Matt Schuler
By Matt Schuler
Christmas carols are ringing, nerves are tingling, balls are bouncing on the gym floor. Basketball nets are swishing, passes are dishing, and coaches are wishing for much more. During our Christmas winter break and before league, lets see what the Mid Valley has in store.
Damien Making A Statement
The Spartans of Damien High School are looking good after an undefeated start to the season and two tournament championships thus far. The Spartans recently defeated the Bishop Amat Lancers, 69-62, to claim their second straight West Covina boys basketball tournament title on the way to an untouched 9-0 record. This victory is nothing new to the Lancers as Damien defeated Bishop, 68-67, last year in the tournament semifinals.
“It was a great game, that’s three years in a row that we’ve had great games (against Damien),” Bishop Amat coach Brandon Ertle said after the game. “ I think they’re a real good team and well-coached. It was good on both sides.” The Spartans came away with the victory despite a good game from the Lancers’ leading scorer Daniel Rodriguez. Rodriguez finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. The loss dropped Bishop to 8-2 on the year. Senior Tyler Hill also added 14 points, including four 3-pointers.
Mission Valley Roundup
Mountain View improved their overall record to 8-2 after a 17 point victory over host Temple City on Dec.17 in their last game at the Azusa Tournament, in which the Vikings suffered only one loss coming to Chino. Before the loss the Huskies, Mountain View was on a four-game winning streak and now have won five out of their last six.
Gabrielino is 6-3 coming off back-to-back wins to exit the Alhambra High Invitational. Ryan Lam is averaging 15 points per game for the Eagles and fellow senior Nolan Tcheng is right behind averaging 12.6 points per game and 6 boards.
South El Monte scored W’s in their last two victories of the season, defeating Cantwell-Sacred Heart by four points (44-40) and displacing Duarte 51-32 to finish strong in the Cantwell Tournament and propel the Eagles to a 7-8 record. Arroyo (5-6), El Monte (1-7), and Rosemead (1-5) have not played up to par this early in the season
Northview Has Perspective Looking Upward
The Northview Vikings are currently 9-2, undefeated at home (3-0) and on a 6-game winning streak. The only two losses on the Vikings record have come to Bonita and Claremont, two back to back defeats that are keeping Northview from a 11-0 record. One edge that has been given to the Vikings is that during their 6-game hot streak they have been winning really tough and close games, averaging only 6 point margin of victory in wins. That is what signifies a great team early in the season, not the blow out wins, but the nail biters – how the team performs in pressure, clutch situations. That’s what the Vikings have been able to accomplish so far, sweeping both the El Rancho Blue Pride Classic and the Alhambra High Invitational tournaments. Northview now takes their unbeaten record to the upcoming Covina High Invitational starting Dec.27.
Valle Vista League Looks to Be Competitive
Baldwin Park, Covina, Northview, Nogales, and Wilson are all looking to be strong competitors for the Valle Vista League Title. League play will begin Jan.5 with B.P hosting Pomona. Alexis Baron (12.6) and Jimmy Ramirez (11.9) are leading the Braves in scoring, For Nogales, Jesus Orellana and Ray Santos (12.9) lead the scoring drive. The Colts are on a 4-game hot streak after conquering the Azusa tournament and being crowned champs. Covina defeated Chino 59-53 in the championship match. The Colts now wait to play host in their own tournament.
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