Frantic fourth belongs to West Hills

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: January 11, 2023

2022-23 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

ECS staff report

SANTEE — Showcasing a combined record of 28-6 (.824), West Hills and El Capitan high schools entered Tuesday’s (Jan. 1) Grossmont Valley League opener with the best combined record to open league play this century.

As the old saying goes, “something had to give,” as the ballclub with the better overall record — West Hills — came away with the victory, 78-67, over the visiting Vaqueros.

A fourth-quarter outburst of 30 points by each side pushed the contest nearly into a third hour with a parade of foul shots.

However, the Pack was able to protect their lead by making 7-of-10 from the line, while Vince Hillman connected on a trio of triplets, scoring 13 of his 25 of points in the final stanza.

“Tonight was a grand to win, but t’s nice to start 1-0 in league,” said West Hills head coach Tim Barry. “We missed a lot of early opportunities because El Capitan really forced us to work hard.”

West Hills finished with seven triples among four different players.Most of the ong-balls came in the second half, when the Pack posted 50 points to break open a 28-21 halftime lead.

Zeid Salem added17 points, lifting West Hills to a 16-2 overall record. He also garbbed seven rebounds, while teammate Luke Gibson added a team-highs 8 boards and 5 assists.

Some could argue that the slow start by El Cap — only 8 points in the first period, 7 scored by Micah Odell — cost them a chance to win.

Like Hillman, Odell poured home 10 of his 25 points in the final minutes, but the Vaqueros only once trimmed the deficit to single digits.

West Hills, winners in 12 straight (last loss came in November), hopes to continue the streak on Friday at home against Steele Canyon.

“We have a bunch of early league games at home,so we need to take advantage of the schedule while we can,” added Barry.

El Capitan fell to 13-5 overall.

In other GVL action, Steele Canyon, which allowed more than 100 points in its previous outing, bounced back to down Mount Miguel, 65-40,

Meanwhile, Santana stopped ElCajon Valley, 48-34. The Cougars held a 25-20 lead at the break, then doubled their score by the end of the third period, 52-31.

Leading scorers and game details were not reported in the other two contests.

Grossmont Hills

Valhalla 61,Monte Vista 60 — The Norsemen (10-7) failed to win any of the first three quarters, by a 17-9 run in the fourth period allowed the visitors to stun the host Monarchs (8-12) in the GHL opener.

Helix 77, Grossmont 18 — Helix (9-10) handed an extremely young Grossmont roster its 17th straight setback, 77-18 — the fewest points by the Foothillers this century.

The previous low was 25 against Mira Mesa. The Marauders won, 40-25, on Dec. 6, 2008.

Once again, all GHL schools failed to report game details or statistics.

Elsewhere

Point Loma 47, Christian 35 –– At Trepanier Gymnasium, the visiting Patriotd nailed a 3-point basket for its lone points in the final period, allowing the Pointers to pull away late after trailed at the half,19-18.

Christian is now 8-10 overall, 1-1 in City League play to fall into a third-place tie with Point Loma (6-9).

St. Augustine 93, Patrick Henry 52 — Top-ranked St. Augustine (15-3) wasted little time to halt Henry (3-12) in Western League play.

Liberty Charter 36, The Cambridge 33 — The Liberty Lions avoided the upset bid by The Cambridge School (located in Rancho Penasquitos), handing the visiting Griffins their third straight loss in Patriot League play at MacQueen Middle School in Alpine.

Foothills Christian at The Bishop’s
Mountain Empire at Coastal