Foothills Christian center T.J. Leaf (22) quickly rises for the rebound against Sweetwater. (Photo by Phillip Brents, courtesy Chula Vista Star News)

By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
NATIONAL CITY (3-5-14) — Two of the top notch boys basketball crews in the San Diego Section locked up in one of the top shootouts in Tuesday (Mar. 4) semifinals of Division III San Diego playoffs.

Undefeated Sweetwater (28-0) began the game on a 7-0 run and led 11-3 before Foothills Christian mounted its first small comeback, as the Red Devils took a 61-54 decision.

Yje Knights posted their own run to move to within 11-8, but another 7-0 run by the hosts to close the quarter gave the Red Devils ann 18-8 lead. The run went to 12 straight points in the second quarter before T.J. LEAF got the team on the board. Sweetwater had their largest lead at 28-13 but Foothills trimmed the lead to 10 at the half. Foothills committed 11 turnovers in each half.

In the third, Foothills Christian started out well with an inside hoop by Leaf. Then a bucket by JAVIER GUERRERO off a steal and assist by LUIS SALGADO cut the lead to 33-27. The lead ballooned to 49-29. At the end of three with the score at 48-38, the lead never reached double digits again

With 2:57 remaining, Leaf was whistled for his 5th foul as C.J. Cadua (Sweetwater) threw up a backwards circus shot while falling toward the basket backwards.

Coach BRAD LEAF was heated but did not receive a technical. Foothills actually closed a 10-point gap from that moment to 3 points at 57-54 when senior CALEB HOFFMAN connected on a driving layup and two free throws.

Sweetwater then had a player eliminated on another questionable call. DANE NORMAN was then whistled for his 5th foul, as was JAVIER GUERRERO.

Foothills was trailing 59-54 with 50 seconds to play when Coach Leaf decided to try to force a tough shot rather than foul and send Sweetwater to the line. The gamble paid off as Sweetwater turned the ball over to Foothills with about 29 seconds to play.

Hoffman brought the ball in and with a defender riding him sideways across the court, bounced the ball off his foot. No call was awarded and at this point Coach Leaf was whistled for a technical. Sweetwater connected on one shot. A missed 3 and a few Sweetwater foul shots later the game ended.

Sweetwater severely out rebounded the Knights on the evening.

Some streaky shooting early in the game helped Sweetwater build leads as a number of players connected from 3-point land.

Poor free throw shooting hurt the Knights. They were 9-for-13, while the Red Devils were deadly with 23-for-28

The Knights have played better games, but this was not the time to falter.

Foothills Christian: T.J. Leaf 23 (15 reb, 3 ast, 5 blk, 2 stl), Caleb Hoffman 14 (7 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl), Dane Norman 7 (7 reb, 1 stl), Javier Guerrero 5 (3 ast, 1 stl), Luis Salgado 5 (2 reb), Daniel Hoffman (1 reb, 1 stl), J.R. Rivera (2 reb, 2 blk).

Foothills Christian's Caleb Hoffman (4) scores on a driving layin vs. Sweetwater. (Photo by Phillip Brents, courtesy Chula Vista Star News)

TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN 62, EL CAJON VALLEY 60 – The postseason ended for El Cajon Valley on Tuesday night (Mar. 4) when Tri-City Christian’s John Luke Reinke scored on a sideline floater with 8 seconds left in the San Diego Section Division IV semifinals.

“This is a bitter defeat. . . a game we should have won,” said coach MARTY ELLIS, who has led the Braves to 90 wins in the last two seasons.

The Braves had one belated comeback but could not get off a shot in the last 9 seconds.

“I guess you could say, as disappointing as this loss was, I guess we made history,” said Ellis.

Ellis was talking about the Braves winning two playoff games and falling one short of the CIF championships.

“This is the best group I’ve ever coached, since we reached the semifinals for the first time,” said Ellis.

“I think our future is pretty good since we have four returning starters,” he added.

El Cajon Valley: Brenden Brocious 17, Ibrahim Ali 16, Raymier Barabin 9, Syon Hicks 8, Mike Readus 6, Drake Afaisen 4.

Valhalla sophomore Cole Henderson (Photo by Don DeMars Photography) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-2-14) — Foothills Christian High ranks among the most successful small-school basketball programs in the San Diego Section this century, but there remains one hurdle which often gets in the school's way.

The Knights own five CIF section crowns over the past seven seasons, but in those two failed campaigns, they fell in the section final to Horizon, including last year's title game.

