylor with 2:03 left. The Eagles trailed 66-58 with 36.5 seconds to play and ended the game with an eight-point deficit on the final scoresheet.

Division II
Hilltop (23-5) ended its season for the second consecutive year in the quarterfinals after falling 63-55 to visiting Westview (17-13) last Friday. Gabe Wessell led the Lancers with 22 points while xx Davis scored 15 points and Gabriel Alcala had 14 points. Wessell had five three-point shots fall in. Hilltop trailed 18-15 after the first quarter and 30-27 at halftime.

Metro teams advance in CIF playoffs
CHULA VISTA, Feb. 21, 2006 -- How far can the Eastlake Titans, Hilltop Lancers and Bonita Vista Barons carry their amazing seasons? Well, at least into this year’s San Diego Section quarterfinals after the three squads racked up first-round playoff victories on Tuesday.

Second-seeded Eastlake defeated visiting Fallbrook, 67-52, in Division I action while third-seeded Hilltop stopped visiting Mt. Carmel, 85-57, in Division II play.

Overall, three of the four Metro Conference teams to gain entry into this year’s playoff field advanced with first-round victories. Bonita Vista downed visiting Mission Hills, 63-28, while fourth-seeded Granite Hills, still basking in the glow of its first league title in 47 years, eliminated Southwest, 66-56.

Mesa League champion Eastlake (26-1) will host Friday’s quarterfinal match-up against San Diego (20-8) while South Bay League champion Hilltop (23-4) will host Westview (16-13). Bonita Vista (20-8) will play at Granite Hills (21-7). Tip-off is 7 p.m.

Marlon King and Kareem Rodriguez each scored 21 points to lead the Titans, who also received 14 points from Stanford-bound Stephen Carr. Eastlake, which concluded Mesa League play with an undefeated 10-0 league mark, opened a 20-9 first-quarter edge on the Warriors (16-12).

The Titans led 31-24 at halftime after being outscored 15-11 in the second quarter but came out strong in the third quarter with a 20-11 scoring run to take firm control of the contest.

Meanwhile, Gabe Wessell pumped in 33 points to lead Hilltop to its first-round win against the Sundevils (10-18). Gabriel Alcala added 22 points while Cody Reeves contributed 14 points.

The Lancers battled to a 20-18 first quarter lead but out-distanced Mt. Carmel with hefty scoring margins in each of the last three quarters, using a 19-11 run in the second quarter to lead 39-29 at halftime and a 24-13 run in the third quarter to take a 63-42 advantage into the final quarter. Hilltop ended the game with a 22-15 fourth-quarter scoring edge.
Wessell had six three-point field goals in the game.

Three players — Desmaan Robinson (19), Tyrell Greene (13) and Pierce Hunter (12) — scored in double figures to lead Bonita Vista past the Grizzlies. The Barons dominated every quarter, leading 11-7 at the end of the first quarter and 30-18 at halftime before out-distancing the visitors with a 19-1 scoring run in the third quarter. Bonita Vista capped the runaway victory with a 14-9 scoring edge in the final quarter.

Granite Hills, which defeated defending Division I champion Helix 53-50 on Feb. 14 to win this year’s Grossmont South League title, nailed down its school-record 21st win by pulling away down the stretch run against Southwest. The Raiders trailed 45-42 with seven minutes to play in the game but the Eagles took advantage of free-throw shooting to prevail.

DeQuonta Webster keyed the Raiders (17-11) with 14 points while Stephan Towns scored 13 points. Southwest and Granite Hills ended the opening period embroiled in a 19-19 standoff but the host Eagles used a 15-9 scoring run in the second quarter to move out to a 34-28 halftime advantage. The Raiders trailed 43-40 entering the final period but were done in by a 23-16 scoring run by Granite Hills in the final quarter.

Nick Taylor led the Eagles with 31 points while Clark Gordon contributed 13 points.

Taylor finished with a game-high 29 points in the conquest of Helix, which finished in second place in the Grossmont South League standings with a 7-3 league record and 20-6 overall mark.

Helix ended the season with a dominating 68-33 win at Steele Canyon to earn the sixth seed in the Division I playoffs, opening with a 63-38 victory against visiting Torrey Pines on Feb. 21.

Westview enters Friday’s quarterfinal game against Hilltop with a 50-43 first-round victory against Steele Canyon (12-16). San Diego topped Vista, 61-54, in first-round action. Eastlake owns a non-league win against the Cavers earlier this season.

La Costa Canyon, which improve to 25-4 after downing Escondido by a 94-70 score on Tuesday, earned the top seed in the Division I field while San Pasqual (28-0) and Hoover (23-5) were the two top-seeded teams in the Division II field.
Semifinal-round play starts Feb. 28.

Girls playoffs
The San Diego Section girls basketball playoffs tipped off Wednesday with five Metro Conference entrants. Eastlake (20-6), Bonita Vista (20-7) and Montgomery (18-8) were included in the Division I field while Hilltop (15-12) qualified among Division II schools and Marian Catholic (23-4) received the fourth seed in the Division IV field.

Midway Baptist, which finished 8-0 in Citrus South League play, qualified in the Division V field.

Eastlake finished as this year’s Mesa League champion with a 10-0 league record; Marian Catholic won the South Bay League with a likewise 10-0 league mark.

Nine Grossmont Conference teams received playoff invitations, led by top-seeded Mt. Miguel (20-6) in the Division II field and top seeded Santana (17-9) in the Division III field. Helix (20-7) earned the No. 2 seed in the Division I field while El Capitan (15-10) was seeded fourth among Division II schools.

San Diego (26-2) received the No. 1 seed in Division I while Mt. Carmel (23-6) received the No. 2 seed in Division II and Kearny (13-12) received the No. 2 seed in Division III.

Mt. Miguel, two-time defending CIF champions, won this season’s Grossmont South League title with a 9-1 league record while El Capitan captured top honors in the Grossmont North League with a 7-1 league record. Helix finished second in the Grossmont South League standings at 8-2.

Quarterfinal-round play is scheduled Saturday, Feb. 25, followed by the division semifinals on March 1. Visit the website at www.cifsds.org for up-to-date playoff brackets.

Eagles fly high as boys hoops champs
Granite Hills lands first league title in 47 years

After 47 years, the Granite Hills Eagles boys basketball team finally landed a league championship title after concluding regular season play with a 59-53 Grossmont South League victory against visiting Monte Vista on Feb. 17. For the victorious Eagles, it was their 13th win in their last 14 games.

Granite Hills finished league play with a 9-1 record. The Eagles finished regular season play 20-7. The 20 wins in one season is a school record.

The win that set everything in motion, however, was the last second 53-50 decision Granite Hills scored against defending San Diego Section Division I champion Helix on Feb. 14. Nick Taylor broke a 50-all tie on a three-point shot just before time expired to give the Eagles the dramatic win — and the rights to this year’s league title.

Taylor finished with a game-high 29 points in the conquest of Helix while teammate Brian Humphries scored 10 points. Lawrence Hurdle had 22 points in a losing cause for the Highlanders, who won last won the league title in 2003 after back-to-back championship seasons by Steele Canyon.

Taylor had 34 points in the regular season finale against Monte Vista (4-6, 14-13), hitting six three-point field goals, while teammate Clark Gordon added 13 points and 18 rebounds.

Granite Hills earned a degree of respect by receiving the fourth seed in this year’s Division I playoff bracket, opening post-season play with a 66-56 victory against Southwest on Feb. 21.

Helix finished in second place in the Grossmont South League standings with a 7-3 league record and 20-6 overall mark. The Highlanders ended the season with a dominating 68-33 win at Steele Canyon to earn the sixth seed in the Division I playoffs, opening with a 63-38 victory against visiting Torrey Pines on Feb. 21.

