Hot Cool burns Torreys for 26 points, upset win

By Bill Dickens
Updated: January 31, 2016

2015-16 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

By Bill Dickens

© East County Sports.com

SAN YSIDRO (1-31-16) — Led by MARQUELL COOL’s 26 points and 9 rebounds, the West Hills Wolf Pack stunned La Jolla Country Day 74-70 in Saturday’s (Jan. 30) challenge game at San Ysidro.

The victory, which raised the Wolf Pack record to 15-4, could vault the Pack into the Top 10.

No. 8 ranked La Jolla Country Day fell to 20-3.

In arguably his best game of the season, a 5-foot-10 junior guard, Cool nailed 9 of 13 shots from the field and was 4-for-4 from the free throw line. He also made 4 steals.

“He was superb tonight,” said West Hills coach JEFF ARMSTRONG of Cool. “Just his rebounding alone is something special considering he’s a small guard.”

MARCO OVIES pitched in 13 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal.

“Ovies did a good job of distributing the ball and was solid in directing our transition game,” Armstrong added.

Armstrong noted that LJCD has speedy backcourt talent that likes to attack the basket.

That’s where 6-foot-5 CHRIS MOYER came through with 4 blocks.

“They would break through but he would meet them at the basket and swatted away several shots,” Armstrong recalled.

CESAR CURET came off the bench and impressed Armstrong with his play.

“He was everywhere,” the coach said.

Since these teams are both in Division 2, Armstrong realized the value of toppling the Torreys.

“It was a good measuring stick for our division,” he said. “In general, just a nice victory for us.”

West Hills: Marquell Cool 26 (9 reb, 1 ast, 4 stl), Marco Ovies 13 (3 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl), Bryce Parsons 10 (4 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl), Cesar Curet 7 (1 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk), Chris Moyer 6 (4 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 4 blk), Kyle Ruiz 6 (2 reb, 7 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk), Miguel Nava 2 (3 reb, 1 blk), Spencer Moyer 2 (1 reb, 1 ast), Nathan Ball 2, Cameron Barry (1 reb, 2 ast).

VALHALLA 70, HORIZON 64 (OT) – Valhalla outscored Horizon 13-7 in overtime to squeeze out a non-league victory at San Diego Mesa College on Saturday (Jan. 30).

COLE HENDERSON scored 5 of his 18 points on a 3-pointer and 2 free throws in the extra session to propel Valhalla (15-7) to the victory.

Henderson finished the contest with another powerful outing that included 18 points, 22 rebounds, 6 assists, one steal and 6 blocks.

The Norsemen fell behind Horizon 20-11 in the first quarter but came back to take a 2-point halftime lead.

Assistant coach DON ROLLINS attributed the Norsemen’s slow start to committing five turnovers in the first four minutes.

MATTHEW SAKO added 15 points and 11 rebounds in a nifty double-double for Valhalla.

NATHAN YOUSIF also tallied 15 points, the majority coming on a trio of treys, while JORDAN ELLIS contributed 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

The balanced Norsemen attack continued with 8 points and 2 blocks from JOHN MURAD, who also hit a pair of free throws in the extra session.

Valhalla: Cole Henderson 18 (22 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl, 6 blk), Matthew Sako 15 (11 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl), Nathan Yousif 15 (1 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl), Jordan Ellis 12 (5 reb, 4 ast), John Murad 8 (3 reb, 1 ast, 2 blk), Kai Komaki 2 (1 reb, 2 ast).