Tony Clark, a 6-foot, 7-inch junior at Valhalla High, set a San Diego Section record with a 30.3 scoring average and had 55 points in one game.

Clark’s season seemingly could lead to future honors in college basketball, or even the NBA.

Clark did play professionally, but it was in baseball and, after a 15-season career on the field, he rose to one of the game’s most important positions, executive director of the Major League Players’ Association.

Clark was the second player chosen in the 1995 baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers, was third in rookie-of-the-year voting, and earned an all-star berth in 2001 in a career in which he hit 251 home runs.

Clark’s high average this year reflected a booming prep season.  Lincoln averaged 92 points a game and bettered 100 ten times. Valhalla had a 78-point average, and five others were at 70 or better.

The three-point basket, adopted for the 1987-88 season, had become a smashing success.

The 10 top scorers averaged at least 21.5 points.

SCORING LEADERS BY AVERAGE, UNOFFICIAL

NAME	TEAM	GAMES	POINTS	AVERAGE
Tony Clark	Valhalla	28	847	30.25
Joe Temple	Lincoln	28	758	27.07
Robby Robinson	Madison	29	757	26.10
Ray McDavid	Clairemont	30	757	25.23
Aaron Willhite	Lincoln	29	690	23.79
Erik Meek	San Pasqual	24	544	22.66
Adalberto Silva	Southwest	29	656	22.62
John Pressler	Helix	25	540	21.60
Brooks Barnhard	Escondido	24	518	21.58
David Jerimiah	Christian	25	538	21.52

12/1/88

“It’s one thing when we control the tempo of the game and it’s another when we win with our talent.  Tonight, we won on talent alone.” said San Diego coach Dennis Kane, unhappy after an opening game, 92-35 rout of Castle Park.

12/8/88

Aaron Willhite doubled with 36 points and 20 rebounds and Lincoln outscored Madison, 99-79.

12/10/88

Patrick Henry mentor Fritz Ziegenfuss said, “Basically, they killed us,” after a 75-49 loss to Poway, which presented Coach Neville Saner with his 100^th career victory.

12/11/88

Preseason girls No. 1 Vista could not get past legendary power and preseason No. 2 Point Loma.  The host Pointers won, 54-44, in the Point Loma/Coca Cola Classic, their 135^th win in a row at home, dating to 1980.

Monica Filer scored 29 for the Pointers, Christine Enger 25 for the Panthers.

12/14/88

Lincoln, averaging 87 points in a 5-0 start, ran into stiff defense and lost at Poway, 65-56.  Jay Blankenbeckler scored 25 points and was 8×8 from the free throw line in the final minute, after Lincoln had shaved a 15-point deficit to three.

12/20/88

The 42^nd Kiwanis Tournament, with 59 teams in boys’ and girls’ divisions, tipped, as the 28^th Lt. Jim Mitchell Memorial event was concluding.

Kevin Flanagan scored 33 points as Torrey Pines improved to 10-0 with an 84-56 victory over Las Vegas for the Mitchell championship at San Dieguito.

12/22/88

Tony Clark scored 38 points and Rafid Kiti 34, but Lincoln won the Kiwanis Tournament Limited Division game, 113-94, as Aaron Willhite (33), Joe Temple (28), Darryl McMillan 22, and Victor Dean (16) offset the two Norsemen.

Lincoln also bettered the Kiwanis Tournament scoring record, held by El Capitan, which defeated Sweetwater, 107-44, in 1971-72.  Newhall Hart, featuring future NFL quarterback Joe Kapp, had been the first to hit triple digits when it defeated Oceanside, 104-33, in 1954-55.

12/23/88

Lincoln topped La Jolla, 65-56, for the Limited Division championship, by the same score it lost to Poway nine days before.  “We learned not to get into a rush if you’re three points behind and certainly not get into as rush if you’re three points ahead,” the Hornets’ Joe Temple said of lessons learned.

–Poway won the Unlimited Division, 57-44, over Point Loma.

12/29/88

“Maybe we need to go down to Tuneup Masters and have a major overhaul done,” Santana coach John Bobof complained to Pedro Gomez of The San Diego Union.  “This team is in dire need of a tuneup.”

The 7-1 Sultans and defending San Diego Section Division I champions had just finished a 48-40 win over Chula Vista in the Santana Tournament.

–Robby Robinson scored 40 points and had 12 rebounds to lead Madison to a 79-49 win over Hilltop at Santana.

–Monica Filer, averaging 23.5 points, scored only 10 but dished a reported 21 assists as Point Loma rolled, 56-27, over Bonita Vista in the Ben Fisher Tournament.

–Morse, still finding its way with late football arrivals Darrell Lewis and Jimmie Rose, bowed to Las Vegas Bonanza, 63-49, in finals of the Baron-Optimist tournament.

12/30/88

Ray McDavid outscored Joe Temple, 42-33, but Lincoln outscored Clairemont, 100-77, in the Santana event.

12/31/88

Lincoln bombed Santana, 106-58, for championship of the host school tournament.  “I knew we’d come out intense,” said Hornets coach Ron Loneski, who was unhappy with its effort in the day-before win over Clairemont.

“I ripped them,” said Loneski.  “They played as individuals.  I‘ve never had a team play that poorly.  I was upset and I could tell they were upset afterward.”

–A 2,578-mile trip and four nights on the road took the steam out of Torrey Pines, beaten, 68-32,  in the City of Palms Classic final by a Miami Carol City squad that had only to deal with a 140-mile bus ride over Alligator Alley to Fort Myers, Florida.

The Falcons had beaten Avon Park, Florida, 64-57, Stuart of Martin County, Florida, 61-50, and Dunbar of Washington D.C., 67-65, to get to the championship game.

