Knights off to fast Coastal start

By Ramon Scott
Updated: January 10, 2018

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

ESCONDIDO – The third-ranked Foothills Christian Knights defeated Orange Glen, 70-57, to become the first team to reach three Coastal League wins already in the young season.

Only red-hot La Jolla Country Day is still undefeated in league play with a 1-0 record. The Knights already hold a one-game lead over the Torreys thanks to their 3-0 mark.

TAESHON CHERRY scored 22 points and DERRICK CARTER-HOLLINGER added 15 points for the Knights, who went well into their bench in this one.

Earlier in the day, Cherry, a senior, was nominated to participate in the 41st McDonald’s All-American Games in Chicago. 24 players will be selected for the boys game from a list of over 300 nominees.

Foothills Christian, under head coach BRAD LEAF, has sent one player in each of the last two seasons to high school basketball’s most prestigious all-star showcase game and surrounding festivities.

The Knights next play in the Adidas Hoopfest at Orange Lutheran High.

Riding a 5-game winning streak, Foothills Christian (13-5) has a game against Lynwood on Monday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m.

MADISON 60, VALHALLA 51 – Valhalla got off to a slow start, trailing 12-4 at the end of the first, but rallied to trail just 25-24 at intermission.

Vahalla appeared to keep up the momentum out of halftime, taking a 30-27 lead.

However, the Warhawks opened up a double-digit lead by the end of three quarters.

The Norsemen put together a modest rally in the fourth, pulling to within as close as 56-51.

Valhalla (4-12) will face Granite Hills (10-5) on Friday at 7 in the Grossmont Hills League opener for both teams.