BOYS: Rivera’s free throws lift Braves

By Ramon Scott
Updated: December 1, 2019

2019 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SPRING VALLEY – Junior MJ Rivera had 21 points, including a pair of free throws in the finals seconds, as El Cajon Valley knocked off Victory Christian, 58-56, at the Division 4 Showcase at Monte Vista High

El Cajon Valley senior Ralph Esto scored 19, as the Braves picked up their second win of the season.

“Really proud of my guys,” El Cajon Valley head coach Ray Mills said. “We closed out the game as a team. We are playing like a family.”

Rivera had three three-point field goals on five attempts from long range.

Junior Jonathan Jarquin added nine points for El Cajon Valley.

Junior Anthony Marrouki and freshman Quaylon Byrant both had six points for the Braves.

FALLBROOK 52, MONTE VISTA 50 – The undefeated Warriors improved to 5-0 by defeating the Monarchs in the championship game of the Division 4 Showcase.

Monte Vista was ahead at the half, 33-27, but Fallbrook outscored the Monarchs, 14-6, in the third quarter.

“We had really good energy and focus,” Monte Vista head coach Mike Tully said. “Fallbrook switched to zone and slowed the pace.

Monte Vista fell behind 47-40 in the forth before storming back to take the lead, 50-48.

“Two missed shots late and a breakaway on a non-call cost us,” Tully said. “We are getting better but need to learn from experiences like this.

Monte Vista (3-2) led 18-12 after one quarter.

Dyvarre Dawson and Ivan Maynard both had 12 points for the Monarchs.

Niamiah Alston added eight points and eight rebounds for Monte Vista.

Deron Whitley and Lamonte Jenkins both had six points for the Monarchs.

Maynard, Dawson, and Whitley each added four rebounds apiece.

ST. AUGUSTINE 60, CHRISTIAN 52 – The second-ranked Saints defeated the Patriots at the Regional Rumble at Madison High.

The Patriots trailed 18-3 early so their play from that point had to be deemed impressive against one of the top teams in the county.

Senior Kobe Sanders scored 12 points in the first half. His three-pointer late in the second quarter drew the Patriots to within 26-25 at intermission.

Sanders gave Christian a 28-26 lead early in the third quarter with a field goal but the Saints would go on to retake the lead and finish the third period with a 47-36 advantage.

Senior forward Vincent Warren made a couple of late field goals in the fourth as the Patriots closed to within single digits.

Sanders led CHS with 18 points, while Warren finished with 10 points.

Senior Dasean Lynch had a three0pointer in the fourth quarter for Christian.

Freshman guard Ben Felice had a three-pointer in the first period for the Patriots.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 100, SAN YSIDRO 84 – The third-ranked Knights defeated the sixth-ranked Cougars at the Battlezone tournament at Centennial High in Corona.

Senior Yassine Gharram scored 32 points for Foothills Christian while teammate Derrien Carter-Hollinger added 25 points.

Gharram had 11 rebounds and nine assists, as well.

Knight junior Nico Meza had 19 points.

Jaden LeBel had 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists for FCHS.

Jalai O’Keith had eight points, 10 rebounds, and five assists for Foothills Christian.

Carter-Hollinger added seven points and seven rebounds.

Foothills Christian led 40-37 at halftime.

Freshman star Mikey Williams had 31 points for San Ysidro.

The Knights went 2-2 at the event. FCHS plays next on Dec. 11 at the Grossmont Tournament against University City. Tip-off is at 7:30.

UNIVERSITY CITY 64, GROSSMONT 47 – The host Foothillers led 28-27 at halftime but the Centurions came out with a 22-7 advantage in the third quarter to take command of the contest.

Grossmont fell to 2-3.

The Foothillers will face Christian on Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Grossmont High in the Grossmont Winter Classic.

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