Christian rallies from 18 down in 4th

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: January 15, 2025

2024-25 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer

DEL CERRO – Less than two games into the City League basketball season, the Christian Patriots found themselves on the brink of elimination while trailing Patrick Henry by 18 points through three quarters.

“We bought in to coach (Will) Cunningham’s system,” said junior point guard Julian LeBel.”We collectively bought into what he’s been preaching to us.”

A total team focus saw Christian out-score Patrick Hnery by an astounding 21-2 count the final period, capped by a tie-breaking free throw by LeBel with 2.1 seconds reamining for a stunning 60-59 triumph.

Patrick Henry shot more than 50 percent from the floor through three periods, leaving Christian facing a 57-39 deficit. However, the margin soon disappeared when Christian scored the opening 18 points of the final stanza to pull even with 1:01 remaining.

There were no more Patrick Henry drives to the nasket by the guards, no easy put-back buckets off offensive rebounds — like a light switch, the door was completely closed by the defense.

Patrick Henry’s Jacob Baker answered to reclaim a brief lead, but Christian scored the last three points to complete the vcomrback.

What hurt the hosts most down the stretch were a pair of fouls, including the push from behind on LeBel, on the complete opposite end of the court.

LeBel grabbed a defensive rebound, then walked to the other end for his foul shots. He missed the first to keep the contedst level at 59-all, yet calmly sank the second shot.

“The defensive effort eas really good, the 2-1-2 worked,” noted Christian guard Ronnie Scott. “Everyone was physical and we didn’t get down on each other.”

The host Patriots led the visiting Pats 17-6 after one period, with lead reaching in the 15 points before Christian started trading baskets to stay close.

But when Christian stopped most of the guard penetration of Patrick Henry’s Baker (13 points) and Owen Andersen, , the tide quickly shifted.

LeBel paced Christian with 26 points, including 13 of Christian’s 21 final-period points.

Scott was the lone answer for points in the first half, tallying 11 of his 15 points early on.

Anthony Lee also drained a trio of 3-point shots for his 9 points, joining teammate Dwight McDonald with key triples in the third period to krrp them within range.

For Patrick Henry (8-13 overall, 1-1 City), center Akex Newlands and forward Sami Tabar both matched Scott with a team-best 13 points.

Christian (12-5 overall, 1-1 City), which had won 9-of-10 before falling to San Diego in the league opener,finally gets an opportunity to play at home following a month-long road trip.The Patriots will entertain Lincoln on Friday (Jan. 17) at 7:30 p.m.

The following home game is listed as a 2 p.m. holiiday special against Capostrano Valley of San Juan Capistrano on Monday (Jan. 20).

Scoreboard

Tue., Jan. 14
Steele Canyon 55, Mount Miguel 51
Santana 64, ECVHS 34
Granite Hills 71, at West Hills 51
Valhalla 50, Grossmont 43
Monte Vista 71, at El Capitan 37 – Scoring: Garret Tully (MV) 13.
Christian 60, at Patrick Henry 59
Ramona 74, San Pasqual 63