Monarchs surge back to finish off Sultans

By Bill Dickens
Updated: February 10, 2016

2015-16 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

By Bill Dickens

© EastCountySports.com

SPRING VALLEY (2-10-16) — All five Monte Vista starters reached double scoring digits in Tuesday’s (Feb. 9) Grossmont Valley League battle of front-runners.

The Monarchs trailed Santana 52-39 in the early stages of the third quarter. However, Santana was outscored 22-5 in the fourth quarter for the 66-59 victory for Monte Vista.

Monte Vista’s TERRY BONE nailed a 3-pointer to cut Santana’s lead to 54-51 in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. SHAI STEVENSON then hit a trey to tie it 54-54.

The Monarchs took command on back-to-back baskets by Stevenson to make it 59-58. BO RANKINS hit a bucket and Stevenson hit two free throws to give the Monarchs a 61-58 advantage. DEONDRE McHAYLE nailed a basket and TRE OWENS added a free throw to put the game on ice with 34 seconds to play.

Santana, which led by 13 points in the third quarter, was unable to mount a comeback and fell short.

Owens led the Monarchs’ attack, hitting 4 of 5 shots from the floor including one trey, and 5 of 8 free throws to finish with 15 points. He also had 7 assists and 5 steals to go along with 3 rebounds.

“We kept our heads on straight,” said Owens. “I have to thank my teammates for covering my weak side.”

McHayle was also a scoring force for the Monarchs, pitching in 15 points to go with 8 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block.

“We played a pretty physical game,” said McHayle. “We moved the ball better and played better defense.”

McHayle was coming off a three-week injury. “It really hurt for me to miss three weeks because of my leg injury,” he said. “So it feels so much better to get back on the floor.”

For Santana TRENT BAUGH set the pace with 17 points to lead. He also grabbed 6 rebounds, dished 3 assists and made 2 steals, while ANTHONY ROMERO added 16 points for the Sultans.
Monte Vista: Shai Stevenson 16 (2 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk), Deondre McHayle 15 (8 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk), Tre Owens 14 (3 reb, 7 ast, 5 stl), Terry Bone 11 (2 reb, 1 stl), Bo Rankins 10 (6 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl), Dylan Ayers (1 reb).

Santana: Trent Baugh 17 (6 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl), Anthony Romero 16 (4 reb, 2 ast, 4 stl), Frankie Gutierrez 9 (6 reb, 7 ast, 2 stl), Mitchell Miller 5 (1 reb, 3 stl, 1 blk), Cooper Mendoza 3, Taylor Rivers 3 (5 reb, 1 at, 1 stl, 1 blk), Daulton Barry 2 (4 reb, 3 ast), Noah Nunez 2 (2 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl), Sage Hicks 2 (2 reb, 1 ast), John Bobof (1 reb, 1 ast).