Bonita Vista High School boys basketball coach Don Dumas doesn’t know quite yet where it all will end for his team this season, but it could be something special.
The Barons defeated the visiting Hilltop Lancers, 67-52, Friday night in a non-league rivalry game to improve to 14-7 on the season. Bonita Vista entered the 2015 calendar year ranked at the top of the Division IV playoff tier.
Could a CIF championship be in the making for the Barons?
It’s an exciting possibility from the perspective of the new BVHS head coach.
“So far this season, we’ve learned a lot about ourselves,” Dumas said matter-of-factly following Friday’s win over the Lancers. “We’ve played a lot of different teams. Sometimes we’ve played exceptionally and sometimes we’ve played below ourselves. We need to find our groove and find what works for us. We’re getting there.”
Bonita Vista, buoyed by a large supportive home crowd, quickly bounded out to a 10-1 lead over Hilltop, which only served to increase the excitement level in the Barons’ gym.
Chants of “Let’s go, Barons, let’s go!” rose from the crowd. Those words of encouragement served to quicken the pace of the game.
The Lancers, who are also bidding for a Division IV playoff berth this season, managed to finally settle into a groove and chipped away at the initially imposing BV lead. Hilltop trailed, 12-7, with 2:53 left in the opening quarter and, 18-11, at the end of the quarter.
But the Barons haven’t won 14 games for nothing, and quickly showed why.
Faced with a bit of adversity, the Bonitans took charge and made things happen for themselves, whether it be a key put-back, steal or clutch three-point shot.
The Barons opened the second quarter with seven quick points – including two treys – to surge to a 25-11 lead with 57 seconds elapsed in the quarter.
The scenario repeated itself throughout the remainder of the game.
Bonita Vista led, 39-25, at halftime. Yet Hilltop whittled the score down to 48-42 with 42 seconds to play in the third quarter.
A three-point bucket once again gave the Barons some breathing room.
The Lancers trailed, 56-51, with 4:40 to play in the fourth quarter. Bonita Vista finished the game on an 11-1 run to close out the victory.
“As a team, we try to stay mentally tough,” BVHS point guard Larry Stokes said. “Our hustle and team chemistry is really strong this year. Our coach has a lot of trust in us and that helps bring out the talent.”
Stokes poured in 12 points in the Baron victory while teammate Sage Crawford led all scorers in the game with 20 points. Arthur Anthony and Dylan Decker each had eight points for Bonita Vista.
The Barons finished the game with seven treys.
Baylee Harvey led Hilltop (7-8) with 14 points, followed by teammates Deonte Brackeen (12 points), Guy Trenga (12 points) and Michael Bembry (nine points).
Bonita Vista tips off Metro-Mesa League play Wednesday at defending San Diego Section Division II champion Mater Dei Catholic, which is off to a 9-7 start this season. The Barons host Eastlake (7-6 in 2014-15) next Friday in another key league game.
Dumas is hoping his team can continue to build on the solid season it has turned in to this point.
“It will be interesting to see how we compete in league play with the other teams,” Dumas said. “Hopefully, we can have a good showing and take it as far as we can from there.”
Could the Barons and Lancers rematch in the playoffs? Dumas admits t could be a possibility.
“Hilltop is a good team, and I think they will make the playoffs, and I think we will make the playoffs,” the BVHS coach said.
Boys Basketball
San Diego Section Power Rankings
Division IV
1. Bonita Vista (14-7) 42.43
2. Chula Vista Calvary Christian Academy (8-2) 41.90
3. Hilltop (7-8) 41.60
4. El Capitan (4-13) 41.47
5. Vincent Memorial (9-8) 41,41
6. Calipatria (6-7) 41.23
7. Chula Vista (4-10) 41.00
8. Maranatha Christian (12-8) 41.00
9. Castle Park (5-11) 40.94
10. Brawley (4-12) 40.81
11. Clairemont (2-15) 40.35
12. Escondido Adventist Academy (7-8) 40.20
13. Mar Vista (5-7) 40.17
14. Santana (3-10) 39.85
15. High Tech North County (3-6) 39.78
16. San Diego Jewish Academy (6-11) 39.71
17. Southwest (3-11) 39.29
18. Mission Vista (6-10) 39.24
19. Guajoma Park Academy (2-7) 39.00
20. Pacific Ridge (11-3) 38.80
21. Rock Academy (0-8) 38.00
22. Southwest El Centro (4-7) 37.82
23. Calexico (4-13) 36.06