The Carol City Chiefs, ranked eighth in the country, with a front line of 7 feet, 6-10, and 6-10 (“They were quicker than our guards,” said a Falcons representative)  shot 65 per cent from the field (26×40) and out rebounded the 13-1 Falcons, 26-13.

1/3/89

The Point Loma girls’ 143-game home winning streak, dating to 1980, came to an end, 50-39, to 12-0 Chino in the Ben Fisher final.  “That’s what streaks are for…you make them and break them,” said Coach Lee Trepanier.  “We’ll just have to start over again.”

Chino had a matchup edge over the Pointers, 13-0 at tip, with four players taller than 6 feet.

1/4/89

Tony Clark, who averaged 26.3 points in 12 December games, got the New Year started with 38 points and Rafid Kiti added 25 to lead Valhalla to a 96-51, Grossmont League 2-A win over El Cajon Valley.

1/6/89

Christian coach Randy Wright was willing to wait, “but I thought our second string would play better,” said La Jolla mentor Rick Eveleth after his sixth-ranked Vikings were beaten by the Patriots, 66-41.

Eveleth went with his No. 2 group at the start of the game because an automobile carrying five of the Vikings’ six top players broke down on the way to the El Cajon campus.

The hosts’ David Jerimiah scored 18 points of his eventual 31 and the Patriots led, 24-11, after one quarter, at which time the Vikings’ regulars showed up.

1/7/89

No. 1 Torrey Pines took a 30-12, first quarter lead and blew out No. 4 Orange Glen, 97-41, as Courtie Miller scored 30.

1/21/89

Lincoln hit triple digits for the eighth time, 100-47, over Crawford.  Aaron Willhite scored 37 points, Joe Temple 28, and Darryl McMillan 16.

1/25/89

Christian gave it a good shot, leading, 28-26, after one quarter behind David Jerimiah’s four three-pointers and  trailing Lincoln just 46-42 at halftime, but the Hornets pulled way to a 99-75 win, behind Joe Temple’s 32, offsetting Jerimiah’s 30.

–Poway was thought to be a good test for Torrey Pines, but the Falcons prevailed, 64-47.

–Jerome Price scored 28 points and had 19 rebounds to lead University City to a 65-58, overtime victory against 10^th-ranked La Jolla.

Price said he was particularly dedicated to performing well because he opted not to play the previous Friday in order to compete in the Los Angeles Invitational track meet, where he won the long jump at 23 feet, 4 inches.

1/28/89

Joe Temple led the way with 38 points as Lincoln scored 100 or more points for the ninth time and set a school record in a 119-74 win over Hoover.

–Tiny Midway Baptist got into the scoring fray, outpointing Victory Christian, 111-43. Tobin Wilkins paced the winners with 36 points, 17 rebounds, 11 assists, and four three-point baskets.

2/4/89

Lincoln called time out, trailing, San Diego, 65-57, with 3:50 remaining before almost 2,000 persons in the Cavers’ gym.  Joe Temple scored 7 of his 27 points as Lincoln closed with a 12-3 finish to win, 69-68.

“Coach (Ron) Loneski told me I had to be the man, to take the ball to the hole,” said Temple, who also cleared two offensive rebounds and knocked down 2 free throws after a Caver was called for hanging on the rim after a missed dunk with 1:23 left when the score was tied at 68.

Temple finished the game with a rebound off a missed shot, dribbled the length of the floor, was fouled, and converted a game-winni.ng free throw with: 19 remaining.

2/8-10/89

Tony Clark’s 55 points clinched the Grossmont league 2-A title for Valhalla, 105-82 over Santana, and elevated Clark to the fourth-highest single game total in County history.

Mitchell Lilly of Madison had 61 points in 1976-77, Tom Shaules of St. Augustine, 60 in 1957-58, and Rob Petrie of Julian, 60 in 1969-70.

Clark converted 24×30 attempts from the field, including one three-point basket, and was 6×7 from the free throw line.

–Three technical fouls and a player ejected for telling a game official, “That was a lame call, ref,” was Granite Hills’ denouement in a 71-64 loss to Monte Vista.

–The 100-point frenzy continued, with Lincoln routing St. Augustine, 105-58, and Torrey Pines beating Vista, 104-67.

2/14/89

Clark came back with 45 points in an 86-54 win over Mount Miguel, added 15 rebounds, and was 13×14 on free throws.

–Monte Vista beat Helix, 38-37, for the Grossmont League 3-A championship on Jeff Polinsky’s basket at the buzzer, which nullified a basket by Helix’ Todd McTrusty with 11 seconds remaining.

2/15/89

Montgomery completed a 0-20 season and announced it was not going to participate in the upcoming playoffs, although all teams were eligible.

–Lincoln beat Christian, 109-72, and Joe Temple’s 15 steals set a San Diego Section record.

Temple added 35 points and teammate Aaron Willhite 31 points and 27 rebounds.

— Ray McDavid had 48 points, including a record 10, three-point baskets, in an 89-84, overtime win against Kearny.

2/17/89

Aaron Willhite pulled down 39 rebounds, breaking the record of 38 by Sweetwater’s Michael Pitts in 1978-79 and Lincoln topped Hoover, 105-59.

–The Point Loma girls’ 66-40 win over Patrick Henry earned the Pointers an eighth consecutive league championship and coach Lee Trepanier’s 300^th coaching victory against 45 losses, a .869 percentage.

Twas a time when San Diego Section teams finished their tournament and intersectional obligations as the calender moved to the New Year and league play began, determining the playoffs picture.

That’s not the case today as teams continue to play nonleague games against out-of- the-area competition and make quick, weekend trips for so-called “classics.”

St. Augustine still has a  game scheduled against Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley in a Santa Ana Mater Dei event on Feb. 1, but top teams Foothills Christian and Cathedral will almost wholly be focused on league  games the rest of the way.