Valhalla finished in third place in the league standings at 6-4, taking a 15-12 overall record into its opening-round Division II playoff game against Ramona on Feb. 21, an 87-78 loss.

Monte Vista and Steele Canyon (12-15) both finished in a tie for fourth place in the league standings with 4-6 records. Mt. Miguel (7-20) finished in sixth place with a 0-10 league mark.

Grossmont North League
Santana (15-10) and El Capitan (16-11) both tied for this year’s Grossmont North League boys basketball championship with 6-2 league records. El Capitan moved into the tie atop the league standings on the strength of its 59-54 win at West Hills on Feb. 17. It was the first league title since 2002 for El Capitan and since 1988 for Santana.

Cory Brown led El Capitan with 27 points in the league title-clinching win against West Hills (3-5, 13-14). Two other Vaqueros scored in double digits in the game: Taelor Worrell (12 points) and Jason Ziegler (11 points). Nick Murico had eight rebounds in the game for El Capitan, which trailed 32-25 at halftime.

Both Grossmont North League champions emerged with tight-rope wins in the opening round of this year’s San Diego Section playoffs on Feb. 21. El Capitan, seeded fifth in the Division II bracket, edged visiting University City, 61-60, in overtime while Santana, seeded sixth in the Division III field, topped visiting Valley Center by a 58-56 score.

Both El Capitan and Santana advance to the quarterfinals on Friday, Feb. 24. The division semifinals are scheduled Feb. 28.

Eight Grossmont Conference teams qualified for this year’s section playoffs, with Monte Vista eliminating West Hills, 66-54, on Feb. 21 and Steele Canyon falling 50-43 to Westview.

La Costa Canyon (24-4) and Eastlake (25-1) earned the top two seeds, respectively, in the Division I field while San Pasqual (28-0) and Hoover (23-5) were the two top-seeded teams in the Division II field. Santana will play third-seeded Central Union (23-4) on Feb. 24 as quarterfinal-round play starts. St. Augustine (26-2) and Crawford (20-8) received the top two seeds, respectively, in the Division III field.

Christian (18-6) received the fourth seed in the Division IV playoffs and will play its first game in the quarterfinals on Feb. 24 against either Army-Navy Academy or The Preuss School after receiving a first-round bye. The top two Division IV seeds included Horizon Christian (19-3) and Francis Parker (21-5), followed by the Bishop’s School (17-11).

Girls playoffs
The San Diego Section girls basketball playoffs were scheduled to tip off Feb. 22. Nine Grossmont Conference teams received playoff invitations, led by top-seeded Mt. Miguel (20-6) in the Division II field and top seeded Santana (17-9) in the Division III field. Helix (20-7) earned the No. 2 seed in the Division I field while El Capitan (15-10) was seeded fourth among Division II schools.

Other teams advancing to post-season competition included Granite Hills (17-11) in Division I and Grossmont (21-8), Steele Canyon (14-13), West Hills (12-15), El Cajon Valley (7-20) in Division II.

San Diego (26-2) received the No. 1 seed in Division I while Mt. Carmel (23-6) received the No. 2 seed in Division II and Kearny (13-12) received the No. 2 seed I Division III.

Mt. Miguel, two-time defending CIF champions, won this season’s Grossmont South League title with a 9-1 league record while El Capitan captured top honors in the Grossmont North League with a 7-1 league record. Helix finished second in the Grossmont South League standings at 8-2, followed by Granite Hills in third place at 7-3. Santana finished second in the Grossmont North League standings at 6-2, followed by Grossmont in third place at 5-3.

Quarterfinal-round play is scheduled Feb. 25, followed by the division semifinals on March 1. Visit the website at www.cifsds.org for up-to-date playoff brackets.

Otay Ranch hoops men on the rise
CHULA VISTA, Feb. 17, 2006 -- The Otay Ranch Mustangs and Hilltop Lancers both boasted undefeated 3-0 South Bay League records heading into their first-round boys hoops showdown in the Mustangs’ gym on Jan 25. While high profile contests were nothing new for defending league champion Hilltop, it appears the Mustangs will need to start getting used to them.

In one short sentence, Otay Ranch appears to be a team on the rise … up the standings.

Playing in just their second varsity season, the Mustangs concluded 2005-06 South Bay League play with an 8-2 league record and 15-10 overall mark. The two league losses were both to Hilltop, which cemented back-to-back league titles. Otay Ranch defeated every other league opponent twice.

On a prestige note, Otay Ranch entered the final week of regular season play ranked eighth in the section in scoring defense.

The Mustangs finished 7-3 in league play, 12-13 overall, in their first foray into varsity play last season.

Otay Ranch improved to 3-0 in league play (10-6 overall) after defeating host San Ysidro on Jan. 20. Domenic Cosentino (14) and Robert Perry (12) each reached double figures in scoring for the Mustangs, who dominated the Cougars (1-14, 0-3) on the scoreboard early with leads of 18-7 and 40-13 after the opening two quarters, respectively. The Otay Ranch defense held San Ysidro to single-digit scoring in each quarter by allowing five points in the third quarter and six points in the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs tipped off league play with victories against Mar Vista (75-41) and Castle Park (93-34) on Jan. 13 and Jan. 18, respectively.

Other key early season wins for Otay Ranch include a 61-46 victory against defending San Diego Section Division II champion Steele Canyon in the West Hills Wolf Pack/Horsman tournament prior to winter break and victories against Glendale (Ariz.) and La Sierra (Riverside) in a pair of non-league encounters on Dec. 30 and Jan. 7, respectively.

The Mustangs defeated Madison, 84-38, to finish in third place in the finals of their own tournament — the Otay Ranch Holiday Tournament — on Dec. 21.

The Mustangs concluded first-round league play with a 73-26 win against Marian Catholic on Jan. 27.

Second-round league wins came against Castle Park (87-43), Mar Vista (74-49), San Ysidro (82-23) and Marian Catholic (77-26).

Cosentino had 25 points and Austin Wilson added 12 points in Otay Ranch’s league concluding win against the Crusaders on Feb. 15.

Otay Ranch (7-2, 14-10) moved a step closer to securing second place in the South Bay League standings after defeating San Ysidro on Feb. 10. Four Mustangs scored in double digits: RaNee Woods (13), Dexter McDuffie (12), Domenic Cosentino (12) and Robert Perry (10). Otay Ranch led the Cougars (2-7, 3-20) by a whopping 28-5 score after the first period and increased that lead to 47-11 at halftime. The Mustangs limited San Ysidro to four points in the third quarter and eight points in the final quarter.

The Mustangs dropped 58-42 and 64-55 decisions against Hilltop, which finished 10-0 in South Bay League games, 22-4 overall.

The Mustangs are keyed by Cosentino, an all-league returner, and Perry, whom coach Howard Suda has credited with, in his words, “taking charge of the team.”

Other major contributors Suda lists in the team’s lineup are Woods, 6-foot-7 junior, and McDuffie, a 6-foot-5 senior.

Despite the program’s relative youth, Otay Ranch has not shied away from taking on some of the top teams around the section — and beyond. The Mustangs dropped a 53-34 matchup against Orange County’s Santa Margarita in the Southern California Coaches Classic Shootout at Carlsbad High School on Jan. 28. Santa Margarita entered the inter-sectional contest led by 6-foot-9 James Keefe (committed to UCLA) and Jon Gunderson (committed to Santa Clara).

The Mustangs showed they were ready to compete by trailing the Eagles by just one point, 31-30, before Santa Margarita went on a 21-4 fourth-quarter scoring run to seal the victory. Gunderson led the Eagles with four three-point field goals in the game.

CIF basketball title game dates announced;
which teams will be showcased?

