Wolf Pack continue winning ways

By Adam Paul
Updated: December 22, 2022

Luke Gibson of West Hills. / Vic Marano

2022-23 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

ECS Staff Report

EL CAJON – Chalk up another one for West Hills as they went on the road in a non-league contest and defeated Grossmont League foe Granite Hills, 62-49, Thursday (Dec 22).

It was an effort featuring excellent defense which would spark the offensive charge for the Pack, resulting in timely transition production.

On the night the Pack was led by Zeid Salem who scored 18 points and also grabbed 8 boards on the night and also Luke Gibson also reached double-digits with his 11 points and he also pulled down 7 boards.

On the other side for the Eagles, it was senior Lawond Zangana who knocked down a pair of treys in pouring in 16 points to lead Granite Hills, his teammate and football star Easton Peterson drained three three-pointers as he chipped in 14 points.

West Hills would lead the entire way but early on it was close as they would only lead 17-11 after one period of play and 27-20 at the break.

With the victory, the Pack has now won eight straight contests and improved their record to 11-2 which is their best start in quite some time.

“The 11-2 start is very exciting for these guys and we will continue to work to get better after we take a little time off to be with family.” Said head coach Tim Barry regarding the Packs’ winning ways and also after playing five games in the past couple of weeks.

West Hills finishes 2022 with crucial victories over Divisional foes and also a big win over a Division II team in Granite Hills.

They will next play the first week of January while the Eagles who have lost two in a row and fall to 6-5 will also play the first week of the new year.

Elsewhere

Central Union 75, El Capitan 56

NATIONAL CITY – Despite a close contest after one period of play in which they would trail 21-20 the El Capitan Vaqueros would never get closer than four points in the third quarter as the Central Spartans would pull away for the victory in the Sweetwater Lions Club Frank Pekarek Memorial Tournament on Thursday afternoon.

The Vaqueros would pull within six points on multiple occasions and would actually outscore the Spartans 15-13 in the third quarter but would still trail 59-49 heading into the fourth quarter.

With the loss, the Vaqueros after starting out the season 11-0 have now dropped three games in a row and fall to 11-3 on the season and will take on Grossmont Conference foe Monte Vista to finish out the year and also the Sweetwater tournament in a tip-off slated for 11 am.

Foothills Christian 65, SD-Southwest 62

NATIONAL CITY – In other action at the Sweetwater Tournament, Foothills Christian senior guard Julian Level tallied 29 points, while sophomore guard Angel Escarcega added 22, as the backcourt tandem led the Knights over the upset-minded Southwest Raiders (1-9), 65-62.

It was the first victory over Foothills Christian this season following a 10-game losing skid. One day earlier, the Knights had a chance to end the streak, but Steele Canyon shutout them out in overtime (8-0) in falling to the Cougars, 71-63.

On other action, Steele Canyon claimed another nail-biter, 49-47, over Morse; El Cajon Valley downed Monte Vista, 56-46; and the tournament host Red Devils nipped Mount Miguel, 55-54.

Sweetwater (2-11) hosts Football Christian at 2 p.m. in Friday’s final round.

Cathedral Catholic 70, Helix 68

CARMEL HIGHLANDS – In a tight game the entire night the host Cathedral Catholic Dons pull off the victory as Andrew Garcia nails the would-be game-winning shot at the buzzer to give them the victory over Helix in a non-league contest on Thursday. With the loss, the Highlanders have lost three in a row and dropped to 5-9 on the season.

The Dons are coached by Will Cunningham, the only player to have his number retired by San Diego Christian College after he helped the Hawks to their only NCCAA national basketball championship to cap the 1989-90 campaign,