Foothills Christian has an important contest against visiting No. 7 Francis Parker tonight in a matchup of two, 5-0 Coastal League squads.

League championships today are mostly for bragging rights and look good on banners hanging in gymnasiums, but strength of schedules and computer rankings take precedent.

John Maffei’s Union-Tribune poll this week revealed a rare, first-place tie among voters between Foothills Christian and Cathedral.  Poway and Francie Parker also were tied in Max Preps‘ state rankings.

Union-Tribune	Team	Record	Points	Last Week	Max Preps	Cal-Hi Sports
1.	Foothills Christian (7)	14-5	121	2	13	14
1.	Cathedral  (5)	15-5	121	3	29	Bubble
3.	St. Augustine (1)	17-4	109	1	35	Bubble
4.	Torrey Pines	15-4	87	4	83	NR
5.	Mater Dei	15-3	80	5	73	NR
6.	Poway	16-4	63	6	38	NR
7.	Francis Parker	15-2	53	9	72	NR
8.	Christian	16-4	33	8	51	NR
9.	Santa Fe Christian	14-6	24	7	50	NR
10.	Carlsbad	13-6	11	10	134	NR

Others receiving votes: 11. Helix (14-6, 5 points), 12. El Camino (13-5, 4), 13. San Marcos (12-6, 3), 14. Bonita Vista (14-6, 1).

Voting Panel:  John Maffei (The San Diego Union-Tribune), Terry Monahan, (Union-Tribune) correspondent, Aaron Burgin (Fulltime Hoops), Steve Brand (San Diego Sports Association), John Kentera, Braden Suprenant, (97.3 FM The Fan), Steve (Biff) Dolan (Mountain Country 107.9 FM), Christian Pedersen (SoCal Preps Insider), Bodie DeSilva (scorebooklive.com); Adam Paul (ecpreps.com), Brad Enright (L.A. Court report), Rick Smith (partletonsports.com).

Voting Panel:  John Maffei (The San Diego Union-Tribune), Terry Monahan, (Union-Tribune) correspondent, Aaron Burgin (Fulltime Hoops), Steve Brand (San Diego Sports Association), John Kentera, Braden Suprenant, (97.3 FM The Fan), Steve (Biff) Dolan (Mountain Country 107.9 FM), Christian Pedersen (SoCal Preps Insider), Bodie DeSilva (scorebooklive.com); Adam Paul (ecpreps.com), Brad Enright (L.A. Court report), Rick Smith (partletonsports.com).

Through games of Monday, Jan. 13.

	Union-Tribune		Points	Last Week	Max Preps	Cal-Hi Sports
1.	St. Augustine (13)	16-3	130	1	13	14
2.	Foothills Christian	12-5	117	2	29	Bubble
3.	Cathedral Catholic	13-5	103	3	35	Bubble
4.	Torrey Pines	13-4	90	4	83	NR
5.	Mater Dei	12-3	76	5	73	NR
6.	Poway	15-4	67	6	38	NR
7.	Santa Fe Christian	13-5	49	7	72	NR
8.	Christian	15-3	31	8	51	NR
9.	Francis Parker	12-2	21	NR	50	NR
10.	Carlsbad	12-5	8	NR	134	NR

Others receiving votes: 11. Mission Hills (14-4, 7 points) 11. San Diego (12-5, 7), 13. San Marcos (11-3, 3), 14. Bonita Vista (13-4, 2), 14. Otay Ranch (15-3. 2), 16. San Ysidro (9-8, 1), 16. Helix (12-5, 1).

Voting Panel:  John Maffei (The San Diego Union-Tribune), Terry Monahan, (Union-Tribune) correspondent, Aaron Burgin (Fulltime Hoops), Steve Brand (San Diego Sports Association), John Kentera, Braden Suprenant, (97.3 FM The Fan), Steve (Biff) Dolan (Mountain Country 107.9 FM), Christian Pedersen (SoCal Preps Insider), Bodie DeSilva (scorebooklive.com); Adam Paul (ecpreps.com), Brad Enright (L.A. Court report), Rick Smith (partletonsports.com).

Playoffs this year moved toward an Indiana model, used by that state’s schools for decades and which was immortalized in the basketball movie/drama “Hoosiers”, starring Gene Hackman and Helix graduate Dennis Hopper in 1986.

The Indiana way meant that all teams were eligible, in one division, including many with hopeless records.  The San Diego Section positioned playoff teams in multiple divisions.

Not everyone was happy, but prep maven Steve Brand wrote that “neither side, those that were against and those for, really had to worry.”

“The teams expected to win, won,” wrote The San Diego Union reporter.  “The teams playing in weaker leagues that might have earned playoff spots over teams with superior schedules under the previous playoff system, lost.”

The regular season would determine league championships and bragging rights, said Brand.  The second season was for section championships and state playoff berths.

The San Diego Section 3-A, 2-A, 1-A format of recent years gave way to Divisions I, II, III, IV, and V, based on statewide school enrollments, said Brand.

Of the 67 basketball-playing schools in the section, only three, El Cajon Valley boys, and University City and Midway Baptist girls, declined to participate in the postseason.

PLAYOFF BOOST

Steve Brand also wrote that a playoff procedure in the Southern Section would result in San Diego Section teams earning more berths in the state tournament.

The Southern Section, which did not conduct its playoffs along state divisional lines, ruled that only teams winning section championships would be allowed to move on.

Because of this arrangement no state-designated Division III and only one team each from D-II and D-IV qualified from California’s largest section.

As a result San Diego gained several “at large” girls’ and boys’ berths in divisions II, III, and IV, which, added to winners in sections I-V, brought the total to 19.  No D-I boys at-large teams were invited.

The “3”  game arrived in San Diego Section gymnasiums this season.

