Griffins, Coyotes drop tourney games; Knights win opener

By ECS Staff
Updated: November 2, 2018

2018 COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

PALM DESERT (11-3-2018) – One of the reasons Grossmont College had done so well in men’s basketball in recent seasons is their difficult preseason schedule.

Perhaps Friday’s (Nov. 2) contest proved to be a bit too difficult.

No, 8-ranked San Bernardino Valley raced to a 20-point lead in the first half, racing to an 81-44 decision over the Griffins (0-2) at the Frank Garcia Memorial Tournament at College of the Desert.

Meanwhile, Cuyamaca College (0-2) also remained winless after a 67-60 setback to Rio Hondo of Whittier, 67-60, at the Miramar College Tournament.

Sophomore guard Frankie Gutierrez (Santana) led the Coyotes with a game-high 19 points, while freshman center Devin Hilliard (Mission Bay) hit 6-of-7 shots for all of his 12 points. However, the rest of the roster managed a mere 20 points, including just 13 from the starters.

Elsewhere

San Diego City 101, Barstow 83 – Former Mount Miguel guard Darian Norwood was one of three players to come off the bench to score in double figures, as the defending Pacific Coast Athletic Conference champion Knights buried the Vikings in a non-conference affair in their opener at Harry West Memorial Gymnasium.

Norwood tallied 10 points, while Trevor Drake added 15 and Joseph Riley had 14 among the reserves.

Barstow held a 53-32 advantage in rebounding, but pressure defense by SDCC forced 31 turnovers compared a sparkling low total of seven by the Knights.

Southwestern 85, MiraCosta 54 – In a clash between PCAS North and South squads, the Jaguars (1-1) ripped the Spartans (0-2) in the second half by a 23-point margin to take this Miramar College Tournament contest.

Marquavian Stephens shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the field, including a trio of treys, to register a game-best 24 points from off the bench. Meanwhile, the Spartans make anything, including just 7-for-15 from the foul line.

San Diego Miramar 86, Palomar 61 – For the second straight day, the Jets’ Blake Seits was proven to be the scoring leader, recording a season-best 33 points to allow the hosts to gain a win in their own tournament. Miramar is the only 2-0 club among San Diego County-based schools.For the Comets (1-1), Michael Chatman made 5-of-7 shots for his the rest of the squad shot just 34.7 percent (17-of-49) from the floor.