1984-85: Zarecky’s Red Devils Runnin’…and Travelin’
Sweetwater, the San Diego Section’s International team.
After trips to Hawaii and Canada in recent years, Coach Gary Zarecky’s Red Devils visited the Continent this season.
They played four games in Yugoslavia after Christmas, meeting some of that basketball-savvy nation’s top junior teams.
The roadrunners from National City also found time to set a San Diego Section record for most points in one game.
Sweetwater’s 136-48 victory over Coronado in the season opener represented the 10th highest score by any team in the history of California high school hoops.
The 48 points in one quarter was the second highest and the 79 points in one half tied for fourth.
STATE SINGLE-GAME HIGHS (through 1984-85 season, courtesy Cal-Hi Sports)
| YEAR | TEAM | OPPONENT | SCORE |
| 1966-67 | Geyserville | Middletown | 150-81 |
| 1965-66 | L.A. Jefferson | L.A. Washington | 147-87 |
| 1952-53 | L.A. Jefferson | Gardena | 144-34 |
| 1964-65 | L.A. Jefferson | Gardena | 140-67 |
| 1971-72 | L.A. Jefferson | L.A. Washington | 140-70 |
| 1980-81 | Gardena Serra | L.A. Salesian | 140-59 |
| 1971-72 | L.A. Jefferson | L.A. Washington | 139-64 |
| 1972-73 | San Bernardino Aquinas | Riverside Sherman Indian | 138-60 |
| 1971-72 | L.A. Daniel Murphy | Lennox | 137-39 |
| 1984-85 | Sweetwater | Coronado | 136-48 |
BELGRADE INVITATIONAL CHALLENGE
Sweetwater 79, Belgrade Zvezda 67.
The Yugoslavian team, with a 19-2 record and a front line measuring 6-feet, 8 inches, 6-8, and 6-6, had trouble defending Mahlon Williams and Howard Scott, who each had 20 points.
KK Crvena Zvezda 94, Sweetwater 89.
The Reds Devils lost to a 26-1 team that, according to Coach Gary Zarecky, will play 90 games this season and has a starting lineup measuring 6-10, 6-9, 6-7, 6-6, and 6-1.
The Yugoslav team didn’t take control “until the referees fouled out four of our starters in the last four minutes of the game,” said Zarecky.
Guard Howard Scott was the lone ‘Devil starter to last through the final whistle.
Sweetwater 86, Prvi Partizan 65.
Mahlon Williams led Sweetwater with 17 points.
Sweetwater 90, Tito Vio Uzice 65.
Mahlon Williams’ 18 points led 11 Red Devils scorers.
The Red Devils won the final game, leaving with a 4-1 record, when they defeated another team from Yugoslavia, 116-114.