Just call in motivation. The Knights placed five players in double figures, topped by a 23-point effort from center T.J. LEAF, building a big halftime advantage to take out the defending champion Panthers, 71-59, in Saturday's (Mar. 1) quarterfinals at Granite Hills.

With the triumph, Foothills Christian advances to make its eighth consecutive San Diego Section final four appearance.

Both programs were among the best in Division V, but the new section playoff alignment formula found the teams now battling in a deeper Division 3 field. However, the Knights continue to rise no matter the competition.

Taking control from the opening tip, senior guard CALEB HOFFMAN collected four of his game-high seven assists in the opening quarter, when Leaf posted seven of his points to mount a fast 22-11 lead. By the half, Foothills Christian pushed the cushion to 42-23.

"Horizon showed a bunch of different defenses at us, but it didn't really matter," noted Leaf, which held a significant height advantage unlike recent seasons. "There was definitely a difference in their team."

Still, the Panthers played like champions, trimming a 21-point deficit down to six on a driving layin by senior Drake Hills with 2:05 remaining. He was also fouled, but missed the foul shot.

Good Knight, now Foothills Christian seeks to advance to an 8th straight CIFSDS championship game    Year        Div.   Result, Opponent 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14    V V V V V V V 3   W 68-64, Calvin Christian   W 66-55, Maranatha Christian   W 60-56, Maranatha Christian   W 79-57, Maranatha Christian   L 40-62, Horizon   W 44-36, The Rock   L 37-52, Horizon   — The front line of Foothills Christian will need to contend with Raven Middleton (11) and Oscar Picazo (15) of Sweetwater in Tuesday's CIF Division 3 semifinals. (Photo by Don DeMars Photography) SuHi eliminates Valhalla By Bill Dickens © East County Sports.com NATIONAL CITY (3-2-14) — The Valhalla Norsemen flirted with knocking off the undefeated Red Devils in Saturday’s (Mar. 1) Division III San Diego Section quarterfinals before Sweetwater claimed a 73-64 win. The Norsemen (15-13) took early leads of 6-1 and 15-10 but couldn’t hang on. “Sweetwater came in averaging more than 80 points per game,” Valhalla coach KEITH JACKSON said. “We tried to keep pace and we never stopped fighting.” JORDAN QSAR had a powerful double-double for the Norsemen of 22 points and 21 rebounds. “The thing about Jordan is he never gives up, none of our guys do,” Jackson said. “He’s a fighter to the end.” Jackson said Sweetwater has excellent speed and can shoot from the outside. “But we were able to exploit them from the inside,” he noted. “Their Spencer Mattox and Charles Cadua combined for 40 points in the first half.” Valhalla trailed by 7 points at the break. DAVID GAZALE scored 16 points for Valhalla , while JACOB HAMMETT added 10. Jackson pointed out that the Red Devils tried to force the game into a half-court battle. “They broke our press, but we able to handle their half-court press,” he noted. Valhalla: Jordan Qsar 22 (21 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk, 1 stl), David Gazale 16 (2 reb, 2 ast), Jacob Hammett 10 (6 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl), George Fakhoury 9 (5 reb, 5 ast, 1 blk, 4 stl), Trey Schimke 5 (7 reb, 3 blk), Jake Bassette 2 (5 reb, 1 blk, 1 stl), Cole Henderson (2 reb, 1 blk), Terrell McKay (4 reb) George Fakhoury (top) and Jordan Qsar of Valhalla. (Photos by Don DeMars Photography)

"We controlled what we needed to control to win," said Leaf. "Like that play by Javier, we were getting to loose balls all night."

LUIS SALGADO also slowed Horizon's second-half rally, hitting a pair of triples in the fourth quarter as part of his 14 points.

Guerrero finished with 13 points from off the bench. Hoffman finished with 11 points, while DANE NORMAN had 10.

For Horizon, Ethan Underwood paced the Panthers with 15 points.

With the victory, Foothills Christian (20-8) reached the 20-win plateau for the seventh time in eight seasons. They will meet top-seeded Sweetwater – a 73-64 victory over Valhalla – in Tuesday's (Mar.4) semifinals in National City , starting at 7 p.m.

Foothills Christian: T.J. Leaf 23 (5 reb, 5 ast, 4 blk), Luis Salgado 15 (8 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl), Javier Guerrero 13 (3 reb, 1 stl), Caleb Hoffman 11 (8 ast, 1 stl), Dane Norman 10 (3 reb).

Braves, Cougars roll to victories

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (3-2-14) — BRENDEN BROCIOUS banged in 26 points, including a pair of treys to lead El Cajon Valley High past Bonita Vista,68-42m in the Division IV San Diego Section quarterfinals on Saturday (Mar. 1) before a home crowd.

