Griffins, Knights to square off in tourney title bout

By Bill Dickens
Updated: December 5, 2015

2015-16 GROSSMONT COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL

By James McHugh
© East County Sports.com

EL CAJON (12-5-15) — Grossmont College is headed back to the championship game of its own tournament for the third time in four years as the Griffins ousted College of the Desert 72-53 in the semi-final round Saturday night (Dec. 5).

Grossmont moves on to face San Diego City College Sunday (Dec. 6) at 5 p.m. in the championship game at Grossmont College. These teams have faced off once this season when Grossmont edged the Knights 75-73 in their tournament last month. The teams will face each other two additional times when conference play begins.

Former Helix high star KAELEN MITCHELL scored each of his 21 points in the first half to lead the Griffins. Mitchell’s time was limited in the second half as the Griffins controlled a commanding lead and head coach DOUG WEBER used the time to rotate a bevy of players into the action.

“In the first half we’ve really been doing what we want to do and setting the tempo for the game,” remarked assistant coach and Patrick Henry alum KEVIN BUTTY. “In the second half that intensity has dropped a little the last few games, we still haven’t played a full 40 minutes yet.”

MARCOS MEZA had six first half assists for the Griffins and finished with nine on the night as he too was relegated to spectator for much of the second half. DANIEL McCOWN connected on four, three point attempts for Grossmont (5-3).

The team drained 10-of-33 from long range on the night. Though the numbers weren’t as impressive as they were in the team’s tournament win against Santa Barbara a night earlier, the Griffins got good looks and ball movement was fluid for most of the night.

Grossmont balanced its scoring and received points from every member of the active roster on the night. SPENCER VERING also scored in double digits with a 12-point night and added four rebounds to assist in the semifinal win. The Griffins only attempted five free throws on the night but connected on four for another high percentage outing from the charity stripe.

Now the Griffins will look to knock of San Diego City whom the team defeated when the teams met back on Nov.14^th in the Knights’ own tournament.

“The thing with City is there’s always the intimidation factor. When we beat them we didn’t back down, we just went and got it. What we have to do now is not show up with the attitude that we’ve done this before. They’re still ranked higher, we’re still the underdogs when we face City” Butty remarked when asked about the match-up between the two finalists.

“We’ll need big games from EVIN SHEPHERD and Vering if we’re going to win this. Kaelen has played great so far but other guys are going to have to have a solid game as well” said Butty of the Championship match-up.

San Diego City 72, Cypress 65

In a back and forth contest SDCC edged out the Chargers behind a 24-point performance from Leonard Allen.

Sweetwater grad Spencer Mattox scored 15-points for the Knights before fouling out late in the second half. Jordan Fleck led Cypress with 25-points.

Cypress will face COD Sunday (Dec. 6) at 3 p.m. in the third place game of the tournament.

Cuesta 94, West LA 52

The first game of day two at the Grossmont College Invitational Tournament saw Cuesta catch fire from long range, connecting on 14-of-28 from beyond the arc.

Roberto Montovani led the scoring for the Cougars with 16-points and he also grabbed 14 rebounds. Daniel Solis and Ben Peterson each scored 15 for the Cougars as well

Tuwuan Cargill led West Los Angeles with 13 points in the losing effort. Cuesta moves on to the Consolation Bracket Championship Sunday (Dec. 6) against Santa Barbara at 1 p.m.

Santa Barbara 70, LA Southwest 61