The three-point basket, which  revolutionized basketball, was first used on an experimental basis at colleges in the East as far back as 1945 and was adopted by the  fledgling American Basketball Association in 1967-68.

The NBA got with the program in 1979-80,  followed by international ruling bodies in 1984, by all NCAA members in 1986-87, and by CIF schools this season.

The new scoring dimension was met with overwhelming approval by paying customers and mostly by coaches and referees.

Results of an informal poll by Steve Brand of The San Diego Union late in the season:

Fans:  73 for, 0 against.

Officials: 28 for, 2 against.

Coaches: 30 for, 6 against.

“It’s great, totally revolutionizes the game,” said Valhalla coach Manny Silva.

“I don’t like kids going up for the three-point shot when we’ve got other kids standing underneath the basket,” said Mount Miguel’s Art Edge.

“Can neutralize size and bring the smaller player into the game,” said Al Schaffer of Ramona.

“The defense used to dictate what happened at the end (of a game), but not with the three-pointer,” said La Jolla’s Rick Eveleth.

“I hate it because I don’t have anyone who can make it,” said San Pasqual’s Tom Buck.

MORE OFFICIALS NEEDED?

“It is a hardship when you have just two officials,” said veteran whistle blower Steve Tayson.

“We’ve been told, ‘Do not miss the three-point attempt,'” said Tayson. “So while you’re concentrating on whether someone is inside or outside the line (which was an arc 19 feet, 9 inches, from the basket), a foul might be committed somewhere else.”

Perhaps a player summed it up best:

“I’m so short (5 feet, 4 inches) it makes it hard to drive or do anything else,” said Calexico’s Kathy Lizarraga, who stunned area coaches when she made 12 of 15 three-point attempts in one game.

Coincidentally scoring was up as 14 different teams combined for a record 19 games of at least 100 points and there were 11, 20-points-or-better scorers, compared to 7 last season and 4 in 1985-86.

12/2/87

Greg Edwards of Patrick Henry delivered perhaps the first, winning three-point basket when he scored at the end of a second overtime to give the Patriots a 52-50 win over El Capitan.

12/4/87

Coronado came close to its school scoring record when it defeated Santa Fe Christian, 101-54, as 15 players got into the scoring column at the Foothillers’ Tournament.

The Islanders reportedly topped Rancho del Campo, 103-31, in the 1953-54 season.

—University City set a school scoring record in a 99-55 win over El Cajon Valley.

—Grossmont, without one player taller than 6 feet, relied on the speed and quickness of Lance Williams (34 points) and coach’s son Jason Foggiano (26), and was an unaccommodating host to Christian, 85-55, in its Foothillers tournament.

12/6/87

El Cajon Valley was on the short end of another school record when it was routed by Mira Mesa, 104-62.  Fourteen Marauders scored.

Not to be outdone, tournament host Torrey Pines ran past Imperial, 104-53.

12/11/87

Terri Mann had graduated and was at Western Kentucky University but the Point Loma girls rolled on, winning their 64^th game in a row, breaking the section record that they held.

Monica Filer scored 29 points in the 83-27 win over Mount Miguel that clinched the Point Loma/7-Up tournament and was the Pointers’ 116^th straight at home.

12/16/87

El Cajon Valley again was party to another team’s school record.  Santana whipped the Braves, 105-53.

12/18/87

Phoenix Arcadia hit six, three-point baskets and topped Kearny, 66-51, in the Chaparral Tournament in the Arizona city.

“I really think it will take at least a year to get used to the three-pointer,” said Kearny coach Bill Peterson.  “We played good but got too far behind.”

BE LATE, BE OUT

Dec. 19, 1987

The Las Vegas Wildcats arrived 15 minutes late and game referees ruled a forfeit victory to Vista in the 28^th Lt. James Mitchell Tournament at Torrey Pines.

Wildcats coach Mel Washington said his team was stuck in traffic and then couldn’t find the gymnasium.

“We come from Las Vegas and we can’t even get a game?” Washington wondered.  “We will not be back here.”

The Wildcats were pushed into the loser’s bracket, annoying Glendale Hoover coach Ken Kohlmeyer, whose team was defeated in the first round by Orange Glen, 82-75.

“Now we have to play the top-seeded team in the tournament, said Kohlmeyer.  “If we’re going to get treated this way, we’re not coming back.”

San Dieguito athletic director and tournament chairman David LaBorde weighed in.  “I wasn’t there but I think the officials should have been a little more flexible. We’re trying to operate in the spirit of sportsmanship.”

—The annoyed Glendale Hoover coach was correct.  Las Vegas won the loser’s bracket game, 98-81.

—Lance Williams’ baseline jump shot with three seconds remaining was the difference as Grossmont won a three-overtime battle with Helix, 64-62.  Williams’ three-point basket a minute earlier had drawn the Foothillers even at 62.

—A hay burner in Buckman Springs: Desert toughie Calipatria outscored Mountain Empire, 64-63, in the host Redskins’ tournament.

SCORING  LEADERS (average instead of  points accentuated; not all totals reported)

NAME	TEAM	GAMES	POINTS	AVERAGE
Lamont Grove	Crawford	23	644 (2)	28.0
Mark Dirksen	Hilltop	28	692 (1)	24.7
Jay Malott	Coronado	23	557 (3)	24.2
Lance Williams	Grossmont	23	546 (4)	23.7
David Jerimiah	Christian	24	529 (8)	22.0
Dave Delaney	Poway	22	474	21.5
Rafid Kiti	Valhalla	25	533 (7)	21.32
David Lee	Mira Mesa	25	554 (5)	21.30
Lee Cobb	El Camino	25	532 (8)	21.28
Doug Carter	St. Augustine	25	526 (9)	21.04
Erik Meek	San Pasqual	21	434	20.66
Scott Oatsvall	El Camino	24	482	20.0
Mike West	Fallbrook	21	416	19.80
Ray McDavid	Clairemont	24	474	19.75
Carl Gaines	Lincoln	28	550 (6)	19.6
Paul Sscali	Montgomery	22	430	19.54
Paul Baldwin	Escondido	25	487 (10)	19.48

12/23/87

Either Kevin Friel didn’t hear or he tuned out coach John Farrell’s shouting for a timeout.

