New Patriots arrive; Vaqueros rally short

By Adam Paul
Updated: January 4, 2018

EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

By Adam Paul

EastCountySports.com

CHRISTIAN 54, POINT LOMA 44 – The Christian Patriots started the New Year off by taking a visit down by the ocean with a little visit to Point Loma.

Besides being the first game of the new year for the Patriots it was also a return home of sorts for Nahom Carter who looked to take down his former team in the visit to his old stomping grounds.

Christian was able to get things rolling right away as Jackson Larsen wooed the crowd with a monstrous two-handed slam after driving to the basket hard.

However, the Pointers punched right back as they roared out to a 17-7 lead by draining four t here pointers in the first quarter.

Things in the second quarter would get better for the Patriots as they debuted a couple brand new players in Christian West and John Williams, who both had to sit out the mandatory 30 day sit-out transfer period.

Both players really sparked the Patriots as they were able to pull down a combined 13 rebounds and block 5 shots.

The entire second quarter between the two squads was really a back and forth affair as Point Loma would eventually take a 30-27 lead into the intermission.

Both teams in the third quarter would repeat the efforts of the second quarter as they went back and forth trading baskets but the Patriots would find themselves leading 42-40 heading into the final period.

Christian in the final period was finally able to establish themselves and began to pull away from the Pointers as they clamped down on them defensively and also some toughly made shots by Jordan Gaines.

The Patriots dominated the fourth quarter as they were able to hold the Pointers to a paltry four points and closed the game out with the double-digit victory.

Carter for the Patriots finished the contest with 15 points and 9 assists while Larsen contributed with another double-double of 16 points and 11 boards.

With the victory, the Patriots are now over .500 with a 7-6 record and will next take on the Tigers of Morse High on Friday at 7:30 pm.

CORONADO 54, EL CAPITAN 50 – Host Coronado came out guns a’blazing, taking a 16-5 lead after one quarter, then the Islanders held off the Vaqueros’ furious fourth-quarter.

“We played absolutely zero offense in the first half, El Capitan coach JEFF BICKFORD said. “Having played against Coronado while at Crawford, I knew it be be close at the end.

“I have had four losses to them by five points or less over the last three years.”

Trailing 37-26 after three quarters, El Capitan scored 24 points over the final eight minutes, but it wasn’t enough.

El Capitan freshman DRE’ONTA RAYMOND scored 12 points and had five rebounds for the Vaqueros, while JAQUORI HARRIS, a sophomore, who was just called up from the junior varsity, added 10 points and made three steals.

The duo combined for 18 points in the fourth quarter.

“We came out much better in the second half,” Bickford said. “The fourth quarter, our youngsters picked it up offensively.”

DANNY ESTRADA had six rebounds for El Capitan (5-8), which was playing its first game since Dec. 23.

“The break helped us since we had a lot of players out with the flu,” Bickford said.

The Vaqueros will play at University City on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in a non-league game.

MARANATHA CHRISTIAN 66, SANTANA 59 – The Sultans were hot from the start, taking a 19-18 lead through one period, but the Eagles clamped down in the second quarter and led 33-28 at halftime at the Santana New Year’s Classic.

The Sultans (8-5) will face Valhalla (2-9) in a Grossmont Conference matchup on Thursday at 7:30 in another Santana New Year’s Classic game.