Wolf Pack win streak reaches Lucky 13

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: January 14, 2023

File photo by Nick Pellegrino

2022-23 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

ECS staff report

SANTEE — In a showdown between the preseason picks to challenge for the Grossmont Valley League title, West Hills sprinted away with a 16-8 advantage in the final period, stopping visiting Steele Canyon, 68-49.

Despite the start of a holiday weekend, a packed crowd roared as the Wolf Pack came back after the Cougars grabbed the early lead despite a sluggish start by both ballclubs.

However, West Hills (17-2 overall, 1-0 GVL) would turn up the heat, taking the lead for keeps in the second [period at 31-20, extending the school’s record winning streak to 13 straight games — the milestone came on Friday the 13th of January.

“Composure and experience is what sealed the game for us” said West Hills head coach Tim Barry. “Then we went 8-for-10 on free throws. in the fourth quarter.”

The quarter featured Zeid Salem when he poured home 11 of his team-leading 20 points.

Steele Canyon (7-12, 1-1 GVL) made some defensive adjustments to stay close. holding the Pack without a bucket in the entire third quarter to pull within 39-36.

However, West Hills countered the momentum of Steele Canyon with an 8-0 run to open the final stanza to again push the advantage into double figures., winning the final 8 minutes by a 29-13 margin.

“We did a great job on the play calls,” added the coach. “We moved the ball very well and used the extra pass to get great shots,not settling for okay ones.”

For the Cougars, double-digit scoring was offered by Alex Williams (18 points), Alex Jenkins (15), and Benny Villa (12).

West Hills saw Vince Hillman hit four triples as part of his 13 points, while Cade Akins added 10.

The Wolf Pack cap their 3-game homestand on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., entertaining El Cajon Valley. Concurrently, the Cougars next tangle with El Capitan at home.

Elsewhere

El Capitan 72, Santana 54

LAKESIDE — Senior forward Jaylin Padilla registered career-highs with 23 points and 17 rebounds, leading El Capitan over visiting Santana in Grossmont Valley League action at Foster Gym,

Among his rebounds, 10 came on the offensive glass, making for an array of put-back baskets on a 10-for-18 shooting effort from the floor.

Odell also recorded team-highs with six assists and three steals, as Santana found no answeres to stop the senior.

A trio of Vaqueros — Micah Odell (17 points), Chance LaChappa (11), and Jason Wilson (10) — also scored inn double figures, putting away the victory early by mounting a 21-5 cushion in the opening quarter.

El Capitan (14-5 overall, 1-1 GVL) plays at Steele Canyon on Tuesday, then returns home on Wednesday for a non-league affair with Del Lago of Escondido.

Santana (10-8, 1-1 GVL) — which did not report player statistics — also plays a home-road, league-non-league schedule next week. The Sultans play at Mount Miguel on Tuesday, then t’s a Thursday home date with Ocean View Christian of Chula Vista.

ECVHS at Mount Miguel – In the remaining GVL contest, there was no report on the Braves-Matadors ballgame.

Christian 57, Morse 42

EL CAJON — The Morse Tigers started a 2-day road swing through the East County with a loss to the Christian Patriots at Ryan Center.

The Tigers were out-scored in all four quarters in the City League contest.

Morse (3-13 overall, 1-1 league), which has dropped 5-of-6, caps the “trip” with a non-league, neighborhood battle at Mount Miguel, starting at 5 p.m.on Saturday.

Christian (9-10, 2-1 league), which did not make a gae report, continues its 4-game homestand by entertaining Sage Creek of Carlsbad in a non-league contest on American Civil RightsAct Day on Monday at 7 p.m. The Patriots cap the week at home against Lincoln on Tuesday, then San Diego-High Tech on Thursday.

LJCDS 82, Foothills Christian 48

GOLDEN TRIANGLE – The Foothills Christian Knights were out-gunned by the Torreys of La Jolla Country Day School, 82=48, in Coastal League action from Bamford Gymnasium.

Freshman guard Julian “JuJu” Lebel, the Knights scoring leader this season,posted 17 points. However, scoring honors for the Knights went to sophomore Angel Escarcega with 21 points on 9-for-16 shooting from the field.

Foothills Christian (6-15 overall, 2-3 Coastal League) p;lays Saturday against Palmdale-Highland at the MLK Shootout in Arcadia, starting at 2 p.m.

Scoreboard / No Game Reports

Grossmont Hills League
Helix 58, at Monte Vista 52
Granite Hills df. Grossmont, score not reported
Others
Olympian 62, Valhalla 60
Cathedral Catholic df, Patrick Henry, score not reported
Canyon Crest 69, Ramona 52
Warner 36, Borrego Springs 30