sd225.htm

SoCal High School & Prep Report

San Diego Playoffs: Paul Smith's
Division I Report --(February 25, 1998)

Paul Smith has been reporting for SoCalHoops on the San Diego Division I playoffs, including reporting on his own Helix High team, for which he is the assistant coach. As the playoffs wind down to the finals, here's his report on the games played yesterday, February 24 in Division I. Hopefully we can get either Paul or Pat McKinney to give us the rest of the Divisions (actually we know that Pat will have Division III :-). We'll post it up as soon as we can get it.

San Diego Report: Division 1 Playoffs

Results and Summaries 2/24/98

#1 Rancho Buena Vista 72, #17 Mount Miguel 50

Aaron Abrams scored 26 points for RBV, who trailed by six at halftime but picked up the pace in the second half for the rout. Mount Miguel was able to hang with RBV, but having to travel so far the night after their wild-card victory over West Hills was too much to ask. RBV will host #8 El Camino on Friday night.

#2 Helix 62, #15 Valhalla 49

We knew beating Valhalla three times in one season would be tough, and it was. It was probably the most physical game IÕve seen this year, but in the end our athleticism and quickness was enough to overcome ValhallaÕs size and strength. Ron Johnson, as usual, paved the way with 18 points while William Waggoner added 12. Brandon Fowler led Valhalla with 13. Helix will host #10 La Costa Canyon on Friday night.

#3 Poway 53, #14 Granite Hills 45

This was a one-point game with 1:30 left, but Gerome Templeton hit a key three-pointer and Poway escaped with the victory. John Nolte led Poway with 26 points while Mike Wilson led Granite Hills with 22. Poway will host #6 Grossmont Friday night in an excellent quarterfinal matchup.

#4 Rancho Bernardo 56, #13 Scripps Ranch 43

Like RBV, RB trailed at halftime but came on strong in the third quarter and won going away. Scripps Ranch was 0-17 from 3-point range. Jeff Fletcher led RB with 18 points and Rei Rivera added 15 points and 9 rebounds. RB will host #12 Vista on Friday night.

#12 Vista 63, #5 Chula Vista 51

In the biggest first-round upset, Vista easily handled Chula Vista in Chula VistaÕs own gymnasium. In what seems to be a Palomar League theme, Vista trailed at halftime and came on strong in the second half. Anthony Bolton led Vista with 25 points and 16 rebounds. Up next for Vista will be a Friday night visit to #4 Rancho Bernardo, who they recently lost to in double overtime.

#6 Grossmont 86, #11 San Pasqual 63

In one of the rare games that wasnÕt much of a contest, Grossmont blew out San Pasqual behind San Diego State recruit Vincent OkotieÕs 30 points and 12 rebounds. SDSU coach Fred Trenkle was in attendance and Okotie did not disappoint. Up next for Grossmont will be a Friday night trip to #3 Poway, who also features an SDSU recruit, 6-10 Joe Mann.

#10 La Costa Canyon 63, #7 Morse 62

In the other first-round upset, La Costa CanyonÕs Joe Johnson nailed a 15-footer at the buzzer to send Morse home for the season. It was the first ever playoff victory for La Costa Canyon. Matt Adams led LCC with 25 points and Johnson added 20. Up next for LCC will be a Friday night trip to #2 Helix.

#8 El Camino 72, #9 Southwest 62

Marcus McGill had 18 points and Javon Williams added 17 along with 6 steals as El Camino hung on for an 11 point victory. With the victory El Camino earned the right to visit #1 Rancho Buena Vista on Friday night.