Pack stops Valhalla, RedHawks fall late

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: January 24, 2024

2023-24 HIGH SCHOOL PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

ECS staff report

WEST HILLS 56, VALHALLA 39

RANCHO SAN DIEGO — The host Valhalla Norsemen led throughout most of the first half, but when West Hills found a way to placce a lid over the basket, the offense of Orange Nation sputters to allow the Wolf Pack to Tuesday’s (Jan. 22) Grossmont Valley League victory.

West Hills (15-7 overall, 2-1 GVL) itilized a pro style, isolation offense tp prevent the defense of Valhalla (10-5, 1-2 GVL) fromhelping other defenders. The result was a bunch of open shots inthe second half to pull away.

The result propeled both squads into a tie for second place, giving frontruning Steele Canyon (15-7, 4-0 GVL) a 1.5-game advantage.

Steele Canyon, except for the score,did not make a game reporton its victory over El Cajon Valley, 68-20. Notcounting the COVID-19 season, it was the Cougar’s 25th win in 26 meetings with th Braves.

According to ECVHS, Cougars center Deanna Guerrero dominated the boards with more than 12 rebounds. Guerrero, a 6-foot-2 senior center, is also one of the state’s top wrestlers.

SAN DIEGO ACADEMY 31,
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 13

NATIONAL CITY – With memvers of the Mountain Empiree wrestling team on hand to supprot the school’s team, the RedHawks were within a basket early in the third quarter in Tuesdaqy’s (Jan. 23) Sierra League contest… but the rood fell in.

Moving to within 12-10, host San Diego Academy closed on a 19-03 run to skate to a 31013 decision on the new court at the SDA Dome. The court was recent replaced after the building was flooded a few years ago.

For Mountain EMpire (4-12 overall, 1-3 league), center Bibi Caceres got looseinside for an early bucket in the second half, but the RedHawks suddenly went cold from the field, converting just one additional basket the rest of the way.

Still, a solid defensive effort kept them close in case the shooting touch returned.

for the Cavaliers (3-10, 2-2), snapping the tie for third place between the schools in Sierra League copetition.

The early lead came courtesy of seven points in the first half by Micha KatulaC, along with five points from Harmony SantosC. Bpth are sophomopre guards and co-captains.

GHL

In the final games of the first round, Helix topped defending champion Mount Miguel to complete the first round with a 5-0 record.

The Scotties (15-4 overall) now own a ful 2-game lead over three compeitors– El Capitan, Granite Hills and Grossmont — which all split with each other in their round robin of contests.

For Helix, Jordyn McMillan led with 21 points, one of four players to score in double figures. The others were ordan Lindsey (17 points), Valerie Marquz (14) and Michaelle Whyte (14).

Granite Hills gained its share of second place by downing visiting Grossmont, 33-26, while El Capitan whipped Monte Vista, 64-35.

For Mount Miguel (0-5 in league), the setback officially ends their streak of consecutive league championships at 23 straight years.