Eagles soar over Matadors in opener

By David Dickens
Updated: January 9, 2022

2021-22 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

GRANITE HILLS 78, MOUNT MIGUEL 50

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

SPRING VALLEY (1-7-2022 ) — After a minor tune-up against the neighboring El Cajon Valley Braves on Wednesday evening, the Granite Hills boys varsity basketball team seemed to be poised and more than ready for their league opener, according to junior Lawarnd Zangana, and seniors Zach Burton, and Austin Holt, anyhow, during the Eagles’ postgame interview following the last contest.

“We brought the defensive intensity we needed tonight at Mount Miguel. We had a few guys out due to various reasons, so it was unfortunate to cancel practice on Thursday. We didn’t let that or the late change of venue take away from our focus. “ said Granite Hills head coach Dan Duffy.

The Edmond brothers would strike again, and especially in heavy doses of offense.

The dynamic duo accounted for 54 total combined points out of the team’s 78 points on the evening, 69.23 percent of the offensive total came in the form of an Edmond swish.

Granite Hills came into the evening with an 11-3 ) record and the Matadors were 4-10.

Mount Miguel was coming off a two-game losing skid, the last loss on Tuesday, Dec. 4, to the Crawford Colts (5-6), by a mere 50-48, and a game the Matadors should have won.

The Eagles came out with a hot hand, and one of their best defensive performances, as well as, putting up their highest total offense in the first quarter with 29.

Senior Tre Edmond put up 34 total points, going 12-of-21 from the field, and 6-for-6 at the free-throw line, along with four rebounds, four assists, and five steals.

Meanwhile, sophomore Derek Edmond followed right behind his older brother, scoring 20 total points on 7-of-17 from the field, along with 2-of-3 free throws, 10 rebounds – a master at the boards – two assists, two steals, and even two blocked shots.

In a sense, the game was almost put away in the first half with the Eagles putting up 50 points by halftime.

Let us not forget the other sophomore sensation, Isaiah Hasten, who comes off the bench to dazzle with his defensive mastery and quickness, adding 11 rebounds and a pair of steals.

“We came out at the beginning with high intensity and jumped out to an early lead. We did have some of our fans travel to the game, and it definitely boosted the team’s energy. I told myself not to settle for threes and get into the paint more often. I did exactly what I set out to do and ended up with 34 points. As a result, I will do it more often in the future,” said Tre Edmond.

“We started off with a lot of energy in the beginning, and we kept it going all game.

We did outrebound them, but I think going into the next game, we need to duplicate how we came out and continue to have that same energy throughout,” said Derek Edmond.

The Eagles finished off the Matadors, 78-50, winning the first league game, slating them in first place in the league at 1-0 and 12-3 overall.

Granite Hills will face another league foe in the Helix Highlanders (6-9, 0-0 GHL) on Friday, Jan. 14, at Granite Hills at 7 p.m.