EL CAJON, Feb. 14, 2006 -- The dates for this year’s San Diego Section boys and girls high school basketball championship games have been announced. The only thing missing in the equation is which teams will be participating.

If this year’s playoffs hold any course to last season, it could be several East County teams.

Last year, four Grossmont Conference squads ended the season with San Diego Section divisional titles. Helix won the boys Division I title. Scripps Ranch won the boys Division II title. Mt. Miguel won the girls Division II title and Santana won the girls Division III title.

This season, the Mt. Miguel, Helix and Santana girls teams appear ready to take on all competition, especially Helix after dealing top-ranked Mt. Miguel a 37-34 loss on Feb. 7 in Grossmont South League play to snap the Matadors’ 52-game league winning streak.

The Highlanders (18-7) entered the week ranked ninth among the section’s girls hoops squads while Mt. Miguel (18-6) slipped to second in the latest San Diego Sportswriters/Broadcasters poll behind top-ranked San Diego (24-2).

Despite the setback to Helix, the Matadors retain the top-ranked position among the section’s Division I teams ahead of Mt. Carmel (22-5) and Ramona (19-6). Helix is ranked third among Division I teams behind San Diego and El Camino (19-4) and ahead of Eastlake (22-7).

Santana (17-8) is ranked second behind Valley Center (21-6) among Division III teams.

El Capitan, which met Mt. Miguel in last year’s Division II title game, entered the week 13-10 overall. The Vaqueros are ranked fourth in the division.

Granite Hills (16-10) could also be contending to drive deep into this year’s playoff tournament after entering the week tied for sixth in Division I votes with Montgomery.

At 15-8, Christian is contending for the City Conference Central League title after entering the week with an 8-0 league record.

In games through Feb. 4, three of the top scorers in the section wore East County uniforms: Santana’s Jordan Franey (second, 22.5 points per game), Grossmont’s LaKenya Simon-West (third, 20.6 points per game) and El Capitan’s Allison Duffy (19.9 points per game).

Mt. Miguel’s Jerica Williams and Helix’s Diana Leasau topped the Grossmont South League in scoring by averging 15.5 points per game.

But it was Mele Leasau who totaled 13 points to lead Helix to its upset win against the Matadors, aided by nine points each from teammates Diana Leasau and Brittney Williams. Precious Robinson keyed Mt. Miguel in the game with 14 points but Williams — the 2005 Division II Player of the Year — was held to just two points in the loss.

The Matadors bounced back with a narrow 40-38 victory against Granite Hills on Feb. 10.

The East County leaders among boys hoop squads? That’s a good question with two wins separating the top three teams in the Grossmont South League standings and the top two teams in the Grossmont North League standings separated two by wins.

Granite Hills (18-7), Helix (19-5) and Valhalla (14-11) were the top three teams in the Grossmont South League standings entering the week while Santana (14-10) topped El Capitan (14-11) in the Grossmont North League standings.

With two league games remaining to be played, Granite Hills (7-1) held a one-game edge on Helix (6-2) and a two-game edge on Valhalla (5-3). Santana was 6-1 in league play while El Capitan was 4-2.

Helix entered the week ranked in a tie with Bonita Vista (18-8) for fourth place in Division I voting.

In statistics compiled through Feb. 4, Granite Hills’ Nick Taylor ranked third in section scoring with a 27.0 points per game average, followed by El Capitan’s Cory Brown in sixth place with a 24.3 points per game average.

Christian (17-5) appears positioned for a run at cracking the Division IV semifinals behind top-ranked Horizon Christian (18-3), Francis Parker and Bishop’s.

At 14-9 overall, Venture Christian (7-1 in Citrus South League play) could find itself in the Division V boys playoffs.

As for those championship game dates? All title game matchups will take place at USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion on March 3-4.

In games on March 3, the Division IV girls championship will be contested at 2 p.m., followed by the Division IV boys championship game at 4 p.m., the Division II girls championship game at 6 p.m. and the Division II boys championship game at 8 p.m.

In games on March 4, the parade of six title games tips off at 9:30 a.m. with the Division V girls matchup, followed by the Division V boys championship at 11:15 a.m., the Division III girls championship at 1 p.m., the Division III boys championship at 2:45 p.m., the Division I girls championship at 6 p.m. and the Division I boys championship at 8 p.m.

Adult tickets are $10 with students and seniors admitted for $8. VIP courtside seating is available for $16 per game. Tickets go on sale at the Jenny Craig Pavilion ticket office and at the San Diego Section office (6401 Linda Vista Road,
Room 504) Feb. 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets may also be ordered online at www.usdtoreros.com.

Metro Conference update
Last year, eight South Bay squads advanced as far as the quarterfinal round in the San Diego Section divisional playoffs, with two teams reaching the semifinals. This season, two boys teams entered the final week of regular season play ranked among the top 10 section teams in the latest San Diego Sportswriters/Broadcasters poll (Eastlake at fourth and Hilltop at 10th), with another (Bonita Vista) earning honorable mention status. One girls team (Eastlake at 10th) was likewise ranked among the top 10 section teams, with another (Montgomery) earning honorable mention status.

The CIF playoffs tip off Feb. 21.

Boys roundup
Eastlake took a 24-1 record into Wednesday’s Mesa League finale (Feb. 15) against Southwest after having clinched this year’s Mesa League title with last Friday’s dramatic 56-54 victory at Bonita Vista. The Titans, who entered the week ranked second in the section in scoring defense (eight in scoring offense), improved to 9-0 in league play as Stephen Carr put in two points after a missed shot by teammate Marlon King just before the final buzzer sounded to alternately thrill and exasperate yet another capacity crowd drawn whenever these two teams have met this season.

Eastlake leads the series 3-0, with the last two league wins coming by nail-biting decisions after the teams’ initial encounter in the final of the 2005 Spartan Classic, a 61-44 Titan victory. Eastlake topped the Barons (18-8) by a 53-52 score in the teams’ first league matchup in front of an estimated 2,000 fans in the Titans’ gym on Jan. 20.

The rematch at Bonita Vista drew a crowd estimated at 1,500.

There’s a chance the two South Bay rivals could meet a fourth time in the upcoming Division I playoffs. Southwest (17-9), Chula Vista (11-13) and Montgomery (9-16) are also Division I teams this season as is South Bay League runner-up Otay Ranch, thus making an early-round playoff encounter between one or more of the aforementioned South Bay squads more than just a possibility.

Four Titans scored in double figures in the latest win against Bonita Vista: Carr (16), King (14), Kareem Rodriguez (13) and Derek Jackson (12). King caught fire down the stretch run to ignite the Eastlake rally after the Barons had led by eight points in the third quarter.

Bonita Vista’s Pierce Hunter — one of the South Bay’s most gifted multi-sport athletes — paced all scorers in the game with 17 points while teammate Desmaan Robinson contributed 13 points. Both Hunter and Robinson totaled 10 rebounds in the contest.

Southwest entered Wednesday’s league finale with a 7-2 league record, one game ahead of third-place Bonita Vista (6-3). The Raiders took over second place in the league standings by virtue of last Friday’s 62-30 win against visiting Sweetwater (0-9, 1-24) as DeQuonta Webster (14) and Mark Villaroman (12) each scored in double figures.

Southwest had previously defeated the Barons to put a new spin on the league title chase.

Chula Vista kept its playoff hopes alive with last Friday’s 67-57 victory against visiting Montgomery. Miguel Monteon threw in 22 points and Jorge Villalobos tacked on 15 points to lead the Spartans, who improved to 3-6 in league play after posting an 8-7 non-league record.

The Mesa League is tough this season and not just because of the Titans.

