Norsemen spread wealth in sweep at San Ysidro event

By Bill Dickens
Updated: January 3, 2016

2015-16 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
SAN YSIDRO (1-3-16) — The Valhalla Norsemen executed a two-game sweep of Saturday’s (Jan. 2) opening rounds of the San Ysidro Cougar Classic.

G2: VALHALLA 82, IMPERIAL 36 – Valhalla’s quarterfinal rout of Imperial was manufactured by JOHN MURAD, who drilled in 22 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished 3 assists and made 3 steals.

The Norsemen outscored the Tigers 23-10 in the first quarter and turned the game into a blowout with a 32-10 spread in the third period.

Murad scored 13 points in the first quarter and was 3-for-3 from long distance in the third quarter.

Not to be overlooked was the work of NATHAN YOUSIF, who chipped in 10 of his 12 points in the runaway third period.

Ten Norsemen contributed to the romp including 6-foot-3 junior MALIQUE SHAW, who executed a triple-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks

Also collecting a double-double was MATTHEW SAKO with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Valhalla: John Murad 22 (8 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl), Nathan Yousif 12 (6 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl), Malique Shaw 12 (10 reb, 1 ast, 10 blk), Matthew Sako 10 (10 reb), Cole Henderson 8 (10 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl, 2 blk), Daniel Bender 4 (5 reb, 2 blk), Trey Schimke 4 (7 reb), Chris Attiq 4 (2 reb, 1 stl), Jordan Ellis 3 (3 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl), Kai Komaki 3 (5 reb, 2 stl).

G1: VALHALLA 70, SWEETWATER 53 – The Norsemen sped past Sweetwater in the opening round of the San Ysidro Cougar Classic Saturday (Jan. 2), executing an 18-4 first quarter lead.

COLE HENDERSON set the pace for Valhalla with 21 points, including 2 treys and 5-for-7 free throws.

JORDAN ELLIS added 20 points, including a pair of treys and 3-for-4 free throws.

Valhalla: Cole Henderson 21, Jordan Ellis 20, Matthew Sako 9, John Murad 8, Nathan Yousif 7, Trey Schimke 4, Malique Shaw 3.

RAMONA 87, EL CAJON VALLEY 61 – Don’t measure the Braves’ by their non-league encounter at Ramona Saturday (Jan. 2)

They had plenty of standout efforts.

“In the first half we were not in the game,” said El Cajon Valley coach SCOTTY JAMES. “They had a kid hit 8 threes in that half – that was an issue, obviously. They killed us on rebounds.

RONNE READUS recorded 25 points, 20 rebounds and 5 blocks for the Braves, and AHMAD SULYMAN contributed 11 points and 9 assists.

“I was happy how resilient our kids were. We fought till the end. All things considered it was our best game of the season,” James said.

El Cajon Valley: Ronne Readus 25 (20 reb, 5 blk), Ahmad Sulyman 11 (2 reb, 9 ast), Hussein Al-anezi 9 (1 reb, 1 ast), Greg Jones 6 (1 reb, 1 stl), Dmir Witherspoon 4 (4 reb), Mikey Velez 2 (2 reb, 1 ast), Jeremiah Davis 2.