Pack, Hillers, Monarchs, Vaqueros win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: December 14, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SANTEE – One of the most pleasant surprises of the season, the West Hills Wolf Pack, may have started slowly on Friday, but they blew past the visiting Hilltop Lancers, 79-54.

Sophomore KYLE DOBYNS and junior JAYDEN MORENO both scored 22 points to lead West Hills, which won its fourth-straight game and improved to 7-3.

Hilltop held a 10-3 early out of the gate on the Wolf Pack.

However, Dobyns had a field goal and Moreno a pair of free throws late in the first quarter for a 16-14 lead after one.

Sophomore ASHTON AVESTRO and Moreno both had a three-pointer during a West Hills run in the second quarter that helped put the Pack, 36-23 at halftime.

“We picked it up as a team and starting to play like we usually do,” Dobyns said. “We were able to push in transition to get most of our key points.”

Dobyns had three more field goals in the third quarter as the Pack maintained their 13-point lead into the fourth.

“I had a lot of help tonight from MICHAEL TOTAH and the team to feed me the ball for my shots,” Dobyns said. “Jayden was big in our game to be able to hit the threes that he did.”

Dobyns added six more points in the fourth.

“We realize that we are a very young team and only to have two seniors, we are starting the season off with a good record,” Dobyns said. “We have great chemistry on and off the court with each other which clicks when we play our games.”

Moreno made a four free throws in the fourth that put West Hills up by 29 points.

“Lately I’ve been having a hard time shooting but coach always told me to keep a good attitude and don’t get down on yourself,” Moreno said. “Tonight, I did my job by shooting when I’m supposed to and they were falling for me.

“We also gain most control from defense showing lots of pressure and hitting our men down the court after the steal.”

Avestro added 13 points, giving the Wolf Pack trio of leading scorers a combined 57 points in the contest.

“I think we are the three amigos on the court,” Avestro said. “We can definitely make big plays for our team when needed most. Coach (TIM BARRY) is just getting me touches and good looks that allows me to score and make plays for my team.”

GROSSMONT 67, EL CAJON VALLEY 30 – The Grossmont Foothillers improved to 7-3 with the win over the Braves at the Grossmont Winter Classic on Friday.

The Hillers host Granite Hills on Monday.

MONTE VISTA 64, CLASSICAL ACADEMY 37 – The Monarchs trailed 12-6 at the end of the first quarter, but outscored the Caimens, 24-5, in the second quarter in a game played at El Capitan High.

SOPHOMORE ERNIE ARAMBULA drained four three-pointers to finish with 18 points.

DERRICK WILEY added 15 points for Monte Vista

DEMARCUS MCKAN came home with 13 points.

JAIDEN DAWN added nine for Monte Vista.

“Not our best effort and started a little slow,” Monte Vista coach MIKE TULLY said. “(We) played much better in the second half.”

EL CAPITAN 40, VICTORY CHRISTIAN 32 – JACOB PFITZNER had 17 points and RANDY TUCKER added 11 as the Vaqueros won in a Grossmont Winter Classic game.

Victory Christian, coached by former San Diego State star D.J. Gay and currently the top-rated team in Division IV, led 13-9 at the end of the first quarter and the game was tied, 17-all at halftime.

After taking a one-point lead after three quarters, El Capitan got busy on the defensive end, limiting VC to jsut four points.

“We held their best player (senior Larry Oldham, who came in averaging 28 points) to 17 and held their 6’9 player (Christian Ubochi) to eight (points).” El Capitan head coach JEFF BICKFORD said.

ARMY NAVY 50, MOUNT MIGUEL 44 – Army Navy led 13-8 after one quarter and 21- 15 at halftime, but the Matadors trailed by just three entering the fourth quarter.

However, the Warriors pulled off the big upset in the Grossmont Winter Classic at El Capitan High, sending Mount Miguel to a 6-3 mark.

UNIVERSITY CITY 69, VALHALLA 41 – Valhalla senior DOMINIC SAFARTA had 35 points and five assists, but the Norsemen lost for the first time this season.

SAGE CREEK 62, SANTANA 37 – The Sultans lost to Sage Creek.

FRANCIS PARKER 82, STEELE CANYON 37 – The Lancers led 27-2 after one period in a Grossmont Winter Classic game at La Jolla High.

CHAPARRAL 65, GRANITE HILLS 26 – The Pumas won the tournament matchup on Friday.

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