Ferocious Brocious was the Braves’ main man as he nailed 8 buckets, including a pair of treys and 4 of 5 free throws.

“We led all the way but Bonita Vista cut it to 9 in the 3rd quarter. Brocious had three jumpers in a row in the 3rd quarter and gave us some breathing room,” said Braves coach MARTY ELLIS.

“Brenden was really on tonight. He came out hot – he was very disciplined tonight. I thought our defense was really strong tonight.”

“Bonita Vista has two big 6-foot-8 guys and I was a little concerned about them, but our defense handled them. We put Brendan in the best sports to get 26 points – he was aggressive tonight, attacking the basket.”

“SYON (HICKS) went to the line 9 times and converted on 8,” Ellis said. “I was proud of him.”

The Braves were 18 of 23 on free throw shooting as a team.

Hicks finished with 15 points, while IBRAHIM ALI added 13.

“We’re trying to do something that’s never been done at El Cajon Valley High School and that is win a CIF championship.”

“My rotation was really low tonight,” Ellis said. “I wasn’t going to let it get away from us. We had a very good lead (12 points) at halftime.

“We really had good support from the alumni tonight, and Santana and Monte Vista were here, giving good support for the league.”

El Cajon Valley: Brenden Brocious 26, Syon Hicks 15, Ibrahim Ali 13, Drake Afaisen 6, Raymier Barabin 3.

STEELE CANYON 68, SANTA FE CHRISTIAN 56 – Steele Canyon dribbled into the semifinals by eliminating Santa Fe Christian in Saturday’s (Mar. 1) Division II San Diego Section quarterfinals.

LYDON NEWSOM came off the bench to score 11 points in the 2nd quarter, where he banged in 3 three-pointers.

The Cougars rallied from a first quarter deficit and took a commanding 20-point lead by the end of the 3rd quarter.

ZACH KISSEL punched in 12 points for the Cougars as did DYLAN HAMLETT, while TANNER PERRY added 11.

The Cougars nailed 10 three-pointers, including 3 by Perry.

Steele Canyon: Zach Kissel 12, Dylan Hamlett 12, Lydon Newsom 11, Tanner Perry 11, Dominick Wood-Anderson 7, Aaron Pisiona 6, Robert Teo 5, Tyler Gulino-Jones 3, Thomas Higginbotham 1.

Valhalla's George Fakhoury pulls up for a wide-open jumpe rin overtime against Olympian. (Photo by Don DeMars Photography) ADDITIONAL PHOTOS HERE

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-27-14) — This was a victory that the Valhalla Norsemen coveted as they edged visiting Olympian in overtime, 61-59, in a San Diego Section Division III first round playoff game.

This game dribbled into overtime with the teams tied at 51-all.

The Norsemen took the quick lead as DAVID GAZALE hit a 3-pointer. GEORGE FAKHOURY added a couple of free throws.

The game eventually came down to the final minute when a bucket by JACOB HAMMETT broke a tie in overtime, 59-57. Fakhoury added two more free throws to put the game away.

“This was a huge victory for us,” said Valhalla coach KEITH JACKSON.

Gazale finished with 18 points, JORDAN QSAR pitched in 17 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and Fakhoury totaled 10 points for the game.

Valhalla: David Gazale 18 (6 reb, 3 ast), Jordan Qsar 17 (16 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl), George Fakhoury 10 (4 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl), Cole Henderson 7 (4 reb, 1 stl), Jacob Hammett 6 (5 reb, 1 ast, 3 blk, 2 stl), Trey Schimke 3 (6 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk), Terrell McKay (3 reb), Jake Bassette (2 ast).

Valhalla's Jordan Qsar on the drive. (Photo by Don DeMars Photography)

UNIVERSITY CITY 51, GROSSMONT 47 (OT) – When it comes to overtime, the odds are against the Grossmont Foothillers. The proof is the Foothillers have lost three of five overtime contests, including this one.

Maybe the game should be halted after regulation, but that would not favor FRANK FOGGIANO’s squad this season.

The University City Centurions held on the overtime period of Wednesday’s (Feb. 26) Division I San Diego Section first round playoffs.

The score was tied at 46-46 at the end of regulation.

Grossmont had the lead on 4-7 free throws in the 4th quarter, but was only 1 of 6 in the overtime.

“It came down to free throws, and we didn’t make them,” said Foothillers coach FRANK FOGGIANO.

TOMMY RUTHERFORD led Grossmont with 17 points and 22 rebounds, but none of the other Foothillers scored in double digits.