Hilltop, which entered the week ranked sixth in the section in scoring offense, wrapped up its second consecutive South Bay League title after defeating visiting Mar Vista, 81-53, last Friday. Gabe Wessel racked up a game-high 28 points and Gabriel Alcala cranked in 21 points to lead the Lancers (9-0, 21-4). Wessel had 11 rebounds in the game.

The Lancers are expected to contend for a top four seed in the Division II playoffs.

Otay Ranch (7-2, 14-10) moved a step closer to securing second place in the South Bay League standings after defeating San Ysidro, 82-23 last Friday. Four Mustangs scored in double digits: RaNee Woods (13), Dexter McDuffie (12), Domenic Cosentino (12) and Robert Perry (10). Otay Ranch (ranked eighth in the section in scoring defense) led the Cougars (2-7, 3-20) by a whopping 28-5 score after the first period and increased that lead to 47-11 at halftime. San Ysidro failed to reach double digits in a quarter, limited to four points in the third quarter and eight points in the final quarter.

Marian Catholic (6-3, 8-15) defeated Castle Park (0-9, 2-21) by a 48-44 score last Friday to sew up at least a third-place league finish.

Among Division I schools, Eastlake is ranked second behind La Costa Canyon (22-4).

In games through Feb. 12, Hilltop’s Wessel lead the conference in scoring by averaging 18.9 points per game, followed by Eastlake"s Carr (17.5) and Bonita Vista’s Robinson (15.9).

Girls roundup
The South County leaders among girls hoop squads? Eastlake (22-7) improved to 9-0 in Mesa League play after last Friday’s 74-50 win at Bonita Vista (20-5) while Marian Catholic (9-0, 22-4) appears to have repeated as the South Bay League champion after downing host Castle Park, 69-22, also last Friday.

Brittany Daniel keyed the Titans (ranked fourth in the section in scoring offense) with 15 points while teammate Jessie Schmuckal pumped in 14 points. Eastlake led 36-28 at halftime and outscored the hosts 38-22 in the second half. Misa Howell keyed the Barons (10th in the section in scoring defense) with 11 points.

Marian Catholic’s Anitra McCain led all scorers in the Crusader’s game against Castle Park with 21 points.
Montgomery (8-2, 17-8) defeated Chula Vista, 55-33, last Friday to take a step toward securing second place in the Mesa League standings as Kala Cheers (16), Danisha Corbett (15) and Cassie Klockgether (14) all reached double digits on the scoresheet. The Spartans fell to 10-17 overall, 2-7 in league play.

In the South Bay League, Hilltop improved to 14-12 (7-2 in league play) after running past visiting Mar Vista, 79-46, last Friday. Lindsey Beckner and Ashley Walkup keyed the Lancers with 16 points apiece as 13 players scored in the game for Hilltop, which led 25-14 at halftime.

San Ysidro (Division II) and Otay Ranch (Division I) are both hovering near the .500 mark, with chances to make the playoffs in their respective divisions.

In games reported through Feb. 12, Montgomery’s Corbett paced the conference in scoring with a 17.0 points per game average, followed by Eastlake’s Daniel (16.1) and Schmuckal (13.8) and Chula Vista’s Latasha Dowell (13.7).

Eastlake Titans remain king of the court, for now

CHULA VISTA, Jan. 20 -- Capacity crowds seem to bring out the best in teams and that was definitely the case during Friday’s highly anticipated first-round meeting between the Bonita Vista and Eastlake boys basketball teams. In front of a full house at Eastlake High School, the host Titans edged the Barons by a 53-52 score.

The rivalry game was every bit as dramatic as the final score might suggest.

It also kept Eastlake (17-1) undefeated in Mesa League play at 3-0. Bonita Vista (14-5, 2-1) hosts the even more highly anticipated rematch on Feb. 10.

The Titans led by as much as seven points early in the fourth quarter but the outcome was decided on free throws taken by Marlon King in the game’s final minute. King finished the game with 13 points, including a half-court prayer three-point shot.

Stephen Carr paced Eastlake with 18 points while Derek Jackson contributed 13 points. However, the Titans had problems dealing with Bonita Vista’s superior size all night long after the Barons made some strategy changes in the wake of the teams’ first meeting this season in the championship game of the Spartan Holiday Classic on Dec. 30.

Pierce Hunter keyed the Barons with 18 points while Desmaan Robinson scored 11 points and Tre Dennis added 10 points. The teams were tied 12-12 after the opening quarter, with Eastlake holding a 25-24 edge at halftime. The second half of play mirrored the first half with the Titans outscoring the visitors by three points in the third quarter and Bonita Vista owning a three-point edge in the final quarter.

In other Mesa League games Friday (Jan. 20):

Chula Vista 56, Montgomery 50
Miguel Monteon scored 15 points and Kenneth Wilson and Ramiro Gonzalez each scored 14 points to lead the visiting Spartans, who won a second-half scoring battle, 30-21, after trailing the Aztecs 29-26 at halftime. Montgomery’s Daniel Murillo led all scorers in the game with 22 points.

Southwest 67, Sweetwater 36
The visiting Raiders improved to 12-8 overall as DeQuonta Webster scored 16 points and Stephan Towns scored 14 points. Southwest built a 34-19 halftime lead and rang up a 15-7 run in the third quarter to seal the outcome. Fernando Hernandez paced the Red Devils with 13 points.


Mustangs challenge for first-round South Bay League lead

The Otay Ranch Mustangs and Hilltop Lancers both boasted undefeated 3-0 South Bay League records heading into Wednesday’s boys hoops first-round showdown in the Mustangs’ gym (Jan. 25). While high profile contests are nothing new for Hilltop, it appears the Mustangs may need to start getting used to them.

Playing in just its second varsity season, Otay Ranch improved to 3-0 in league play (10-6 overall) after defeating host San Ysidro on Friday, Jan. 20. Domenic Cosentino (14) and Robert Perry (12) each reached double figures in scoring for the Mustangs, who dominated the Cougars (1-14, 0-3) on the scoreboard early with leads of 18-7 and 40-13 after the opening two quarters, respectively. The Otay Ranch defense held San Ysidro to single-digit scoring in each quarter by allowing five points in the third quarter and six points in the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs tipped off league play with victories against Mar Vista (75-41) and Castle Park (93-34) on Jan. 13 and Jan. 18, respectively.

Other key wins for Otay Ranch include a 61-46 victory against defending San Diego Section Division II champion Steele Canyon in the West Hills Wolf Pack/Horsman tournament prior to winter break and victories against Glendale (Ariz.) and La Sierra (Riverside) in a pair of non-league encounters on Dec. 30 and Jan. 7, respectively.

The Mustangs are keyed by Cosentino, an all-league returner, and Perry, whom coach Howard Suda has credited with, in his words, “taking charge of the team.”

Other major contributors Suda lists in the team’s lineup are 6-7 junior RaNee Woods and 6-5 senior Dexter McDuffie.

Otay Ranch will play Orange County’s Santa Margarita in Saturday’s Southern California Coaches Classic Shootout at Carlsbad High School (Jan. 28). Santa Margarita is led by 6-9 James Keefe (committed to UCLA) and Jon Gunderson (committed to Santa Clara). Tip-off is 4 p.m.

Other games include La Canada against St. Augustine at 1 p.m., Torrance against Rancho Bernardo at 2:30 p.m., Fairfax against Poway at 6 p.m. and Mater Dei against Carlsbad at 8 p.m.

Hilltop had reached the 3-0 plateau in league play by defeating host Mar Vista, 70-40, last Friday. Five Lancers, led by Gabe Wessel’s 18 points, scored in double digits. Hilltop (14-4, 3-0) capped the game with a 20-6 scoring run in the final quarter after leading 36-20 at halftime. Pike sank three long-range three-point shots for the Lancers while Jason Cook (18) and Erik Martinez (11) both scored in double digits for Mar Vista (1-2, 5-13).

