Wolf Pack, Vaqueros, Highlanders win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: February 12, 2020

West Hills and Valhalla captains on Tuesday evening.

2020 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SANTEE – On Senior Night at West Hills, the Wolf Pack needed overtime to defeat the visiting Valhalla Norsemen, 82-75, in a dramatic Grossmont Hills League game on Tuesday.

West Hills head coach Tim Barry underestimate the time necessary to finish strong in league play.

What a crazy, crazy, crazy game,” Barry said. “What an incredible job by these boys who pulled together and did it for each other.”

West Hills junior Kyle Dobyns went for 30 points and nine rebounds for West Hills

Senior Jayden Moreno had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Wolf Pack.

The scored was tied 68-all at the end of regulation after the Wolf Pack took a six-point lead into the fourth quarter.

The game was also tied at halftime, 34-all.

Joe Avalos had a three-pointer to start the proceedings for Valhalla. He added another three midway through the period for a 6-5 lead, then canned a third trey in the first to knot the game at 14-all.

With under a minute to go in the first quarter, Ryan Razooky hit a three-pointer to give Valhalla a 17-14 advantage.

The Norsemen took a 22-16 lead in the second quarter on a three-pointer by Faris Hanna.

Kyle Dobyns had a three-pointer with under a minute to go before halftime as the Wolf Pack battled for a 33-32 lead.

Jayden Moreno made an early three-pointer in the third quarter for the first basket of the second half and a 37-34 advantage.

Avalos had a three-pointer a couple of minutes later and Valhalla was back in front, 40-39.

Razooky added another Norsemen three after West Hills had briefly gone back in front.

Then, it was Ayden McClure hitting one from beyond the arc, as West Hills re-took the lead.

Moments later, Avalos had another pair of threes to first tie the game at 46-all, then to give Valhalla a 49-47 edge.

Before the third was over, Dobyns and Hanna traded three-pointers but Valhalla came out on top , 56-50, with eight minutes to play.

McClure’s second three of the game early in the fourth had West Hills closing the gap to 58-53.

Avalos had yet another triple for the Norsemen, who remained ahead, 61-55.

With just over two minutes left, Ashton Avestro made a three-ball to bring the Pack to within 63-60.

In the final minute, Razooky canned a trey for a 68-66 lead for the Norse, but Avestro tied the game with a basket to send the game into overtime.

Dobyns had a pair of baskets in the extra session to help the Pack take a four-point edge, but Razooky hit a three-pointer to close the gap to 74-73.

Avestro had a three-pointer to give the Wolf Pack the lead, 77-73.

West Hills was clutch from the line late in overtime. McClure had a pair of free throws late, as did Avestro.

The Wolf Pack will have a game at Grossmont on Friday. The Wolf Pack are 6-3 in Grossmont Hills League play, while Grossmont is 7-2.

West Hills could claim a chance for a home playoff game in the Division III playoffs with a victory.

EL CAPITAN 75, EL CAJON VALLEY 74 – The El Capitan Vaqueros defeated the El Cajon Valley Braves, 74-54, in the Grossmont Valley League finale for both teams on Tuesday night.

Jake Pfitzner scored 22 points, on 9-of-14 shooting, while grabbing five boards.

Blaize Saiz ended with 16 pts on 7-of-9 from the field, grabbing seven rebounds, and recording a pair of steals.

Harrison Morton came home with 11 points, five assists, and a pair of steals.

That trio of seniors will be honored in the Vaqueros’ season finale on Friday against Liberty Charter. Both teams are headed to the playoffs in their respective divisions.

El Capitan led the Braves just 32-29 at halftime. The Vaqueros outscored ECV, 21-10, in the fourth quarter.

Junior guard R.J. Lugtu scored 14 points for El Capitan, including a trio of three-pointers in the game.

Both El Cap and El Cajon finished with two GVL victories this season. The win was the Vaqueros’ 10th of the year.

“Very proud of our efforts on both ends tonight,” El Capitan head coach Elias Totah said. “We looked composed in all phases. It just felt like a different type of energy tonight from our group. Offensively, Pfitzner and Saiz led the way with an efficient night of basketball, both shooting above 60 percent from the field.

“Lugtu and Morton contributed mightily, as well. Lugtu had a few possessions where he felt comfortable from the perimeter and we were happy with his aggressiveness. Morton was a floor general, creating opportunities for others to have high percentage looks.”

El Cajon got 10 points from senior Isaiah Woodard and eight points from sophomore Jayden Barnett.

We adjusted on the defensive end tonight. Barnett had 25 points against us in the first meeting. We contained him and made him uncomfortable. He is a heck of a talent and we wanted to key on him tonight. Woodard had 20 in our last meeting. A job well done on the defensive end from our guys. Couldn’t be prouder.”

HELIX 102, STEELE CANYON 41 – The ninth-ranked Highlanders broke the century mark in the win at the Cougars’ gym on Tuesday for their 14th-consecutive victory.

Helix looked like a modern-day NBA team by scoring 37 points in the first quarter, except the Scotties did it in four fewer minutes.

Sammy Stewart scored 15 points in the first quarter.

Maurice Holmes and Isaiah Robinson both had a pair of three-pointers in the first period, as well.

Robinson had four threes in the game and finished with 16 points.

Holmes added another three-ball in the second quarter and finished the contest with 18 points.

Keishon Trice had 12 points for the Scotties, while Xavier Otis finished with 10 points.

Jahari Hill and Nick Carlson each had a three-pointer in the game, as well.

Arthur Simpson had a bit of an answer in the early onslaught, knocking down three three-pointers in the first quarter for the Cougars. He was impressive with 21 points for the contest, making six three-point field goals.

Helix can wrap up a perfect Grossmont Hills League season with a win at Mount Miguel on Friday night.

The Highlanders are trying for a top-four seed in the upcoming Division I postseason playoffs.

CHRISTIAN 75, LA JOLLA 49 – The fourth-ranked Patriots defeating the host Vikings with a blistering first quarter.

Christian led 21-5 at the end of one period and extended the lead to 44-19 at halftime.

The Patriots improved to 21-5 overall and 5-3 in the Western League with their fourth consecutive win.

Christian made big waves up the local media poll this week with their impressive back-to-back wins on Friday and Saturday against No. 1 Cathedral Catholic and Francis Parker, who was riding a long winning streak.

The late-season push has Christian surely qualifying for the Open Division playoffs.

GROSSMONT 57, MOUNT MIGUEL 29 – The Foothillers overwhelmed the visiting Matadors early with a 20-2 first-quarter edge.

Grossmont improved to 15-9 on the season. The Foothillers are a possible top-four seed in the upcoming Division III playoffs.

The Matadors are an automatic qualifier in the Division I postseason but are the last seed.

O’FARRELL CHARTER 68, LIBERTY CHARTER – The Falcons edged the Lions in a critical Summit League game as O’Farrell remained unbeaten in league play.

Liberty was hoping for a possible share of a title in the Summit but slipped to 6-2.

O’Farrell has won 14-straight games.

Junior Jonah Belprez scored 20 points for LCHS.

Junior Tyler Snell added 16 points for the Lions, while fellow junior Layden Swanson added 13 points.

That trio combined for 29 rebounds.

Liberty blocked ten shots as a team combined.

The Lions are headed to the postseason in Division V although they have the game with El Cap remaining on Friday night in Lakeside at 7:30 p.m.

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