Friel drove across the middle of the free throw line and drained a 10-foot jump shot for the decisive points in a 79-76 win over El Camino in the Mitchell championship game.

Courtie Miller’s 34 points, including 2 free throws in the final second seconds, clinched for the Falcons, who offered a front line of 7-foot Neal Pollard, 6-9 Kevin Flanagan, and the 6-6 Miller.

—Calexico’s Kathy Lizarraga knocked down 12 three-point shots and scored 47 points in a 61-48, Limited Division win over Fallbrook.

12/27/87

“I like the Bobby Knight philosophy,” Lincoln coach Ron Loneski said. “He said the most important part of a basketball game is the first three or four minutes of a half.”

Lincoln led La Jolla, 42-40, at intermission in the 41^st Kiwanis tournament Limited Division final.  A 10-0 run to start the third quarter propelled the Hornets to an 85-68 victory. Madison topped Mt. Carmel, 70-64, for the Unlimited title.

12/30/87

Roger Johnson, a 6-foot, 6-inch forward who was unexpectedly absent in Lincoln’s Kiwanis victory over La Jolla, scored 22 of his 28 points in the second half as the Hornets erupted for 60 in the final 16 minutes, to defeat Alaska’s Anchorage West, 100-75, in the Santana Tournament.

1/3/88

Lincoln (13-1) handed Santana its first loss after 10 victories, 68-65, in finals of the Sultans’ tournament.  Joe Temple’s free throw with 31 seconds left put the Hornets in front.

“We didn’t tire out and I think Santana did,” said Hornets coach Ron Loneski.

1/9/88

Coronado coach Bob Stanton faced off against Castle Park and, for the first time, his son. John Stanton scored 20 points and the Trojans won, 73-46.

—More than 300 persons were locked out of Lincoln’s fire-marshal-approved-but–usually-ignored-999-seat gymnasium capacity and didn’t see Morse’s 78-71 upset of the Hornets.

—Morse’s Willie Davis scored 13 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter as the Tigers held off repeated  challenges.

1/13/88

The top-ranked Point Loma girls’ 137-game winning streak against San Diego County teams came to end in ninth-ranked host Fallbrook’s 39-37 victory.

1/16/88

“This is our year; we’re going all the way to the top,” enthused Robby Robinson, who scored 24 points and had 11 rebounds in a Madison 73-68, Eastern League win over Morse.

–Mission Bay (5-10) took Kearny (13-2) to three overtimes and outlasted the Komets, 59-54.

–El Cajon Valley sustained its fifth triple-digit loss as Granite Hills became the 11^th different team to score at least 100 in a 111-62 victory.

1/17/88

Top-ranked Torrey Pines (18-0) withstood 44 points from Victor Carstarphen and surprised New Jersey’s nationally prominent Camden Panthers, 90-88, in two overtimes. The Panthers, not as robust as in previous years under coach Herb Wagner, lost again days later at Playa del Rey St. Bernard, 88-78.

1/28/88

Bob Stanton thought his son had misgivings about playing against his father on January 9, but John Stanton must have felt more comfortable in the rematch, leading Castle Park to a 115-56 victory with 24 points, seven assists, and five steals.

1/30/88

Christian was feeling good.  It led Lincoln, 14-13, after one quarter.  Final score, Lincoln 114, Christian 45.  “We have a lot of players who can shoot,” understated Hornets coach Ron Loneski, who had seven in double figures, led by Kenny Hawkins’ 28 points.

2/4/88

Mt. Carmel (11-8) knocked down Torrey Pines, 22-0 going into the game, 64-63, in overtime, on Jason Mann’s short jump shot in the final seconds.

2/6/88

“We got fired up and they got worn out,” exclaimed Lincoln center Aaron Willhite after his 23 points and 22 rebounds led the Hornets to a 100-81 victory over Crawford.

The Colts, who hung with the Hornets in a 42-39 first half, were just 3 for 13 from the field in a disastrous, 32-13 third quarter.

Crawford’s Lamont Grove, a transfer from City High in South Bend, Indiana, battled the Hornets with a season-high 38 points.

2/12/88

Jeff Harper was 5×6 from beyond the three-point arc, scored 22 points overall, and led Madison to a 68-53 victory at Point Loma for its first league championship since the 1974-75 season.

–Montgomery claimed the Metro Conference championship, its first in the 18-season school history, 58-54 over Sweetwater.

One San Diego County team, Lincoln, made it to a state championship final, but there were two Hornets at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.  Lincoln’s were joined by the Hornets of Calipatria, 140 miles to the East in Imperial County and since 1980 members of the San Diego Section.

Scores and some recollections from the longest-ever playoff season, inclusive of 78 boys and 69 girls games, stretching almost a month, from Feb. 23 until March 19:

BOYS PLAYOFFS

(Seeds in italics).

