The South Bay League boys basketball circuit continues to remain competitive in the early going of league play as the standings remain bunched near the top.
Sweetwater received 16 points from Neilrayn Pangilinan and 15 points and 15 rebounds from C.J. MacMillan in Wednesday’s 76-36 win at Castle Park to remain undefeated in South Bay League play.
The victory improved Sweetwater to 3-0 in league play, 8-7 overall.
Wednesday’s win built on last Friday’s 73-58 home court win over Southwest. The Red Devils tipped off league play with a 75-41 win at Mar Vista on Jan. 10.
Pangilinan had 28 points and Jimmy Mattox and McMillan each contributed 19 points to allow the hosts to overcome a game-high 33 points from Southwest’s Diego Edwards.
“We are playing together and starting to gel,” Sweetwater coach Jesse Aguirre said. “The freshmen are really coming into their own.
“Mar Vista plays extremely hard and physical. We weren’t ready for that but overcame it with our speed and transition game. Southwest is going to surprise some teams. This is not the same Southwest we saw play in December. They have a lot of guys back from vacation and they look good.
“I tell my kids to just worry about us and what we are doing. I truly believe if we play our game we will be fine.”
Hilltop kept pace with Sweetwater at the top of the South Bay League standings after topping west side rival Chula Vista, 60-41, on Wednesday behind 24 points from Justin Wilson.
The Lancers edged visiting Mar Vista, 60-59, last Friday. Wilson led the hosts with 14 points while Marcos Deanda tacked on 12 points in that game.
Hilltop started the season 2-12. The Lancers are now 5-12.
“Our team has been working hard all season and we are starting to see some of the fruit of our labor,” Hilltop head coach Luke Kelley said. “It’s a great start to league play, but we are not satisfied by any means. All of the teams in the South Bay know each other very well, and every game will be a tough challenge.”
Boys Basketball Standings
Mesa League
(Through Wednesday, Jan. 17)
League/Overall
Montgomery Aztecs 4-0, 15-3
Mater Dei Catholic 4-0, 15-6
Eastlake Titans 3-1, 11-8
Otay Ranch Mustangs 3-2, 12-6
Olympian Eagles 1-3, 12-7
Bonita Vista Barons 0-4, 12-9
San Ysidro Cougars 0-5, 7-16
Wednesday, Jan. 10
Montgomery 67, Bonita Vista 47
Olympian 54, San Ysidro 46
Mater Dei Catholic 77, Otay Ranch 59
Friday, Jan. 12
Eastlake 46, Olympian 45
Otay Ranch 73, Bonita Vista 55
Mater Dei Catholic 95, San Ysidro 52
Monday, Jan. 15
Eastlake 60, Bonita Vista 47
Wednesday, Jan. 17
Otay Ranch 75, Olympian 56
Mater Dei Catholic 74, Eastlake 49
Montgomery 69, San Ysidro 67
Friday, Jan. 19
Olympian at Mater Dei Catholic, 6 p.m.
San Ysidro at Bonita Vista, 6 p.m.
Montgomery at Eastlake, 6 p.m.
South Bay League Standings
(Through Wednesday, Jan. 17)
League/Overall
Sweetwater Red Devils 3-0, 8-7
Hilltop Lancers 3-0, 5-12
Southwest Raiders 2-1, 7-10
Chula Vista Spartans 0-2, 6-14
Castle Park Trojans 0-3, 0-14
Mar Vista Mariners 0-3, 4-12
Wednesday, Jan. 10
Southwest 70, Chula Vista 48
Sweetwater 75, Mar Vista 41
Hilltop 56, Castle Park 32
Friday, Jan. 12
Hilltop 60, Mar Vista 59
Chula Vista 55, Castle Park 42
Sweetwater 73, Southwest 58
Monday, Jan. 15
West Hills 63, Sweetwater 54 (MLK CClassic)
Wednesday, Jan. 17
Hilltop 60, Chula Vista 41
Southwest 61, Mar Vista 45
Sweetwater 76, Castle Park 36
Thursday, Jan. 18
Mar Vista at High Tech High Chula Vista, 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 19
Hilltop at Southwest, 6 p.m.
Castle Park at Mar Visa, 6 p.m.
Chula Vista at Sweetwater, 6 p.m.