Grossmont: Tommy Rutherford 17 (22 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl), Anthony Lawrence 8 (2 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl), J.T. Barnes 6 (6 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl), Christian Meno 6 (4 reb), Rome Harris 3 (1 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl), Cameron Henderson 3 (3 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl), Carl Blanchard 2 (6 reb, 2 ast), Kyle Williams 2 (2 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl).

STEELE CANYON 84, LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY 44 – One of the East County survivors of the first round playoffs was Steele Canyon , which crushed La Jolla Country Day in the San Diego Section Division II playoffs on Wednesday (Feb. 26).

The Cougars (21-6) were never in doubt against the Torreys.

ZACH KISSEL came up with usual hot hand with 17 points and DYLAN HAMLETT hit 16. AARON PISIONA added 15 points and LYDON NEWSOM pitched in 11.

One of the unsung heroes for the Cougars has been guard TANNER PERRY, who notched 8 points including a pair of 3s

“He’s the kind of guy a coach dreams to have,” said Cougars coach DEREK STEPHENS.

The irony is that Perry’s favorite sport is baseball.

Steele Canyon: Zach Kissel 17, Dylan Hamlett 16, Aaron Pisiona 15, Lydon Newsom 11, Tanner Perry 8, Dominick Wood-Anderson 8, Donovan Zetouna 3, Robert Teo 2, Tyler Gulino-Jones 2, Ryan Razooky 1.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 85, RAMONA 64 – Foothills Christian rolled over the Ramona Bulldogs on the strength of T.J. LEAF, who poured in 35 points and 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 blocks in Wednesday’s (Feb. 26) first round of the Division III San Diego Section playoffs against Ramona.

Knights coach BRAD LEAF didn’t have much to say about the game as the numbers spoke for themselves.

LUIS SALGADO pumped in 15 points and DANE NORMAN added 11 for Foothills Christian.

Foothills Christian: T.J. Leaf 35 (10 reb, 8 ast, 4 blk), Luis Salgado 15 (3 reb, 2 ast, 6 stl), Dane Norman 11 (4 reb, 2 ast, 4 blk), Caleb Hoffman 9 (3 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl), J.R. Rivera 8 (2 reb, 1 ast, 2 blk), Javier Guerrero 7 (3 reb, 1 ast).

EL CAJON VALLEY 86, ESCONDIDO CHARTER 35 – Host El Cajon Valley made it clear which was the superior team as the Braves outscored the White Tigers 69-27 after three quarters in Wednesday’s (Feb. 26) first round of the Division IV San Diego Section playoffs.

Hot-handed IBRAHIM ALI poured in 24 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished 9 assists and made 6 steals to pace the Braves (18-10).

“Ali had a really efficient game,” said Braves coach MARTY ELLIS. “He came out ready to play, really distributed the ball well. He was very aggressive.”

BRENDEN BROCIOUS added 19 points and 6 rebounds, while MIKE READUS had 14 points and 5 rebounds.

“DRAKE AFAISEN set the table again for us tonight.”

“We play Bonita Vista in the quarterfinals (Saturday, Mar. 1) at home,” said Ellis. “We beat them in their tournament.”

El Cajon Valley: Ibrahim Ali 24 (8 reb, 9 ast, 6 stl), Brenden Brocious 19 (6 reb, 1 ast), Mike Readus 14 (5 reb, 2 stl), Drake Afaisen 11 (2 ast, 5 stl), Syon Hicks 7 (1 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl), Brandon Rumley 6 (7 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk, 3 stl), Ahmad Sulyman 3 (1 reb, 1 stl), Damaje Hodges 2 (4 reb), William Pato (2 reb).

IMPERIAL 59, WEST HILLS 57 – CHASE PARSONS missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have won it for the Wolf Pack, but the shot rimmed and came off in the first round of the Division III San Diego Section playoffs on Wednesday (Feb. 26) in the desert.

“It was a tough way to end the season,” said West Hills assistant coach LUCAS ARMSTRONG. “We didn’t play our best game tonight, which was a little disappointing. Very little energy at times in the game.

“Also it was a tough spot for us in Division III – we were the only higher seed who had to go on the road and it happens to be Imperial. Questionable calls down the stretch didn’t go our way.”

“Other than that the kids still had a great season. We were very proud of their efforts….2nd place in league and 17-9 overall.”

West Hills was 10-for-11 from the free throw line.

BRENT WILDER scored 16 points for West Hills and grabbed 5 rebounds.

“We had good first and fourth quarters but not so good middle quarters,” Armstrong said.

