ROUNDUP: Helix, El Capitan eliminated from playoffs

By Ramon Scott
Updated: February 28, 2016

2015-16 PREP EAST COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL – SAN DIEGO CIF DIVISION II

By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com

LA JOLLA (2-28-16) — Helix rallied from a 33-22 halftime deficit to tie the game with La Jolla at 59-59 with 1:20 remaining when JUSTIN FLISHER hit a game-tying three-pointer, but the Vikings got the final say in a 61-59 San Diego CIF Division II quarterfinal win Saturday night (Feb. 27).

The Vikings scored the game-winning basket with 3.5 seconds remaining to spoil Helix’s comeback charge. Eric Parker got the game-winning basket when he picked up a ball on a scramble and drove the length of the floor.

Helix and La Jolla matchup Saturday night in a playoff game at the Vikings’ gym.

La Jolla had a 24-20 lead late in the first half, but the Vikings hit a 9-2 spurt to extend the lead to 33-22 at halftime.

The Vikes led 46-38 after three quarters as the Highlanders were mounting their comeback.

“We were down 16 points at one stretch and we really turned it up after that,” said Helix coach JOHN SINGER. “Lee brought us back on the strength of adding four 3-pointers.”

DYLAN LEE registered a team high 17 points for the Highlanders, while CARSON BAKER added 13 and 10 rebounds. Flisher finished with 10 points.

Helix had a tough time keeping an eye on the Vikings’ Parker in the first half. Parker finished with a game-high 21 points, while teammates Reed Farley added 14 and Nick Hammell finished with 10.

Parker easily penetrated the paint and got up close for an easy finger roll, as he scored with :45 left in the first quarter to give his team a 14-10 lead.

Lee came back to answer with a bucket to open the scoring in the second quarter when he created his own shot to conclude a lengthy possession, as he spun near the lane and floated in a 10-footer. However, the Vikings’ Parker would quickly get the bucket right back, as he did several times during the first 16 minutes. This time, Farley threw a pass from just inside his own backcourt, which found a striding Parker, who beat the Scots down the floor.

Helix’s Carson Baker goes up for a putback during the second quarter Saturday night.

La Jolla scored the final seven points of the first half.

Helix brought the ball in in the final seconds of the game, but an inbound lob was skyjacked by the Vikings.

Helix’s JAYLEN ARNOLD was saddled with early foul trouble, which limited his participation. He finished with an atypically low 4 points and 4 rebounds.

“We started the season 1-5 but I’m proud of the way our kids fought their way back throughout the season and especially in this game,” Singer said.

Helix finished 19-11.

Helix: Dylan Lee 17 (4 reb, 1 stl), Carson Baker 13 (10 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, 2 blk), Justin Flisher 10 (7 reb, 4 ast), Malik Tambwe 8 (5 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk), Amari Green 5 (1 reb, 3 ast), Jaylen Arnold 4 (4 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk), Ilyas Beltz 2.

SAGE CREEK 60, EL CAPITAN 46 – The El Capitan Vaqueros were eliminated by the Sage Creek Bobcats of Carlsbad from the Division IV San Diego CIF quarterfinals Saturday night (Feb. 27) in North County.