Pack primed. ready, with tourney title

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: January 8, 2023

2022-23 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

ECS staff report

SANTEE — With league play just days away, West Hills is proven to be the most prepared boys basketball team, off to a school-record 15-2 start.

The Wolf Pack extended their winning streak to an East County season-best 11 straight,capped by four straight to capture the Santana Tournament.

Three of the triumphs came against Grossmont Conference competition, stopping Grossmont (59-46), Granite Hills (59-50) and Monte Vista (67-43) to secure the championship. The other win game in the Pack’s second tournament contest, whipping Imperial (58-37).

Game Highlights

Vs Grossmont

Story/Photos HERE

Vs. Imperial

The Imperial Tigers (5-4 overall) feature 6-foot-7 center David Scariana, one of the CIF-San Diego Section’s leading scorers at more than 27 points per outing. However, West Hills limited the junior post to just 11 points to post 21-point triumph.

Zeid Salem tallied 12 of his game-best 20 points in the first half, leading the Pack to s 33-12 halftime cushion. He nailed 9-of-13 shots from the floor, then completed an impressive double-double with 10 assists.

Bench scoring included 10 by Brent Hillman and 9 from Chance Owens for West Hills.

Vs. Granite Hills

With West Hills in a look-ahead situation after already defeating Granite Hills one week earlier, the Eagles were in prime position to avenge their loss.

Instead, the Wolf Pack also limited Granite Hills to a mere 12 firs-half points with their half-court pressure on defense to waltz to a perfect 3-0 pool play record.

Salem again led with 19 points and 7 rebounds, but the difference maker down the stretch was senior Spencer Burke, who drained 7-of-8 foul shots in the final period.

“This was a complete team effort,” said head coach Tim Barry. “Nine of our 10 players were in the scoring column”

“After a tight first quarter, we blew the game open with great half-court defensive pressure.”

For Granite Hills, senior Lawond Zangana scored a game-high 23 points, but 8 of those were cospetic points inthe late-going with contest already decided. Parlan Sanders,another senior, tallied 8 of his 13 points in the closing minutes.

Vs. Monte Vista

West Hills saw seven players register 6 or more points in a one-sided decision over the Monarchs. The Pack mounted a 31-16 lead at the break, then utilized a 17-11 margin in the third to race to a comfortable lead.

Salem was against the leading scorer with 13, but five points in the second period by both Bronson Roos and Easton Peterson off-set Monte Vista’s effort to slow down Salem.

“Going 4-0 in the tournament was a big confidence booster for us and helpful in the D-3 Power rankings,” added Barry. “It’s a nic e test going into our league opener on Tuesday.”