Foothills’ Salgado, Leaf nearing section scoring marks

By ECS Staff
Updated: January 7, 2016

2015-16 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

By James McHugh

© East County Sports.com

RANCHO SAN DIEGO (1-7-16) – Foothills Christian began defense of its Coastal League crown Wednesday night (Jan. 6) with a 79-39 win over Horizon. T.J. LEAF led the scoring for Foothills Christian with 25 points, which also moved the senior into sixth place on the San Diego Section’s all-time scoring list. Leaf passed Jeremy Killion who played for Rancho Bernardo and Kearny between 1993-1996.

The Knights jumped out to a 39-16 half time advantage with seniors Leaf and OMAJAE SMTH leading the way with 15 and seven points in the half respectively. Smith finished the night with 18-points before exiting in the fourth quarter.

All of the active Knights got into the action in the blowout. Junior NOAH MEEK is currently out with a foot injury. Senior LUIS SALGADO also added 10-points on the night, including a pair of three pointers that move him to within five career triples of former Foothills Christian guard KALOB HATCHER on the section’s all-time list for three point baskets.

The Knights move to 9-2 on the season after a very tough tournament run and 1-0 in Coastal League play. This Saturday (Dec. 9) Foothills Christian will travel to the Sierra Canyon Super Showcase to take on the top team in the nation, Chino Hills, for the second time this season. The Knights dropped a 106-86 decision to the Huskies in December.

Foothills Christian: TJ Leaf 25 (13 reb, 8 ast, 1 stl), Omajae Smith 18 (4 ast, 1 reb), Luis Salgado 10 (6 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk, 1 reb), Nikko Paranada 9 (4 ast, 1 reb), Jordan Starr 8 (7 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl), Jordan Van Ommering 5 (2 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl), Kale Baldado 2 (2 reb, 1 blk), T.J. Lowery 2 (1 reb, 1 ast), Jaren Nafarrete (2 ast, 2 stl, 1 reb)