Sultans fall down in desert

By Adam Paul
Updated: January 21, 2018

EAST COUNTY BOYS PREP BASKETBALL

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

NON-LEAGUE

EL CENTRO SOUTHWEST 87, SANTANA 74

EL CENTRO (1-20-18) – The Sultans took the long bus ride down to the Valley to take on the Eagles in a non-league battle and unfortunately couldn’t overcome a slow second quarter.

Right off the bat both teams scored and would be tied at 5-5 early on when the Eagles would go on a 10-0 run to take a 15-5 lead and would eventually lead by a slim 21-18 margin at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was brutal for the Sultans as they couldn’t overcome the Eagles scoring efforts. Santana was able to close within two points at 23-21 but the Eagles muscled their way to extend their lead. They would eventually lead by as many as 11 points Eagles superstar Tyler Saikhon sunk a couple foul shots just before half to make it 38-27 at the break.

The second half was pretty even as both teams didn’t play any type of defense as the Eagles would outscore the Sultans 49-47 in the second half. Unfortunately the Sultans couldn’t get any closer than double digits against the Eagles in the second half.

Leading scorers for Santana were Nick Berhalter who had 26 points, Desmond Williams had 22 and TC Simmons chipped in with 9.