ROUNDUP: Vaqueros, Matadors, Norse win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: December 22, 2018

Mount Miguel and Granite Hills tip off on Friday night. / photo by Liz Larceval-Shawcroft

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SAN DIEGO – The El Capitan Vaqueros were strong defensively in the first half, as they defeated High Tech San Diego, 59-31, on Friday.

Junior guard Jake Pfitzner had his shot going early, as he finished with 14 points, including four three-pointers for the Vaqueros.

Senior center Randy Tucker added 10 points, eight rebounds, five blocks, and three steals.

Junior Jaqori Harris had six steals for El Capitan.

Junior point guard Harrison Morton handed out five assists.

“Our kids played hard tonight,” El Capitan assistant coach ERIK HUR said. “Tucker anchors our defense and had a big game.

“Jaqori Harris, Nick Cashman, and Nathan Schunk all played key roles with their intensity, hustle, and energy all game long.”

El Capitan improved to 5-6 and will look to get to the .500-mark on Saturday against Chula Vista.

MOUNT MIGUEL 93, GRANITE HILLS 64 – The Matadors defeated the Eagles in a Grossmont Tournament matchup at El Capitan High

Mount Miguel led 25-4 in the first quarter.

“(We) actually played okay after another slow start put us down,” Granite Hills head coach DANNY DUFFY said.

The Eagles cut it to nine in the second quarter.

Granite Hills’ John Vrsich had 13 boards to go with 12 points despite being in foul trouble all game.

“I think we just settled in we were a little scared I think in the beginning than halftime came around and we got the game to like seven points,” Vrsich said. “We just started to play as a unit and played good basketball.”

McKay Roberts had 27 points for the Eagles.

“We always come out slow and that is the death of us,” Roberts said. “We have to change our mindset going into a game and become the aggressor.

“It’s a team sport and everyone is still learning how to play. Our schedule has been tough but we know come league all the struggle will be worth it

“It’s a process but we definitely have to pick it up as a team in practice.”

The Eagles’ Eric Hogan came off the bench and got 11 rebounds.

“We need to start the game way better,” Vrsich said. “We always start behind so we need to find a way to flip the switch on before the tip-off.

Mount Miguel improved to 7-3, while Granite Hills fell to 2-8.

“We really missed Caleb Erickson’s defense this game,” Duffy said. “He is out with a foot injury.”

Mount Miguel had a terrific night shooting.

“We knew Mount Miguel was good,” Duffy said. “Jay (Rowlett) is a great coach. We had no idea they could shoot that well. If they continue that shooting they will be tough for anyone to beat.”

VALHALLA 58, MARANATHA CHRISTIAN 42 – The Norsemen tied the school record for three-pointers made in a game with 14.

The mark tied the record set during the 1990-91 season

DOMINIC SAFART led the barrage with 23 points, while teammate JOE AVALOS added 14.

Valhalla had seven three-pointers in the first half and led the Eagles 31-15 at intermission.

They came out even hotter at the start of the second half.

Valhalla improved to 7-2.

**Banner at Escondido High on Friday night.**

ESCONDIDO 89, WEST HILLS 62 – It was a tough night for the West Hills Wolf Pack, but the evening was highlighted by a nice tribute to the late coach JEFF ARMSTRONG by head coach Paul Baldwin and the Escondido Cougars.

The Wolf Pack hung for a half against a hot-shooting Cougar team but faded in the second half.

West Hills’ KYLE DOBYNS was hot in the first half, scoring 16 points. He finished with 23 on the evening.

The Pack’s MATTHEW MCDONALD had a nice performance with 12 points, including 4-of-4 from the line.

West Hills senior point guard MICHAEL TOTAH had nine points.

“I’m still proud of the boys,” West Hills coach TIM BARRY said. “(It was) a good test to get ready for league.”

OLYMPIAN 53, STEELE CANYON 46 – The Cougars were terrific in the second and third quarters, eventually turning an eight-point deficit after one period into a two-point lead entering the final eight minutes of play.

However, the Eagles would lead by 10 with 54 seconds to play.

The Cougars fell to 2-11, while Olympian is now 10-2.

CHAPARRAL 60, MONTE VISTA 45 – The Monarchs fell to 6-5 after falling to the visiting Pumas (7-4), of Temecula, in a game at El Capitan High.

MVHS led 12 -10 after one quarter and was up early in the second 21-12.

However, the scored was tied at the half 32-all.

Monte Vista was outscored 21-6 in the third quarter.

“Too many turnovers to start the third with five early,” Monte Vista head coach MIKE TULLY said. “(We) need to learn from this,”

EASTLAKE 59, SANTANA 52 – DYLAN FINKEY had 15 points and DESMOND WILLIAMS scored 12 points but the Sultans fell in a Grossmont Winter Tournament game at Eastlake High.

EastCountySports.com