West Hills: Chase Parsons 20 (4 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk), Brent Wilder 16 (5 reb), Nick Zoree 5 (6 reb, 2 ast), Marco Ovies 5 (2 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl), D.J. Lewis 4 (5 reb, 1 blk), Thomas Reaney 3 (5 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl), Joe Mansour 2 (2 reb, 1 stl), Ricardo Barajas 2 (1 ast).

OTAY RANCH 59, MONTE VISTA 55 – Attempting to recover from a 10-0 first quarter deficit, the Monarchs scrambled back and took a 52-51 lead in the 4th quarter of Wednesday’s (Feb. 26) Division II San Diego Section first round playoff game.

“We were playing catch-up for awhile,” Monte Vista coach MIKE TULLY. “We made some adjustments and played well defensively in the second half. We could have crumbled but we didn’t.”

“For a good portion of the fourth quarter we outscored Otay Ranch. We fought back and took a 1-point lead. With 3 minutes left, they pressed us and we had a bad call. It completely turned our momentum around. We had a chance to win the game but let it slip through our fingers.

“The fact that we ran out of timeouts didn’t help our situation. We just wouldn’t slow down, and that’s not our game.”

The Monarchs were led by junior ADAM WALLACE with 17 markers, while TORY SANDERS scored all 15 of his points in the first half. He also grabbed 8 rebounds.

JORDAN JACKSON was big on the boards with 13 caroms.

Monte Vista : Adam Wallace 17, Tory Sanders 15 (8 reb), Jemeil Jackson 9, Jordan Jackson 8 (13 reb), Thomas Walker 7 (4 stl).

WESTVIEW 56, HELIX 39 – The Helix Highlanders were dealt a healthy dose of Westview Wolverines, which opened and closed their season.

In the season opener the Wolverines took a bite out of the Highlanders 61-53, and then knocked Helix out of the playoffs in Wednesday’s (Feb. 26) first round of the Division I San Diego Section playoffs in La Mesa .

Coach JOHN SINGER said he was pleased with the bulk of the Highlanders’ season, but was not happy to see his team lose 5 of their last 6 games.

“We lost 5 of our last 6 and that kind of tainted the season,” he said.

While the Highlanders shot only 25 percent from the field, they were tough on the boards as MARCUS NORRIS grabbed 13 caroms and GARY LINSON pulled down 11 ricochets off the glass.

CHRISTIAN BELL led the anemic Helix attack with 12 points.

Helix: Christian Bell 12 (3 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl), Marcus White 5 (2 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk), Elsaiah Blair 4 (1 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl), Marcus Norris 4 (13 reb, 1 ast, 3 stl, 2 blk), Gary Linson 4 (11 reb, 1 blk), Luke Holloway (2 reb, 1 blk), Dylan Lee 3 (4 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl), Qrizviah Mobley 2 (6 reb, 1 stl), Justin Flisher 2 (1 reb), Jordan Velasco (2 reb, 1 ast).

EL CENTRO CENTRAL 53, EL CAPITAN 38 – Nobody reached double scoring figures for El Capitan in Wednesday’s (Feb. 26) first round of the Division IV San Diego Section playoffs.

With the majority of the squad returning next year, coupled with a 26-3 junior varsity team, things are looking up for the Vaqueros.

El Capitan: Joey LaChappa 7 (5 reb, 1 ast, 4 stl), Scott Root 6 (3 reb, 2 stl), Andy Casas 6 (8 reb, 3 stl), Kade Kygar 6 (1 stl), Brian Ballo 4 (5 reb), Isaiah Capoocia 3 (1 reb, 1 ast), Myles Emmerson 3 (1 reb), Wyatt Alvarez 2, Aaron Price (1 reb).

FRANCIS PARKER 70, GRANITE HILLS 36 – ANDREW MANNING scored 20 points, including 6 three-pointers, but it wasn’t near enough in Wednesdays (Feb. 26) first round of the Division II San Diego Section playoffs as the Eagles (7-19) lost to Francis Parker.

“They were awfully big – they had guys 6-foot-10 and 6-foot-7,” noted Granite Hills coach RANDY ANDERSON. “They were a well-rounded team and we just didn’t match up.

Granite Hills: Andrew Manning 20 (3 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk), Rease Warford 4 (1 reb, 2 ast), Jacob Burton 3 (6 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk), Taylor Foreman 2 (6 reb, 1 ast), Brayan Turner 2 (3 reb, 1 ast), Ryan Kelly 2 (1 reb), Chris Diaz 2, Jaron Sanders 1 (3 reb, 1 ast).