Eagles, Cougars win on Wednesday

By Bill Dickens
Updated: December 15, 2016

Granite Hills' MOSES SMITH drives against Montgomery Wednesday night.

2016-17 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com

EL CAJON (12-15-16) — In a sloppy start between host Granite Hills and visiting Montgomery, the Eagles squeezed out a non-league 58-56 victory over the Aztecs on Wednesday (Dec. 14).

Montgomery led 5-2 after one quarter. The Eagles broke in front with a 19-9 spread in the second period, only to let a potential blowout get away as Montgomery regained the lead 38-33 in the third quarter.

Granite Hills erupted for a 26-18 spread in the fourth quarter to take command of the game.

“It was kind of a slow game, especially in the first and third quarters,” said Eagles coach RANDY ANDERSON. “But we picked it up in the second half. We were ahead at halftime.

“I was proud of the way the guys kept their composure and battled back,” he added.

“RYAN KELLY had a great second half,” noted Anderson. “He made 10 straight free throws and put us on his shoulders in the second half.”

Kelly was 10 for 11 on free throws for the night. On top of that the Eagles buried 6 threes, 3 of which were put up by CAMERON SPITZER.

Granite Hills: Ryan Kelly 18 (11 reb, 7 ast), Moses Smith 16 (8 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl), Cameron Spitzer 13 (2 reb), Darien Cossio 6 (7 reb, 2 ast), Jordan Rogers 3 (4 reb), Xsavier Smith (4 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk), Austin Ballo (3 reb, 3 ast).

STEELE CANYON 64, FRANCIS PARKER 53 – Steele Canyon scrambled to a 39-35 halftime lead at Francis Parker Wednesday night (Dec. 14) in a non-league tangle.

The Cougars extended their advantage to 49-40 by the end of the third quarter.

“We started out strong but got in foul trouble in the third quarter so some of our starters sat,” said Cougars’ coach DEREK STEPHENS. “But it was a good win for us.

“We got ahead early. Once we got ahead by 10 points we stayed there.”

“NICK BARNES and KYREE WOODS came off the bench when we were in foul trouble and played well,” the coach noted.

GAGE SANDERS hit 6 threes for the Cougars, finishing with 20 points to pace Steele Canyon.

Over all the Cougars totaled a dozen threes for the night.

THOMAS FISHBURNE punched in 14 points, including a pair of treys.

Steele Canyon: Gage Sanders 20, Thomas Fishburne 14, Jalen Sayles 14, Darrin Spence 8, Nick Barnes 4, Tyler Smith 4.