In another South Bay League game Friday (Jan. 20):

Marian Catholic 68, Castle Park 49
Boogie Blossom led all scorers in the game with 25 points but the visiting Trojans could not outscore the Crusaders (4-12, 2-1) in any quarter. Marian Catholic finished the game with three players in double figures.

Eastlake, Daniel shine in Winter Showcase victory
The Eastlake girls basketball team got a chance to participate in the Winter Showcase last Saturday at Cathedral Catholic High School and made the most of it by shining through with a 76-49 victory against Bakersfield Stockdale, the defending Central Section Division I champions. Brittany Daniel keyed the Titans with 20 points while also contributing 13 rebounds, eight steals and four assists.

Daniel is no stranger to the spotlight after being named among the nominees to participate in the McDonald’s All-America high school basketball games March 29 at San Diego State University. Finalists will be named in February for the prestigious event.

Eastlake, which improved to 12-6 overall, opened a 35-18 halftime lead on the strength of a 23-8 scoring edge in the second quarter. Stockdale matched the Titans with 19 points in the third quarter but Eastlake ran off with the victory by outscoring the Bakersfield team by 10 points, 22-12, in the final quarter.

Three players — Melanie Robbins (15), Jessie Schmuckal (14) and Brittany Palmer (12) — joined Daniel in double-figure scoring.

The Titans were coming off an emotional 78-55 victory against Bonita Vista the previous day in a clash of Mesa League unbeatens. Schmuckal paced Eastlake with 19 points while both Daniel and Palmer contributed 15 points to the victory. The Titans roared on the court with a 30-8 scoring explosion in the second quarter after taking a 22-13 first-quarter lead.

Eastlake improved to 3-0 in league play with the win after posting previous league victories against Chula Vista (91-33) on Jan. 18 and Sweetwater (86-23) on Jan. 13.

Palmer had 23 points and Schmuckal had 20 points in the high-scoring win against Chula Vista that saw the Titans take a 31-6 lead after the opening quarter. Palmer had 24 points in the win against Sweetwater as Eastlake got off to a 27-3 start.

Prep baskeball season enters second half:
Mt. Miguel girls retain No. 1 San Diego Section ranking
As the high school basketball season has reached the midpoint of its 2005-06 season, several East County teams have found themselves among the San Diego Section leaders. In polls released by the San Diego Sportswriters/Sportswriters Association, Mt. Miguel was ranked first among the section’s girls teams in games through Jan. 16 with a 13-5 record while Helix (14-6) also found itself with a top 10 section ranking (seventh), with Santana (13-6) and El Capitan (10-9) both rated among the section’s honorable mentions. Helix’s boys team (15-3) was rated among the section’s honorable mentions.

East County finished with four divisional champions last season, with Mt. Miguel (Division II) and Santana (Division III) winning girls titles and Helix (Division I) and Steele Canyon (Division II) winning boys championships.

Girls hoops
Three-time defending San Diego Section champion Mt. Miguel had bounded to a 3-0 start in Grossmont South League play in games through Jan. 23, followed by Helix and Granite Hills (12-8) both with 2-1 league records and Steele Canyon at 11-8 overall.

Mt. Miguel opened the season by winning the La Jolla Country Day Sweet Sixteen tournament by topping Perris, 64-49, and finished second in the Santana-Horseman Christmas Classic after dropping a 55-40 title contest to Fullerton Troy. Granite Hills won the Navy Division championship of the Sportland Classic and finished second in the Sportland holiday tournament while Helix was third at the Granite Hills Invitational.

Granite Hills showed its strength with a 47-45 victory against fourth-ranked Santana in the Sportland Elite Eight tournament Jan. 7 at Mount Miguel High School. In the same tournament field, Mt. Miguel downed fifth-ranked La Jolla Country Day by a 5r1-45 score in a battle of top 10-ranked teams.

Players to watch in the Grossmont South League include Jerica Williams (Mt. Miguel), Monique Clayton (Mt. Miguel), Previous Roinson (Mt. Miguel), Morgan Sabala (Granite Hills), Joy Edwards (Granite Hills), Brittney Williams (Helix), Mele Leasau (Helix), Diana Leasau (Helix), Ashley Miller (Monte Vista), Bree Martin (Valhalla), Celeste Martins (Steele Canyon), Tina Merlino (Steele Canyon) and Kelly Hansen (Steele Canyon).

In Grossmont North League girls play, Santana (3-0) and El Capitan (2-0) were both undefeated chased by once-beaten Grossmont (1-2) with a 14-7 overall record and West Hills at 10-10 overall.

Santana is coached by Wade Vickery, the winningest girls basketball coach in San Diego Section history with more than 600 wins (he reached that milestone mark after his Sultans topped Grossmont, 55-54, on Jan. 17).

El Capitan and Santana offered a preseason preview of the Grossmont North League race by meeting in a Santana-Horsman Automotive Christmas Classic consolation game on Dec. 30, with El Capitan coming off the court with a 47-35 victory.

Santana won the championship of the Santana Pre-Christmas tournament and finished third in the Santana Pepsi tournament, also played before the winter break, while El Capitan was second in the Granite Hills Invitational.

Grossmont won the Grossmont Thanksgiving Classic with a 57-36 title game vicory agianst Steele Canyon to tip off the season and finished second in the Cougar Holiday Classic and Kiwanis tournaments. West Hills placed second in the Aztec Holiday Invitational to tourney-host Montgomery and also took a runner-up finish in the Patrick Henry tournament. El Cajon Valley placed second in the Crawford Lady Colts tournament.

Players to watch in the Grossmont North League include Jordan Franey (Santana), Shae Bass (Santana), Danielle Balough (Santana), Ashley Baker (Santana), Allison Duffy (El Capitan), Mallorie Montgomery (El Capitan), Ashley Duffy (El Capitan), La’Kenya Simon-West (Grossmont), Therese Riedel (Grossmont), Megan Ehmke (West Hills), Dalia Ghandour (West Hills), Muaau Naderhoff (West Hills) and Veronica Tamai (El Cajon Valley).

Christian (9-8) jump-started play in the City Conference Central League with a 2-0 start to tie Coronado (12-7) for the early league lead.

Section leaders included top-ranked Mt. Miguel (13-5), second-ranked San Diego (18-2), third-ranked Mt. Carmel (18-3), fourth-ranked La Jolla Country Day (9-8), fifth-ranked Ramona (14-5), sixth-ranked Bishop’s (17-1), seventh-ranked Helix (14-6), eighth-ranked Rancho Bernardo (16-3), ninth-ranked El Camino (13-4) and 10th-ranked Poway (15-3).

Boys hoops
Though no Grossmont Conference boys team was listed among the top 10 section rankings, a total of seven East County squads owned winning records.

Helix (15-3) and Granite Hills (14-6) both led the Grossmont South League standings after 3-0 league starts, with Monte Vista following with a 10-8 overall record.

Helix, which finished third in the Spartan Holiday Classic over winter break, raced to its seventh consecutive win (and 10th in 11 starts) by defeating Valhalla, 71-56, on Jan. 20 as Lawrence Hurdle scored a game-high 26 points to complement teammate Aaron Tinsley’s 15 points. Paul Martins and Keith Williams both scored in double digits for the Norsemen (9-10 overall).

Granite Hills, which finished third in the Granite Hills-Sportland tournament over the holidays, is led in season scoring by Nick Taylor, though Branden Pride scored 18 points to lead Granite Hills past Mt. Miguel, 49-40, on Jan. 20.

