With two minutes to go, Olympian led 36-33, as Helix scored just five points in the fourth quarter.
Helix (11-7) missed multiple shots within three feet toward the end of the third, and Olympian led, 30-29, heading into the fourth.
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Crawford’s late three lifts Foothillers
- Updated: January 9, 2018
Grossmont loosens up before the game Tuesday evening.
2017 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
EastCountySports.com staff report
LA MESA – The Grossmont Foothillers used the strength of the 22-point first quarter to outlast the visiting Monte Vista Monarchs, 49-46, in a Grossmont Conference encounter at the Hillers’ gym Tuesday afternoon.
DAISEAN CRAWFORD hit a three-pointer on an assist from JAMIE ODOM to snap a 44-all tie and give the Foothillers the lead for good in the fourth quarter.
The Hillers jumped out to a six-point lead in the first quarter. Grossmont led 33-25 at halftime.
“We gave up too many points in the 1st quarter,” Monte Vista coach MICHAEL TULLY said. “Only gave up 27 the rest of the way.
The Monarchs closed to within 43-37 at the end of the third period, then surged to tie the game behind DEONDRE MCHAYLE and AMIR CONLEY, who combined for seven points in the fourth.
The game was tied at 44-all when Crawford hit his big three-pointer.
The Hillers then led 47-46, but the Monarchs couldn’t secure a rebound defensively and had to foul.
Grossmont hit two free throws and Monte Vista missed a three-pointer that would’ve tied it.
“The kids played hard it,” Tully said. “It was a good game to learn from.”
McHayle led Monte Vista with 14 points, while DEMARCUS MCKAN added eight points for the Monarchs.
Grossmont will face Helix in the Grossmont Hills League opener on Friday at 7:30 at the Highlanders’ gym.
The Monarchs, meanwhile, are set to square off against the host El Cajon Valley Braves in the Valley opener, also at 7:30 on Friday.
OLYMPIAN 37, HELIX 34 – The Olympian Eagles made it ugly, but effective against the visiting Helix Highlanders Tuesday night.
Helix senior JAYLEN HINSON scored seven points in the first half and finished with a team-high nine points.
Helix and Olympian tip off the game on Tuesday night.
It wasn’t the best-played game of the year for either team.
The halftime score was 18-16 in favor of Olympian, as both teams were struggling to take care of the ball in the first half.
Sophomore MAURICE HOLMES helped a paltry Helix offense with eight points, while senior teammate CARSON BAKER was next with six markers.
With three minutes left in the first half, Helix trailed 18-13, as the Highlanders were struggling to find good shots against the Olympian zone.Olympian was giving the Highlanders problems off the dribble, as well, in the early going.Olympian was giving the Highlanders problems off the dribble, as well, in the early going.
Olympian was giving the Highlanders problems off the dribble, as well, in the early going.
At the end of the first quarter, Olympian held a 7-6 lead, as both teams struggled to find a rhythm on offense.
Helix was just 10-of-18 from the foul stripe and were held without a three-point field goal.
The Highlanders will ready for the Grossmont Hills League home opener against the Foothillers on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
SERRA 67, CHRISTIAN 62 – In an Eastern League tilt, the visiting Conquistadors outscored the Patriots 11-6 down the stretch to break open a close game in the fourth at Ryan Athletic Center.
Serra surged to a 41-37 lead at the end of the third quarter, outscoring the Patriots, 16-12, out of the intermission.
The Patriots led 16-15 at the end of the first quarter behind the play of JACKSON LARSEN and extended the lead a bit to 27-25 at halftime.
The Patriots fell to 1-1 in league and 7-7 overall.
Christian will expect to right the league ship on Friday at home against Coronado (8-4) at 7:30.
EL CAJON VALLEY 56, MAR VISTA 42 – The Braves took a home victory from the Mariners on Tuesday night and improved to 10-5 on the season.
El Cajon Valley, which has looked great against several of its non-league foes so far, will host the Grossmont Hills League opener on Friday against Monte Vista at 7 p.m.
The Monarchs beat El Cajon Valley by just six points in the Braves’ gym in last year’s regular-season league finale.
WESTVIEW 64, GRANITE HILLS 40 – The Eagles lost for the first time at home this season in a non-league contest to the Wolverines.
Sophomore guard MCKAY ROBERTS scored 14 points for Granite Hills, while senior forward XSAVIER SMITH added 13 points.
Granite Hills fell to 10-5.
The Eagles will be favored when they open Grossmont Hills League play at home on Friday against Valhalla (4-11) at 7:30 p.m.
LIBERTY CHARTER 77, BAYFRONT CHARTER 53 – Liberty Charter senior CLINTON FULK scored 22 points and the Lions blitzed the Sharks early to win the non-league contest at Lemon Grove Rec.
Liberty senior GABE GRIMM added 17 points, while junior teammate DAVID MILLER added 16.
The Lions (5-6) bolted out to a 40-17 halftime lead before putting on the brakes a bit in the second half. Bayfront (6-6) mounted a small comeback in the third.
Liberty Charter will try to improve on its 1-1 league record against 0-2 Health Sciences (2-7 overall) on Thur. at home at 5:30 p.m.
