Foothillers smooth out ride after roller coaster first

By ECS Staff
Updated: January 3, 2016

2015-16 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

By Adam Paul
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (1-3-16) — The more things change the more they stay the same as the Grossmont Foothillers won their fifth in a row over the Serra Conquistadors, 63-43, Saturday (Jan. 2).

Things at first looked like it was going to be a laugher for the Foothillers as they stormed out to a 17-4 lead, but the Conquistadors managed an 8-0 run to pull within 15-13 and after one period of play trailed 17-13. Despite leading by only four the Foothillers in the second quarter went back to business and locked down on Serra.

Leading the charge for Grossmont was TOMMY RUTHERFORD who tallied 15 of his 25 points in the first half. Besides the offense, the Hillers clamped down on the defensive end by limiting the Conquistadors to a measly 2 points and taking the period 19-2 which gave them a 36-15 lead at the break.

It wasn’t just Rutherford contributing his usual double-double, which also included 15 boards and 7 assists, but BRANIK BROWN also poured in double digits with his 11 points along with 5 assists.

Grossmont started out the same way they ended the first half with a stellar third period to extend their lead to 25 points leading 49-25 after three quarters of play. With the victory the Foothillers now stand at 13-3.

Grossmont: Tommy Rutherford 25 (15 reb, 7 ast, 2 blk), Branik Brown 11 (3 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl), Matt Murray 7 (4 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl), Hunter Gaines 6 (1 reb, 2 stl), Jacob Niskey 6 (3 ast), Alex Lilliard 4 (1 reb, 1 ast), Damageae Gant 2 (1 ast), Jeremiah Appleton (4 ast), Hunter Mulder ( 1 reb)