Monarchs, Patriots, Sultans boys win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: January 12, 2018

El Cajon Valley and Monte Vista compete on Friday night.

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

EL CAJON – The Monte Vista Monarchs earned a tough road win Friday night, outlasting the host El Cajon Valley Braves, 64-59 in the Grossmont Valley League opener for both teams.

After trailing much of the first half, the Monarchs established a lead in the third quarter after the Braves led 23-22 at intermission, but Monte Vista ran into the El Cajon Valley Braves’ buzzsaw in the fourth quarter, as the Braves mounted a furious comeback attempt.

Monte Vista and El Cajon Valley watch a free throw attempt on Friday.

Senior DEONDRE MCHAYLE scored 20 points, but the Monarchs got a great night from “McHayle’s Navy,” the star’s unheralded supporting cast.

DERRICK WILEY chimed in with 15 points and had a big night on the boards.

It was Wiley who woke up the Monarchs with 13 points in the third quarter, as Monte Vista

Senior AMIR CONLEY had 14 points, 12 of them coming in the first half.

“Derrick played great and Amir provided some real toughness,” Monte Vista head coach MIKE TULLY said.

El Cajon Valley’s DAEVION ROGERS, a junior, scored 14 of the Braves’ 25 points in the fourth quarter. He finished with a team-high 20 points.

Braves senior RAY-EL HILL had 16 points, while senior teammate NICK HENDERSON added 11 points.

El Cajon Valley (0-1 GVL, 10-6) will host Valhalla on Tuesday at 5:30 in a non-league contest.

Monte Vista (1-0 GVL, 14-5) will travel to face West Hills (9-5) on Wednesday in a non-league contest at 7:30 p.m.

CHRISTIAN 79, CORONADO 48 – The Patriots bounced back and won the Eastern League contest by pulling away from the visiting Islanders to improve to 2-1 in league, but after the game, the only thing people were talking about was JACKSON LARSON’s back-to-back dunks in the fourth quarter.

The Patriots were well ahead when senior NASHOM CARTER floated an ally-oop pass near the rim, which Jackson glided in an grabbed with his back to the basket for a reverse jam.

Christian then recorded a steal that deflected into the hands of Jackson just inside the mid-court line, and Jackson just took off straight to the rim to throw one down in a mini-breakaway.

DANIEL WELCH hit a basket to open the scoring for Christian, then after DOMINIC SAFARTA scored a layup, Welch went coast-to-coast for a score, giving the Pats an early 8-3 lead.

Safarta added a three-pointer later in the first quarter, giving Christian a 15-3 lead with two minutes and change left.

#3 Dominic Safarta with the 3….15-3 w/2:15 left in 1st Period!!! pic.twitter.com/G8jxAFlXWc

— CUSSDPatriots (@CUSSDPatriots) January 13, 2018

Christian’s SHAWN JACKSON grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back up and in to give the Pats a 20-7 lead at the end of one.

Carter scored to open the second for Christian, then JORDAN GAINES hit a three-pointer.

#5 Nashom Carter with the drive to the basket to start the 2nd Period!!! pic.twitter.com/nkjecwK3RK

— CUSSDPatriots (@CUSSDPatriots) January 13, 2018

After Larson followed with a basket, Christian led 28-12. CHRISTIAN WEST made it 30-12 with another bucket.

ISAIAH ROBINSON had a pair of three-pointers and Safarta added another three and Christian was up 39-16.