Other players to watch among Grossmont South League teams include Brandon Fountain (Helix), David Jefferson (Helix), Clark Gordon (Granite Hills), Brian Humphries (Granite Hills), Warren Thodile (Mt. Miguel), Richard Jackson (Mt. Miguel), Brett Hansen (Valhalla), Jeff Soptata (Valhalla), Ryan Slade (Monte Vista), Jamar Ransome (Monte Vista), Roshun Wynne (Monte Vista), Tony Minnifield (Steele Canyon), Jarabi Robinson (Steele Canyon) and Emory Mitchell (Steele Canyon).

Santana (11-9) had opened up a 3-0 edge in the Grossmont North League standings ahead of West Hills (11-9) and El Capitan (10-9).

Santana defeated West Hills, 53-40, in a key match-up on Jan. 20 as senior Ricky Michaelmore led the Sultans with 19 points. West Hills has won the last three league championships while Santana is searching for its first league crown in 18 seasons.

In holiday tournaments, El Capitan finished second in the Sweetwater tournament while West Hills placed third in the Central Desert Shootout. Santana defeated Mt. Miguel in the consolation championship of the Grossmont Winter Classic while Mt. Miguel defeated Grossmont to capture the consolation championship of the Spartan Holiday Classic.

Players to watch among Grossmont North League teams include Cory Brown (El Capitan), Kyle Hamann (West Hills), Chris Lifgren (West Hills), Jon Hernandez (Santana), Khalid Waters (Grossmont), Dominic Elder (Grossmont), Luis Gonzalez (Grossmont), Justin Rutherford (Grossmont), Ian Cochrane (Grossmont), Chris Reynalds (El Cajon Valley) and Nate Schad (El Cajon Valley).

Brown, a senior, stands 6-feet 9 inches tall and commands extra defensive attention from opposing teams. Football standout Abraham Muheize has rejoined the El Cajon Valley lineup after missing the first half of the season with a thumb injury.

Christian – led by Paulius Ivanauskas, Andrius Mikutis, Viktor Asaciovas, Daniel Hazlett and Derek Larsen — boasted a 13-3 overall record and 1-1 league mark as a member of the City Conference Central League. Christian dropped a 76-72 league game to 10th-ranked Crawford (21-6) on Jan. 20, showing the Patriots can compete with the section’s elite squads.

Top boys teams in the section included top-ranked La Costa Canyon (16-4), second-ranked San Pasqual (20-1), third-ranked Serra (18-2), fourth-ranked El Camino (15-5), fifth-ranked Hoover (15-4), sixth-ranked Eastlake (17-1), seventh-ranked Francis Parker (14-3), eighth-ranked Horizon Christian (12-3), ninth-ranked St. Augustine (15-3) and 10th-ranked Crawford (12-8).

Eastlake Titans win first-half South County bragging rights; can they win a second-half league title?
CHULA VISTA, Jan. 13, 2006 -- The question for the second half of the 2005-06 high school boys basketball season appears to be the same as it was during the first half: can anyone catch the streaking Eastlake Titans?

Eastlake hiked its school-record start to 14-1 after jump-starting Mesa League play on Friday (Jan. 13) with a 58-21 victory against Sweetwater. Before that, the Titans posted a pair of impressive non-league wins against defending South Bay League champion Hilltop (74-58) and San Diego (81-57) that secured bragging rights to the best record among South County teams.

The best in the south? Consider this:

Eastlake, which entered league play ranked third among San Diego Section Division I teams, defeated Mesa League rival Bonita Vista, 61-44, in the championship game of the 18th annual Spartan Holiday Classic at Chula Vista High School on Dec. 30. The Spartan Holiday Classic tournament title was the second in a row for Eastlake, which had just returned from a 3-0 tournament showing in Kodiak, Alaska. The Titans tipped off the season with a second-place finish in their own tournament, the Titan Tip-Off Classic in early December.

The Jan. 6 win against visiting Hilltop, which bounded to a 24-2 regular season record last year, was a further measuring stick for Eastlake, which now owns a 2-0 mark against its two chief South County rivals.

The Lancers, meanwhile, dropped to 0-2 in back-to-back match-ups against the Mesa League’s two power-house teams after falling by a single point to visiting Bonita Vista on Jan. 4.

Stephen Carr paced the Titans with 23 points in the victory against Hilltop (10-4) while 6-5 teammate Derek Jackson contributed 16 points. Karem Rodriguez, who scored 14 points, contributed a thundering slam-dunk in the contest to highlight Eastlake’s offensive prowess on the court.

Gabe Wessel led all scorers in the contest with 26 points as the Lancers, who trailed 37-27 at halftime.
Eastlake continued its momentum with its non-league victory at San Diego High on Jan. 7 as Carr lit up the scoreboard with 31 points and Marlon King added 16 points. The Titans broke the game open with a 23-12 third-quarter run.

In the league opener against Sweetwater, Jackson led the Titans with 14 points while King added nine points. Eastlake led 15-4 after the opening quarter and 36-8 at halftime.

Mesa League
In other league openers on Jan. 13, Bonita Vista (13-4) turned back visiting Chula Vista (8-8) by a 64-49 score while Southwest (11-7) topped visiting Montgomery (7-10) by a 61-38 score.

Four Bonita Vista players scored in double figures: Desmaan Robinson (16), Mark Kiefer (15), Tre Dennis (10) and Pierce Hunter (10). Robinson won the battle of the boards with 15 rebounds.

Stephan Towns keyed Southwest with 14 points as the Raiders broke open a tight game with a 19-4 second-quarter run.

South Bay League
In league openers on Jan. 13, Hilltop (12-4) battered host Castle Park, 86-44, while Otay Ranch (8-7) downed visiting Mar Vista, 75-41, and Marian Catholic (2-11) edged host San Ysidro (1-12) by a 49-40 score.
In Hilltop’s win, Gabe Wessel scored 28 points, Gabriel Alcala contributed 14 points and Rodger Davis added 13 points.

Girls basketball
•Bonita Vista (15-2) tipped off Mesa League play with a 52-39 victory against visiting Chula Vista (5-10) on Jan. 13 as Stephanie Clark scored 18 points.

•Eastlake (9-5) pounded host Sweetwater (3-10) by an 86-23 score in another Mesa League opener on Jan. 13 as Brittany Palmer scored 24 points and Jessie Schmuckal added 18 points.

•In South Bay League openers on Jan. 13, Hilltop (7-10) used a 24-9 opening-quarter burst to bounce past host Castle Park, 62-42, while Otay Ranch (7-9) stopped visiting Mar Vista, 64-35, and Marian Catholic (14-4) turned back host San Ysidro, 66-47, on the strength of 22 points by Ebone Henry.

•Eastlake participated in the Sportland Elite Eight Classic on Jan. 7 and scored an 84-37 win against Mira Mesa as five players scored in double digits: Brittany Daniel (17), Palmer (16), Shatori Dearman (16), Schmuckal (14) and Mercedes Griffis (11). Eastlake blew open the game with a 21-12 second-quarter run and 44-14 second-half scoring explosion.

2004-05 San Diego Section Basketball Scrapbook

2005 International Sports Invitational

Metro Conference All-League Teams

Road to the State Championship

Girls State Finalists
ARCO Arena, Sacramento
Division I: Oakland Tech (21-6) vs. Canyon Springs (31-3), March 19 at 6 p.m.
Division II: Archbishop Mitty (29-5) vs. Troy (32-0), March 18 at 8 p.m.
Division III: St. Mary’s-Stockton (30-4) vs. Bishop Amat (34-0), March 19 at 1 p.m.
Division IV: Piedmont (32-2) vs. Brentwood (24-6), March 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Division V: Pinewood (25-5) vs. Pacific Hills (28-4), March 18 at 4 p.m.
Qualifiers by section: Southern (5), Sac-Joaquin (2), Central Coast (1), North Coast (1), Oakland (1)

Boys State Finalists
ARCO Arena, Sacramento
Division I: Serra (26-7) s. Westchester (24-3), March 19 at 8 p.m.
Division II: Oak Ridge (30-4) vs. Mater Dei (31-3), March 18 at 6 p.m.
Division III: Santa Cruz (35-1) vs. St. Augustine (31-0), March 19 at 2:45 p.m.
Division IV: St. Mary’s-Berkeley (29-4) vs. Campbell Hall (31-0), March 19 at 11:15 a.m.
Division V: Branson (30-5) vs. Price (28-4), March 18 at 2 p.m.
Qualifiers by section: Southern (3), Central Coast (2), North Coast (2), Sac-Joaquin (1), Los Angeles (1), San Diego (1).

