Eagles, Norsemen, Sultans win at tourney

By Ramon Scott
Updated: January 3, 2019

2019 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SANTEE – The Granite Hills Eagles have their mojo back, which wasn’t good news for Central High.

The Spartans came to Santana High to play a couple of games at the Santana New Year’s Classic, but the Eagles were at full-strength for just the second time this season and knocked off Central, 69-41.

Granite Hills knocked down a pair of three-pointers early to get off to a 7-0 start and led 18-6 at the end of the first quarter.

CALEB ERICKSON led the Eagles with 13 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots’

“Erickson had by far his best game,” Granite Hills head coach DAN DUFFY said. “(It) helps to have him back. (It was) a great team effort.”

Granite Hills led 28-22 at halftime but dominated the second half.

“Obviously, the best we’ve played in a while,” Duffy said. “This was the healthiest we’ve been all season, (though we’re) still battling a few nagging injuries.”

VALHALLA 72, CALIPATRIA 52 – The Norsemen beat the Hornets, who played two games on the day at the Santana New Year’s Classic.

Senior DOMANIC SAFARTA had 23 points and eight assists, while fellow senior JORDAN GAINES had 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Valhalla, which started the week as the top-rated team in the Division III computer rankings, improved to 10-2 overall.

SANTANA 56, CALIPATRIA 40 – Sultan senior forward BRANDON SIMMONS scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds to win at the Santana New Year’s Classic over the visiting Hornets.

The Sultans, who led 28-21 at halftime, improved to 3-10 on the season.

EastCountySports.com