DIVISION I

FIRST ROUND

16 Mount Miguel 69, 17 San Dieguito 54 (10-15).

13 Mira Mesa 88, 20 Bonita Vista 40 (1-22)

14 Hilltop 62, 19 Orange Glen 58 (5-19)

18 Monte Vista 72, 15 Chula Vista 44 (12-16).

SECOND ROUND

6 Patrick Henry 59, 11 Vista 47 (13-11).

4 Mt. Carmel 67, 13 Mira Mesa 54 (11-14).

12 Point Loma 74, 5 Montgomery 63 (13-9).

7 Morse 112, 10 Sweetwater 50 (12-13).

2 Poway 73, 18 Monte Vista 58 (10-13).

3 Valhalla 94, 14 Hilltop 62 (13-15).

1 Santana 61, 16 Mount Miguel 57, OT (11-13).

8 Granite Hills 54, 9 Southwest 37 (15-10).

QUARTERFINALS

3 Valhalla 65, 6 Patrick Henry 59 (15-10).

1 Santana 59, 8 Granite Hills 49 (14-11).

4 Mt. Carmel 61, 12 Point Loma 52 (14-13).

7 Morse 69, 2 Poway 67, OT (19-6).

The Tigers’ Willie Davis scored with five seconds left in overtime.

SEMIFINALS

7 Morse 64, 3 Valhalla 54 (16-8).

1 Santana 58, 4 Mt. Carmel 40 (17-10).

CHAMPIONSHIP

1 Santana 67, 7 Morse 62 (19-10).

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL

QUARTERFINALS

2 Santa Clarita Simi Valley (27-4) 92, 7 Santana 67 (25-3).

D-II

FIRST ROUND

17 San Marcos 69, 16 Serra 66 (8-20).

12 University City 51, 21 Hoover 39 (2-23).

13 Oceanside 60, 20 El Capitan 54 (6-18)

14 Mission Bay 61, 19 San Pasqual 51 (4-18).

11 San Diego 69, 22 Mar Vista 34 (3-18).

15 Fallbrook 69, 18 Carlsbad 55 (6-16).

SECOND ROUND

2 Madison 63, 15 Fallbrook 48 (13-14).

3 El Camino 63, 14 Mission Bay 48 (11-16).

8 Helix 78, 9 Crawford 69, 2 OT (13-10).

Lamont Grove, averaging 28.1 points, scored 12 of his 25 in the fourth quarter to get Crawford to a 60-60 deadlock before fouling out with 1:47 remaining in regulation play.

12 University City 75, 5 Castle Park 69 (17-8).

11 San Diego 59, 6 La Jolla 49 (17-9).

1 Torrey Pines 71, 17 San Marcos 49 (8-12).

7 Escondido 81, 10 Grossmont 69 (11-13).

The Foothillers’ Jason Foggiano (35) and Lance Williams (24) combined for 59 points, not enough as Paul Baldwin (27), Brooks Barnhard (22), and Tim Bone (17) countered with 66 for Escondido.

4 Kearny 64, 13 Oceanside 55 (13-12).

QUARTERFINALS

2 Madison 96, 7 Escondido 70 (20-6).

1 Torrey Pines 71, 8 Helix 44 (16-9).

3 El Camino 47, 11 San Diego 40 (14-9).

4 Kearny 49, 12, University 41 (14-10).

SEMIFINALS

2 Madison 79, 3 El Camino 72.

4 Kearny 68, 1 Torrey Pines 59.

The Komets reversed a 71-62 loss to Torrey Pines in the December Baron-Optimist tournament.

CHAMPIONSHIP

2 Madison 54, 4 Kearny 53.

Robby Robinson’s team got the nod over Randy Robinson’s.  Robbie had 24 points and 11 rebounds, Randy 19 points and eight rebounds.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL

QUARTERFINALS

2 Madison 75, 7 Tustin 50 (24-6).

The Tillers actually led, 35-31, early in the third quarter.  “I think we can go to the finals,”  said Madison center Jeff Flanagan, who had 21 points and 16 rebounds,

6 Irvine Woodbridge 59 (Southern), 3 Kearny 49 (24-6).

4 La Palma Kennedy 71 (Southern), 5 Torrey Pines 68 (27-3).

1 Bakersfield Foothill (Central) 68, 8 El Camino 66, 2 OT (22-6).

SEMIFINALS

2 Madison 67, 6 Irvine Woodbridge 64 (23-7).

The Warhawks overcame 6-foot, 9-inch Adam Keefe, who had 34 points and 19 rebounds, with balanced scoring by Andre Mitchell (20), Robby Robinson (17), Jeff Harper (13), and Jeff Alexander (8).

CHAMPIONSHIP

1 Bakersfield Foothill 62 (26-4), 2 Madison 60 (27-3).

Madison trailed, 41-40, but the Trojans scored a 3-point basket with one second to play in the third quarter.  “That three-point play killed us,” said Warhawks coach Jim Thompson, whose team saw its 19-game winning streak come to an end.

D-III

QUARTERFINALS

4 Rancho Buena Vista 51, 5 Clairemont 50 (5-19).

3 St. Augustine 68, 6 University 51 (7-16).

“We had a malicious mind,” said Mark Strawbridge of the Saints, who closed with a 22-7 run.

SEMIFINALS

1 Lincoln 85, 4 Rancho Buena Vista 55.

2 Ramona 56, 3 St. Augustine 51 (6-18).

CHAMPIONSHIP

1 Lincoln 71, 2 Ramona 63 (14-16).

“We played horrible,” said winning coach Ron Loneski of the Hornets’ first championship, boys or girls, in the school’s 33-year history, including time in the Southern Section.

Ramona, trailing, 46-32, fought back to a 56-56 tie before Carl Gaines, who had 23 points, answered with two straight baskets.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL

SEMIFINALS

1 Lincoln 88, 4 Visalia Golden West 64 (Central, 16-10).

“Lincoln killed us on the boards and with their up-tempo game,” said losing coach Rex Robertson. “In the second quarter they just ran up and down the court.  Our kids wilted.”

After establishing a 24-18 lead in the first quarter, Lincoln coach Ron Loneski leaned over to writer Steve Brand and said, “Watch what happens now.”  The Hornets went on a 25-7 run in the next eight minutes.