San Diego Section Finals

BOYS BASKETBALL
Division I: (5) Helix 58, (2) El Camino 54, Records: Helix (25-5); El Camino (24-7).
Division II: (1) Steele Canyon 46, Scripps Ranch 43. Records: Steele Canyon 29-1; Scripps Ranch 19-10.
Division III: (1) St. Augustine 74, (2) Crawford 58. Records: St. Augustine 28-0; Crawford 14-16.
Division IV: (1) Horizon 72, (2) Bishop’s 67. Records: Horizon Christian 25-4; Bishop’s 22-7.
Division V: (2) Calvin Christian 48, (1) Santa Fe Christian 45. Records: Calvin Christian 19-8; Santa Fe Christian 21-8.

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Division I: (3) Carlsbad 58, (1) San Diego 54. Records: Carlsbad 25-4; San Diego 26-5.
Division II: (1) Mt. Miguel 53, (2) El Capitan 47. Records: Mt. Miguel 29-1; El Capitan 25-5.
Division III: (1) Santana 47, (3) Valley Center 39. Records: Santana 25-5; Valley Center 16-14.
Division IV: (1) La Jolla Country Day 59, (3) Bishop’s 47. Records: La Jolla Country Day 22-6; Bishop’s 20-9.
Division V: (2) Santa Fe Christian 41, (4) Calipatria 34. Records: Santa Fe Christian 17-12; Calipatria 13-16.

Feature stories

Grossmont Conference all-league teams

Boys Division II: Steele Canyon moves up

Girls Division II: Mt. Miguel three-peats

Helix boys, Santana girls win CIF titles

East County teams rise, fall in state regional playoffs 

San Diego Section Playoff Previews

Grossmont Conference/Metro Conference

Metro Conference Midterm report:

Eastlake, Hilltop still making the grade

Steele Canyon Cougars open hoops season 14-0
 

By Phillip Brents

Fourteen and zero. The win-loss record reads like a magical journey at the midpoint of the season and for the Steele Canyon High School boys basketball team, the 2004-05 campaign has played out like the perfect encore after capturing last season’s San Diego Section Division III championship title.

Both Mayfair and Muir had received top 25 rankings in California while Orange Lutheran  was ranked ninth among Orange County teams.

Girls basketball report
Three East County teams entered mid-January ranked among the San Diego Section’s top five teams. Defending Division II champion Mount Miguel held down the top-ranked position by virtue of its 15-1 record, followed by fourth-ranked El Capitan (12-2) and fifth-ranked Santana (15-2). Mount Miguel and El Capitan owned honors as the top two ranked Division II teams while Santana stood as the top-ranked Division III team.

Metro Conference Report

Titans win Metro showcase game

Eastlake defeats Hilltop 71-68 in final seconds

By Phillip Brents

Photo: Hilltop's Luke Kelley evades Eastlake's Marlano Batson  for two points in first-half action.

CHULA VISTA, Jan. 7, 2004 -- Stephen Carr scored a team-high 27 points and Marlon King added 15 points to lead Eastlake to a 71-68 non-league victory at Hilltop in a game pitting the top-ranked teams in the Metro Conference's Mesa League and South Bay League.

The Titans improved to 11-2 while the Lancers fell to 12-2.

Hilltop entered the contest ranked sixth in the San Diego Section while Eastlake owned a top 10 Division I ranking.

The Titans, after trailing in the opening seconds of the high profile matchup, regrouped to take a 19-15 edge into the second quarter. That only set up a game Hilltop squad for a 17-12 run to lead 32-31 at halftime. The Titans regained their momentum by outscoring the Lancers 22-16 in the third quarter to lead 53-48 entering the final quarter.

With the score tied at 68 with less than 20 seconds to play, Carr completed a three-point play to provide the margin of victory in front of a packed gymnasium.

Luke Kelley paced Hilltop with a game-high 28 points, followed by teammate Gabe Wessel with 15 points.

Eastlake opened the evening with a 70-60 overtime victory in the junior varsity game.

Box score:

Eastlake - 71

Hilltop - 68

Score by quarters: (1) Eastlake 19, Hilltop 15; (2) Hilltop 32, Eastlake 31; (3) Eastlake 53, Hilltop 48; (4) Eastlake 71, Hilltop 68.

Eastlake scoring: Carr 27; King 15; Rodriguez 11; Chacon 7; Edmonds 6; Batson 2.

Hilltop scoring: Kelley 28; Wessel 15; Orozco 10; Wynne 6; Vallero 5; Pike 3; Davis 3.

Lancers earn respect, claim tourney title

By Phillip Brents
Posted Dec. 24, 2004

2004-2005 Titan schedule
Dec. 27-30: Granite Hills Holiday Hoops Festival
Jan. 7: Eastlake at Hilltop, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8: Poway at Eastlake, 7 p.m. (Clash of the Titans)
Jan. 14: Sweetwater at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
Jan. 17: Martin Luther King Showcase at Hoover High School, TBA
Jan. 19: Eastlake at Chula Vista, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21: Eastlake at Bonita Vista, 7 p.m.
Jan. 22: Desert Heat Challenge II, Cajon (Riverside), Catherdral City (Palm Springs), 4 p.m.
Jan. 26: Montgomery at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28: Southwest at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
Feb. 4: Eastlake at Sweetwater, 7 p.m.
Feb. 8: Chula Vista at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
Feb. 10: Bonita Vista at Eastlake, 7 p.m.
 

2003-04 Metro Conference Basketball Report

(1) Carlsbad 84, Bonita Vista 40

La Costa Canyon 91, San Marcos 55

Mt. Carmel 74, West Hills 63

Southwest (San Diego) 65, (4) Rancho Bernardo 61

(3) Torrey Pines 69, Morse 48

Fallbrook 52, Eastlake 49

Carlsbad 85, Chula Vista 73

(2) San Diego 73, Poway 55

(1) El Camino 100, La Costa Canyon 83

Southwest 49, Mt. Carmel 39

(3) Torrey Pines 63, Fallbrook 55

(2) San Diego 61, Carlsbad 58

(1) El Camino 61, Southwest 36

(2) San Diego 37, (3) Torrey Pines 34

(1) El Camino 67, (2) San Diego 43

Final records: El Camino 30-2; San Diego 24-5; Torrey Pines 24-6; Southwest 17-13; La Costa Canyon 18-11; Mt. Carmel 18-11; Carlsbad 17-12; Fallbrook 16-14; Rancho Bernardo 20-9; Eastlake 19-8; Chula Vista 17-11; Poway 16-11; San Marcos 16-12; Morse 16-12; West Hills 15-12; Bonita Vista 13-14.

