ROUNDUP: Norsemen win Melee tourney

By Ramon Scott
Updated: December 8, 2018

2018 MARINER MELEE TOURNAMENT CHAMPION VALHALLA NORSEMEN

EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

CHULA VISTA – DOMINIC SAFARTA scored 36 points and handed out 11 assists, capturing tournament Most Valuable Player honors as the Valhalla Norsemen ran their record to 5-0 by defeating Clairemont, to win the Mariner Melee tournament on Friday night.

Valhalla’s JOE AVALOS was also named to the all-tournament team.

Avalos made 19 three-pointers in the tournament.

pic.twitter.com/riU8jufo40
— Norsemen Basketball (@Norsemenhoops) December 8, 2018

WEST HILLS 42, SOUTHWEST (El Centro) – The West Hills Wolf Pack won in a defensive battle over visiting Southwest (El Centro), 42-39, on Friday night at the conclusion of the Armstrong Memorial Horsman Automotive Tournament.

The contest was only pretty in the win column but the Wolf Pack has an interesting tandem dominate late in KYLE DOBYNS and OLEK ZUKOVSKYY

Dobyns finished with 15 points in the game, while Zukovskyy, known for his defensive presence inside, scored six points in the fourth quarler.

“It was a battle tonight,” West Hills coach ELIAS TOTAH said. “Not pretty at all on the offensive end, but somehow managed to get stops when we needed to and execute in crucial moments.”

West Hills got out to an 8-3 lead behind three-pointers by ASHTON AVESTRO and CASH CREIGHTON.

Southwest battled back to tie the game at 10-all, but Avestro had a pair of threes to regain the advantage early in the second quarter.

The Eagles took a brief lead, but the Pack led 22-21 at halftime.

“Southwest relied on their athleticism to get us out of our comfort zone,” Totah said. “We just took one possession at a time and put plays together when needed.”

A tight third quarter had West Hills up by two, but the Eagles popped out with a rush to go up 37-34 with five minutes to go.

However, Zukovskyy scored six points down the stretch, including two free throws in the final minute.

“Rim protection from Olek Zzukovskyy tonight helped tremendously,” Totah said. “He has an imposing frame and we like what he gives us on (the defensive) end of the floor.”

Junior EUGENE VAUAUX added four points for West Hills

“It’s amazing to see these young kids battle,” West Hills coach TIM BARRY said. “The young Pack are starting to make some noise.”

MONTE VISTA 59, MARANATHA CHRISTIAN 46 – The Monarchs had three players with double-digit points and assists to beat the Eagles.

DEMARCUS MCKAN had 19 points and 15 assists to lead the Monarchs.

Only a mild comeback in the fourth quarter by Maranatha caught the Monarchs’ attention after a 19-12 push in the third quarter to go up 18 with eight minutes to play.

DERRIC WILEY added 10 points and 10 rebounds for Monte Vista.

The Monarchs led 12-10 after one quarter but pulled out to an 11-point lead at halftime.

JAIDEN DAWN had 12 points and 10 rebounds for MVHS.

“Good team effort and a good road win,” Monte Vista head coach MIKE TULLY said.

Monte Vista improve to 3-4.

MT. CARMEL 48, SANTANA 47 – The Sundevils edged the Sultans to conclude the Horsman Automotive Tournament for both teams.

BRANDON SIMMONS scored 13 points for the Sultans, while teammate DESMOND WILLIAMS added 12 points.

Santana fell to 2-5 overall.

EASTLAKE 51, HELIX 43 – The Titans upset the Highlanders at the Hilltop Invitational.

Helix got 12 points from MAURICE HOLMES and 10 points from JAHARI HILL.

Eastlake caught the Highlanders napping with a 23-9 rush over the first eight minutes.

Eastlake led 46-40 entering the fourth quarter.