2 Lemoore 69 (Central), 3 Ramona 57 (14-17).

CHAMPIONSHIP

1 Lincoln 80, Lemoore 68 (17-10).

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Daly City Jefferson 76 (Central Coast, 33-1), Lincoln 71 (26-3).

Lincoln led, 49-33, with 15 minutes remaining, but the usually rapid Hornets suddenly were run into submission by the Indians in a 29-17 third quarter that that left them only one point behind.

Jefferson, alma mater of football Hall of Fame coach John Madden, led, 76-69, with three minutes remaining in the game.

“We won the first half; they won the second half,” said Hornets coach Ron Loneski.

Lincoln averaged 82.9 points, passed 100 points four times this season, and had 19 games above 80.

D-IV

QUARTERFINALS

4 Holtville 78, 5 Marian 71 (5-17).

3 Coronado 92, 6 Army-Navy 53 (7-16).

SEMIFINALS

4 Christian 70, 1 Holtville 60.

5 Mountain Empire 70, 2 Coronado 69.

CHAMPIONSHIP

4 Christian 54, 5 Mountain Empire 50.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL

QUARTERFINALS

1 Banning 97 (31-0, Southern), 8 Holtville 55 (14-11).

2 Easton Washington Union 86 (28-2, Central), 7 Mountain Empire 40 (17-8).

3 Beaumont 79 (24-5, Southern), 6 Christian 57 (12-13).

D-V

FIRST ROUND

8 Julian 52, 9 Calvin Christian 46 (7-14).

5 Imperial 68, 12 Borrego Springs 31 (5-14).

6 Lutheran 53, 11 Calexico Vincent Memorial 48 (5-17).

7 Midway Baptist 58, 10 Santa Fe Christian 57 (6-13).

QUARTERFINALS

5 Imperial 56, 4 La Jolla Country Day 45 (14-9).

3 Francis Parker 85, 6 Lutheran 73 (12-10).

1 The Bishop’s 60, 8 Julian 45.

“We played like the Lakers at the start, then we went into daze,” said the Knights’ Kamal Assaf of The Bishop’s 18-0 run in the first quarter. “We had a shot to win by 40.”

2 Calipatria 95, 7 Midway Baptist 51.

SEMIFINALS

 1 The Bishop’s 57, 8 Imperial 39 (12-14).

“Dynasty with a view” is how Mike Jensen of The San Diego Union described the 22-0 Knights, whose campus is yards from the Pacific Ocean.

2 Calipatria 90, 3 Francis Parker 64 (13-10).

CHAMPIONSHIP

6 Calipatria 52, 1 The Bishop’s 51, OT (22-1).

The Hornets’ view is of the more prosaic desert and they ruined The Bishop’s view of an undefeated season.

The Bishop’s, fat with a 29-9 lead at the half, were stunned, 43-22, in the final 19 minutes, the clinching points coming on Andre Zendejas’ free throw with five seconds remaining in the extra session.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL

QUARTERFINALS

4 The Bishop’s 51, 5 Reedley Immanuel (19-9, Central) 48.

SEMIFINALS

2 Calipatria 103, 3 Hesperia Christian 85 (23-4, Southern)

4 The Bishop’s 46, 1 North Hollywood Oakwood 44 (25-3, Southern).

Mitchell Butler’s 32 points weren’t enough to overcome balanced The Bishop’s, led by Maurile Tremblay (13), Kamal Assaf (12), Bob Peterson (11), and Chris McKenna (10).

CHAMPIONSHIP

2 Calipatria 56, 4 The Bishop’s 47 (24-2).

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Ripon Christian (28-8, Sac-Joaquin) 67, Calipatria 63, 2 OT (25-6).

It’s what happened during regulation play.

The Hornets’ Robert Romero, who scored 34 points, fouled out with seven seconds remaining, sending the Knights’ Mike Vander-Molen to the free-throw line and his team trailing, 59-56.

Vander-Molen missed the first free throw and then purposely hoisted a hard shot that caromed off the backboard into the hands of Vander-Molen, who stepped back and drained a three-pointer for a 59-59 tie, forcing overtime.

GIRLS PLAYOFFS

DIVISION I

FIRST ROUND

16 Granite Hills 52, 17 Hilltop 35.

19 Montgomery @14 Morse, no score.

18 Mount Miguel 41, 15 Sweetwater 35 (9-10).

SECOND ROUND

1 Point Loma 78, 16 Granite Hills 13 (6-17).

3 Vista 72, 14 Morse 35 (8-14).

Chris Enger scored 35 points and blocked 11 shots.

7 Poway 58, 10 Mira Mesa 51 (11-16).

4 Mt. Carmel 71, 13 Chula Vista 49 (8-15).

2 Santana 68, 18 Mount Miguel 34 (4-21).

6 Patrick Henry 81, 11 Orange Glen 58 (13-12).

The Patriots couldn’t stop Laura Hughes, who scored 41 points but had little help.

2 Helix 55, 15 Mar Vista 33 (13-9).

QUARTERFINALS

3 Vista 71, 6 Patrick Henry 57 (15-6).

Chris Enger was 15×19 from the field, scored 33 points, and added 16 rebounds for the Panthers.

4 Mt. Carmel 68, 5 Bonita Vista 37 (20-5).

1 Point Loma 67, 8 Monte Vista 33 (18-7).

2 Santana 51, 7 Poway 39 (13-11).

SEMIFINALS

2 Santana 50, 3 Vista 40 (22-7).

4 Mt. Carmel 55, 1 Point Loma 38 (26-3).

“I don’t know if I’m happier going to the (Sports) Arena or beating Point Loma,” 6-foot, 2-inch Sundevils center Lynda Jones said to writer Steve Brand.

“They played like they wanted to win; we played like we didn’t want to lose,” said Pointers coach Lee Trepanier.  “Give them credit, they played very well.

