Hawks continue rise to top of Pioneer

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 44, OCEAN VIEW CHRISTIAN 42

 

By Dave Dickens

EastCountySports.com

 

PINE VALLEY (1-20-2022) — Not to continue beating a dead horse, but after only playing nine games last year and finishing the season 0-9, this season with head coach Bernard Vann at the helm has so far been exactly what the doctor ordered, to this point anyway, the Mountain Empire RedHawks (10-4, 4-0 Pioneer League) are currently riding high atop in first place.

 

Meanwhile, the visiting Ocean View Christian Patriots (9-4, 2-1 Pioneer) sitting at third in the Pioneer League.

 

“Another game with the same story started bad and got worse in the second quarter. Picked it up in the second half,” said Vann.

 

Landon Laskey had 10 points and 19 rebounds.

 

Corey Vann had three three-pointers in the second half and put up 12 points to lead the team. He also had five rebounds and three steals.

 

Mountain Empire came out extremely flat, down 12-7 at the end of the first quarter. It definitely went from bad to worse, as the host RedHawks put up a mere five points to 14, to lose the second quarter, as well, and be down at the half, 12-26. 

 

Talk about a third-quarter turnaround, playing some serious defense, holding the Patriots to eight, while putting up 19 themselves as a result of great defense this put their offense in great position. 

 

As they approached the fourth quarter, it really got close for both of the league squads, as Mountain Empire put up 13, while their defense held the Patriots to eight, and altogether held the Patriots to a mere 16 points in the second half.

 

Corey Vann had an excellent night, leading the host RedHawks in scoring with 12 points, on 4-of-17 three-pointers, four rebounds, and three steals. Also leading the way to grab their second of three games in a row was a football star, as well, Laskey with 10 points on 5-of-15 from the field, an astounding 19 rebounds,  and a steal.

 

This is one of the most improved teams in the East County, definitely see these RedHawks in the playoffs, and a league championship is not out of the question.

 

What a crazy tale of two halves once again, but what a comeback win, 44-42.