Highlanders win in OT; Norsemen, Patriots win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: December 5, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

CHULA VISTA- The Helix Highlanders needed overtime to defeat Otay Ranch on Tuesday at the Hilltop Tournament.

The Helix Highlanders also needed junior SAMMY STEWART to defeat the Mustangs.

Stewart scored 22 points, including seven in overtime, to help Helix win, 67-64.

Stewart also made a three-pointer in the fourth quarter to help Helix force the extra three minutes.

Helix missed a pair of free throws with 0.3 seconds left in regulation.

The Highlanders led 19-17 at the end of the first quarter, but the Mustangs led 34-33 at halftime.

Junior frontcourt star MAURICE HOLMES added 11 points for Helix, while junior JAHARI HILL had nine points for the Highlanders.

Sophomore KAI JESSIE and junior KEISHON TRICE both had nine points for Helix (3-3).

Helix rallied in the fourth quarter, as junior guard KAMRYN BROWN and contributed to the comeback with a field goal.

Stewart had a field goal in overtime, but made the difference at the line, knocking down four free throws.

Jessie also had a field goal in the extra session.

Helix will play Rancho Buena Vista on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

VALHALLA 76, SAN YSIDRO 70 – Get to know these Valhalla Norsemen. The excitement will be back at The Thunderdome this season.

Sophomore guard JOE AVALOS had 23 points, including seven three-pointers, as the Norsemen defeated the Cougars after trailing 39-38 at halftime at the Mariner Melee tournament.

It was Valhalla’s second consecutive win at the event in as many days and improved the team to 3-0.

San Ysidro scored five straight points to take the lead after an 18-all first quarter but the Norsemen used a 13-0 to take the lead.

Senior point-man DOMINIC SAFARTA added 19 points and had 12 assists for Valhalla. His ability to break the press, penetrate the lane, and dish to the shooters are what is helping make this team go.

Valhalla took the lead 44-40 three minutes into the second half.

Avalos his a long three-pointer at the end of the third quarter to give Valhalla a 49-44 lead.

Senior EVAN O’NEILL hit a three-pointer from the corner to give Valhalla a 57-52 lead with six minutes left in the game.

The Norsemen held a 71-64 lead with 25.1 seconds remaining. Valhalla led by eight with three minutes left.

Valhalla will meet Preuss UCSD on Wednesday night at 7:30 at the Mariner Melee.

CHRISTIAN 61, SOUTHWEST (El Centro) 24 – The 16th-ranked Patriots improved to 5-2 by winning at the Armstrong Memorial Horsman Automotive Tournament at West Hills High School.

CHS led 16-5 at the end of the first quarter and 41-15 at halftime.

The score was 58-18 at the end of three periods.

Christian is 4-0 and the tourney will meet Santana on Wednesday at 7 at the event.

CORONADO 74, WEST HILLS 51 – The Islanders got off to a quick 10-point lead after one quarter, but the Wolf Pack settled down to trail by just five at halftime, 33-28, at the Armstrong Memorial Horsman Automotive event.

But the Pack “fell flat” in the second half,” according to West Hills head coach TIM BARRY.

KYLE DOBYNS and MICHAEL TOTAL led the Pack with 16 and 13 points, respectively.

“We felt good about ourselves at (the half),” assistant coach ELIAS TOTAH said. “We executed with Totah willing us into the half offensively. Then, they smacked us right in the mouth to begin the second half and never looked back.”

Michael Totah was hot in the second quarter, as was teammate ASHTON AVESTRO.

Totah had three-pointers and scored all 13 of his points in the period. Avestro had the team’s other seven points in the quarter.

Dobyns had four field goals in the third quarter, while CASH CREIGHTON added a three-pointers.

West Hills drew several fouls in the fourth quarter, going 6-for-10 at the line as the game turned into a little bit of a foul fest, but the Wolf Pack managed just two field goals.

The Wolf Pack will meet El Capitan on Wednesday at 6 in Lakeside in a non-league game.

SANTANA 44, PACIFIC RIDGE 43 – The Sultans edged the Firebirds in a non-league game in Santee.

VICTORY CHRISTIAN 65, EL CAJON VALLEY 54 – The Braves fell on the road in a non-league game.

The Braves (3-2) will be at San Pasqual on Friday.

LIBERTY CHARTER 56, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA YESHIVA 47 – Sophomore JONAH BELPREZ scored 14 points to lead the Lions

Sophomore TYLER SNELL added 11 points, while senior DAVID MILLER contributed nine points for LCHS.