(1) Helix (bye)

Monte Vista 54, San Pasqual 47

Oceanside 53, El Capitan 46

(4) Serra 68, Ramona 48

(3) Scripps Ranch 83, Castle Park 79

Mt. Miguel 87, Patrick Henry 46

Grossmont 65, Valhalla 62 (OT)

(2) Escondido (bye)

(1) Helix 61, Monte Vista 54 (OT)

(4) Serra 54, Oceanside 51

(3) Scripps Ranch 60, Mt. Miguel 53

(2) Escondido 83, Grossmont 78

(1) Helix 56, (4) Serra 54

(2) Escondido 67, (3) Scripps Ranch 63

(2) Escondido 60, (1) Helix 59

Final records: Escondido 21-8; Helix 23-7; Serra 18-9; Scripps Ranch 17-12; Mt. Miguel 16-13; Monte Vista 15-13; Oceanside 15-13; Grossmont 15-13; Valhalla 16-11; San Pasqual 15-12; Ramona 11-15; El Capitan 10-15; Castle Park 9-13; Patrick Henry 6-19.

(1) La Jolla (bye)

Valley Center 69, Misison Bay 63

(5) St. Augustine (bye)

(4) Central Union (bye)

(3) Steele Canyon (bye)

Clairemont 66, San Dieguito Academy

USDHS 71, Madison 59

(2) Brawley (bye)

(1) La Jolla 77, Valley Center 69

(5) St. Augustine 85, (4) Central Union 81

(3) Steele Canyon 61, Clairemont 46

(2) Brawley 74, USDHS 71

(1) La Jolla 66, (5) St. Augustine 51

(3) Steele Canyon, 58, (2) Brawley 56

(1) La Jolla 62, (3) Steele Canyon 47

Final records: La Jolla 23-7; Steele Canyon 16-14; Brawley 22-4; St. Augustine 11-13; Central Union 17-9; Clairemont 15-9; USDHS 12-15; Valley Center 10-19; San Dieguito Academy 14-13; Madison 9-13; ; Mission Bay 7-13.

(1) Horizon Christian (bye)

Bishop’s (bye)

(5) Coronado (bye)

(4) La Jolla Country Day (bye)

(3) Marian Catholic (bye)

Francis Parker (bye)

Palo Verde (bye)

(2) Lincoln (bye)

(1) Horizon 88, Bishop’s 35

(5) Coronado 58, (4) La Jolla Country Day 52

(3) Marian Catholic 60, Francis Parker 44

(2) Lincoln 91, Palo Verde 71

(1) Horizon 76, (5) Coronado 24

(2) Lincoln 98, (3) Marian Catholic 84 (OT)

(1) Horizon 79, (2) Lincoln 64

Final records: Horizon 28-1; Lincoln 28-3; Marian Catholic 24-5; Coronado 20-6; La Jolla Country Day 17-10; Francis Parker 14-12; Bishop’s 11-16; Palo Verde 10-16.

(1) Santa Fe Christian (bye)

West Shores 56, San Pasqual Academy 51

(5) Calvary Christian

(4) Midway Baptist

(3) Tri City Christian

Vincent Memorial 68, Escondido Adventist 51

Calvin Christian 72, Lutheran 60

(2) Julian (bye)

(1) Santa Fe Christian 98, West Shores 31

(4) Midway Baptist 52, (5) Calvary Christian 45

(3) Tri City Christian 75, Vincent Memorial 49

(2) Julian 86, Calvin Christian 73

(1) Santa Fe Christian 76, (4) Midway Baptist 34

(2) Julian 66, (3) Tri City Christian 65

(1) Santa Fe Christian 79, (2) Julian 50

Final records: Santa Fe 26-6; Julian 23-5; Tri City Christian 18-10; Midway Baptist 16-8; Calvary Chapel 15-8; Vincent Memorial 13-10; West Shores 8-15; Calvin Christian 5-20; San Pasqual Academy 8-13; Escondido Adventist 5-17; Lutheran 17-9.

(1) El Camino 74, Southwest (San Diego) 37

West Hills 60, Granite Hills 49

Mt. Carmel 53, Bonita Vista 32

(4) Rancho Bernardo 73, Fallbrook 49

Mira Mesa 52, (3) Carlsbad 41

Poway 49, Chula Vista 37

La Costa Canyon 54, Eastlake 52

(2) San Diego 107, Calexico 37

El Camino 64, West Hills 42

Rancho Bernardo 80, Mt. Carmel 70

Poway 46, Mira Mesa 36

San Diego 103, La Costa Canyon 52

El Camino 47, Rancho Bernardo 35

Poway 68, San Diego 62

El Camino 66, Poway 34

Final records: El Camino 26-4; Poway 20-10; San Diego 23-5; Rancho Bernardo 22-7; La Costa Canyon 19-10; West Hills 17-12; Mt. Carmel 17-12; Mira Mesa 13-16; Carlsbad 21-8; Bonita Vista 20-6; Eastlake 20-8; Granite Hills 19-9; Chula Vista 16-12; Calexico 14-12; Fallbrook 14-14; Southwest (San Diego) 11-11.

(1) El Capitan (bye)

Grossmont 80, Ramona 60

Santana 67, San Pasqual 53

(4) Serra 65, Monte Vista 37

(3) Orange Glen 70, Helix 39

Scripps Ranch 52, Oceanside 48

Patrick Henry 66, Valhalla 47

(2) Mt. Miguel (bye)

(1) El Capitan 67, Grossmont 59

(4) Serra 54, Santana 41

(3) Orange Glen 58, Scripps Ranch 39

(2) Mt. Miguel 65, Patrick Henry 50

(1) El Capitan 62, (4) Serra 55 (OT)

(2) Mt. Miguel 45, (3) Orange Glen 42

(2) Mt. Miguel 55, (1) El Capitan 49 (OT)

Final records: Mt. Miguel 27-3; El Capitan 21-8; Orange Glen 24-7; Serra 22-6; Santana 24-5; Grossmont 20-10; Scripps Ranch 17-12; Patrick Henry 16-10; Ramona 16-12; Valhalla 16-12; Monte Vista 8-21; Oceanside 8-20; San Pasqual 7-19; Helix 6-19.

First round
Kearny (bye)

Valley Center 70, Brawley 41

(5) University City (bye)

(4) Southwest (Imperial Valley), bye

(3) USDHS (bye)

La Jolla 59, San Dieguito Academy 50

Our Lady of Peace 51, Central Union 38

(2) Mission Bay (bye)

(1) Kearny 72, Valley Center 57

(4) Southwest (Imperial Valley) 40, (5) University City 36

La Jolla 61, (3) USDHS 37

(2) Mission Bay 62, Our Lady of Peace 24

(1) Kearny 92, (4) Southwest (Imperial Valley) 26

(2) Mission Bay 55, La Jolla 53

(2) Mission Bay 59, (1) Kearny 53

Final records: Mission Bay 21-2; Kearny 21-4; Southwest (Imperial Valley) 18-11; La Jolla 13-13; USDHS 16-11; University City 14-13; Valley Center 13-13; Our Lady of Peace 8-18; San Dieguito Academy 14-10; Brawley 12-16; Central Union 8-19.

(1) La Jolla Country Day (bye)

Lincoln 69, Marian Catholic 53

(5) Imperial (bye)

(4) Francis Parker (bye)

(3) Calipatria (bye)

(6) Coronado (bye)

Christian 58, Horizon Christian 41

(2) Bishop’s (bye)

(1) La Jolla Country Day 72, Lincoln 50

(4) Francis Parker 57, (5) Imperial 44

(3) Calipatria 38, (6) Coronado 37

(2) Bishop’s 61, Christian 33

(1) La Jolla Country Day 67, (4) Francis Parker 38

(2) Bishop’s 48, (3) Calipatria 34

(1) La Jolla Country Day 73, (2) Bishop’s 54

Final records: La Jolla Country Day 24-4; Bishop’s 19-6; Calipatria 18-7; Francis Parker 15-13; Coronado 19-9; Chrisitan 17-12; Imperial 15-12; Lincoln 10-13; Marian Catholic 12-15; Horizon 9-19.