The Sundevils harassed high scoring Monica Filer and had raced to a 41-17 lead by the end of the third quarter.

CHAMPIONSHIP

4 Mt. Carmel 57, 2 Santana 47 (25-2).

“We don’t play setup basketball real well…our game is run and have fun,” Mt. Carmel coach Peggy Brose told Mike Jensen of The San Diego Union.

The Sundevils’ Kara Warner had seven fast-break baskets and 18 points.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL

3 Lynwood 72 (29-4), 6 Mt. Carmel 42 (24-5).

4 Hanford 64 (25-1), 5 Santana 54 (25-3).

D-II

FIRST ROUND

17 El Cajon Valley @16 El Camino

12 Torrey Pines 56, 21 Valhalla 30 (3-24).

13 Crawford 58, 20 Carlsbad 55 (3-15).

Erica Kiser’s three-point basket came as the scoreboard clock clicked 0:00.

19 Kearny @14 El Capitan, no score.

11 Grossmont 66, 22 Hoover 34 (1-18).

“My girls are tired of getting beat,” said Hoover coach Mary McCarthy.  “If I had my choice we wouldn’t be in the playoffs.”

Athletic director John Johnson:   “I think we owed it to the kids to try.  Once you start something it’s critical to follow through.”

18 San Diego @15 Mar Vista, no score.

SECOND ROUND

9 Serra 49, 8 San Marcos 39 (12-12).

5 La Jolla 59, 12 Torrey Pines 47 (9-15).

4 Madison 74, 13 Crawford 66 (14-9).

6 Mission Bay 50, 11 Grossmont 33 (13-11).

3 Fallbrook 48, 14 El Capitan 41 (10-11).

10 Oceanside 40 7 Castle Park 31 (19-7).

Maybe the Trojans should have stayed on the road.  Castle Park played its first game of the season on their own floor, damaged in October when vandals left a fire hose running over night.

Oceanside sophomore Mildred Conston scored 13 points, blocked 11 shots, and had 12 rebounds.

Pirates coach Jimmy Stant said, “I talked to her three times this week and said, ‘Mildred, we go as you go.'”

1 San Pasqual 53, 16 El Camino 30 (9-16).

QUARTERFINALS

4 Madison 53, 5 La Jolla 47 (17-6).

1 San Pasqual 54, 9 Serra 26 (13-12).

8 Helix 57, 10 Oceanside 50, OT (13-13).

3 Fallbrook 49, 6 Fallbrook 44 (14-9).

SEMIFINALS

1 San Pasqual 59, 4 Madison 48 (13-11).

6 Fallbrook 54, 8 Helix 43.

A 20-5 run in the fourth quarter earned the Warriors a trip to the finals.

CHAMPIONSHIP

1 San Pasqual 45, 6 Fallbrook 40.

SOUTHERN CALIFRONIA REGIONAL

QUARTERFINALS

2 San Pasqual 38, 7 Helix 32 (17-7).

4 Los Altos 47 (21-4), 5 Fallbrook (17-10).

SEMIFINALS

1 Palos Verdes Peninsula Palos Verdes 44 (27-7, Southern), 2 San Pasqual 37 (27-3).

D-III

QUARTERFINALS

4 Our Lady of Peace 42, 5 Clairemont 35 (5-20).

“We’re excited about the new format, because it let us into the playoffs,” said OLP coach Carol Burnett to Karen Frawley of The San Diego Union.

“Actually, I think it’s a joke,” said Clairemont coach Dan Miller.  “We were last in our league and I don’t see the value in going to the playoffs.”

3 University 52, 6 Rancho Buena Vista 35 (10-16).

2 Lincoln 54, 3 University 49 (11-8).

1 Ramona 54, 4 Our Lady of Peace 28 (12-15)

SEMIFINALS

CHAMPIONSHIP

1 Ramona 41, 2 Lincoln 23 (16-8).

SOUTHERN CALIFORNA REGIONAL

QUARTERFINALS

1 Lemoore 54 (Central), 4 Lincoln 37 (16-9).

3 Ramona 54, 6 Bakersfield Highland 38 (7-15, Central).

SEMIFINALS

1 Lemoore 50 (22-8), Ramona 35 (19-8).

D-IV

QUARTERFINALS

4 Christian 52, 5 Mountain Empire 25 (2-21).

2 Coronado 43, 3 Marian 30 (6-11).

SEMIFINALS

1 Holtville 48, 4 Christian 35 (7-17).

3 Marian 2 Coronado, no score.

CHAMPIONSHIP

1 Holtville 47, 2, Coronado 34.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL

2 Cerritos Valley Christian 68 (26-2, Southern), 8 Coronado 35 (11-13).

5 Oxnard Santa Clara 54 (22-7, Southern) 4 Holtville 29 (16-10).

D-V

FIRST ROUND

8 Imperial 34, 9 Francis Parker 7 (3-15).

7 Borrego Springs 63, 10 Calexico Vincent Memorial 42.

QUARTERFINALS

3 Calvin Christian 43, 6 Calipatria 31 (7-9).

2 Lutheran 52, 7 Borrego Springs 41 (12-10).

1 La Jolla Country Day 42, 8 Imperial 37.

5 The Bishop’s 38, 4 Julian 35.

SEMIFINALS

1 La Jolla Country Day 48, 5 The Bishop’s 29 (9-9).

2 Lutheran 41, 3 Calvin Christian 39 (17-6).

CHAMPIONSHIP

1 La Jolla Country Day 48, 2 Lutheran 32

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL

QUARTERFINALS

2 Avenal 41 (25-3, Central) 7 Lutheran 36 (17-8).

3 Lone Pine 61 (22-4, Southern) 6 Calvin Christian 37 (17-7).

5 Riverdale 51 (17-12, Central) 4 La Jolla Country Day 47 (20-5).