Foothillers edge Monarchs on road

By Ramon Scott
Updated: December 15, 2021

2021-22 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SPRING VALLEY – The preseason favorite in the Grossmont Hills League is anyone’s guess.

But you wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that the Grossmont Foothillers are one of those teams in the discussion.

The Foothillers went on the road and knocked off the Grossmont Valley League favorite – Monte Vista – by a 60-55 count on Monday night.

Grossmont (6-6) has defeated all three of its East County opponents so far – Christian, Santana, and now the Monarchs.

A slow start likely did the Monarchs in on this night. Monte Vista scored just five points in the first quarter.

It took two minutes into the game before the first basket, which was scored by the Monarchs.

Grossmont led 11-5 after the first quarter.

The Foothillers extended that lead to 21-8 midway through the second period when Brandon Tully hit a deep three-pointer to pull Monte Vista to within 10.

However, a quick run late in the first half brought Monte Vista to within 25-21 with just over a minute to go before halftime.

The Foothillers’ lead was cut to 25-23 by intermission but the Monarchs finally regained the lead on a three-pointer by Armando Raising in the third quarter.

Then the teams traded blows in an exciting end to the third quarter.

Grossmont got the lead back at 31-29 midway through the third quarter on a steal and layup by senior Elijah Williams

However, the score was knotted up again moments later at 33-all as the third quarter clock timed down under a minute.

Monte Vista got a pair of free throws by Tully to regain the lead but Williams got a quick pass and drove in for a hoop to tie the game at 35-all with 30 seconds left in the third quarter. He was fouled and made the freebie for the lead, 36-35.

Tully, however, got a shooter’s roll on a three-pointer and Monte Vista was back on top, 38-36, with under 10 seconds to play in the third.

However, Williams canned a deep three at the buzzer to put Grossmont back on top.

The Monarchs didn’t finish too strong, however, putting up just seven points in the fourth quarter.

Senior Aaron Velasco had a putback early in the fourth quarter which gave the Foothillers a 43-38 lead.

Tully hit a bomb of a three to draw Monte Vista back to 48-45 and had a bit of a desperation attempt to tie the game with 40 seconds left.

Velasco hit a pair of free throws on separate trips to the line to end the scoring.

“We pressed and stole the ball with 40 seconds left but took a quick, off-balance shot,” Monte Vista head coach Mike Tully said. “Our kids played hard and Grossmont has been in so many really good games. We need to get back on track.”

Monte Vista (7-3) was led by Tully’s 17 points. He had three three-pointers.

Isaiah Hilke added 13 points for Monte Vista. His put-back with two minutes to play kept Monte Vista within five at 47-42.

Rasing finished with 11 points, including a trio of three-pointers.

Rasing’s first three-pointer of the game brought the Monarchs closer in the second quarter.

Chris Lybarger also buried a triple for MVHS.