When the Eastlake Titans defeated the visiting Bonita Vista Barons, 60-47, on Monday, it created a three-way tie for first place in the Mesa League standings between the Titans, Montgomery Aztecs and Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders — all with 3-0 league records.
Following Wednesday’s slate of league games, two of those teams remained undefeated in league play: Montgomery and Mater Dei Catholic.
Seventh-ranked Mater Dei Catholic defeated visiting Eastlake, 74-49, to improve to 4-0 in league play, 15-6 overall.
Ninth-ranked Montgomery topped host San Ysidro, 69-67, to improve to 4-0 in league play, 15-3 overall.
Eastlake dropped to 3-1 in league play, 11-8 overall.
Aztec territory
Montgomery entered the week in first place in the Mesa League standings with a 3-0 record following a 67-47 win at Bonita Vista on Jan. 10.
The Aztecs remained in first place following the team’s ninth consecutive win on Wednesday as Ze’Tiam Burton poured in 24 points and teammate Timothy Crawford added 14 points.
The visitors had to overcome some big numbers by the hosts. Kailen Rains led San Ysidro (0-5 in league play, 7-16 overall) with 25 points while Philix Kilbourne dropped in 19 points, and Malik Campbell had 11 points.
Montgomery led 40-34 at halftime and 53-48 entering the final quarter.
A definite strength for the Aztecs is team chemistry, according to head coach Ed Martin.
“We are a tight knit group returning all five starters from last year, playing really well together,” Martin said. “Being in such a tough league, we’ve had to be playing our best basketball and I think we are doing so at this point.”
It took a comeback effort to down Bonita Vista.
The Aztecs trailed 11-10 after the first period and were on the bottom of a 32-27 score at halftime before catching fire in the second half to out-score the Barons 40-15 to come away on top.
Sebastian Morgan led the Aztecs with 15 points in the comeback win while Crawford contributed 14 points. Rahin Williams added 13 points and 10 rebounds while Kyle Paranada tossed in 12 points as four Montgomery players finished in double-digit scoring.
Morgan sank three treys.
Crusader Nation
Mater Dei Catholic matched Montgomery’s league start by crushing Eastlake with a 22-9 run in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game.
Trey Anderson led the Crusaders with 27 points while Beon Riley added 17 points to buttress the team’s latest win.
Jarret Isaacson paced Eastlake with 17 points.
Mater Dei Catholic topped visiting Otay Ranch, 77-59, on Jan. 10 and bested host San Ysidro, 95-52, last Friday to remain undefeated in league play.
Mater Dei dropped a 78-67 decision at Rancho Christian in a showcase game last Saturday, but rebounded to defeat host Grossmont, 71-53, in a non-league game on Tuesday in East County.
Anderson led the Crusaders in Tuesday’s game with 19 points while Riley poured in 15 points. Joshua Tawhiao was the third MDCHS player to hit in double figures with 13 points.
Riley had 24 points in the win over Otay Ranch.
Mater Dei Catholic head coach Kenny Caeser pointed out that his team has five freshmen on the varsity team. Riley is a sophomore.
“We have played an extremely tough preseason,” Caesar explained. “We have one of the highest strength of schedules in the county. I believe it has prepared us for the Mesa League and hopefully will help in the postseason.”
Mater Dei Catholic is scheduled to play a high profile league game at Montgomery on Wednesday, Jan. 24.
Remember the Titans
Eastlake improved to 3-0 in league play following Monday’s win. Isaacson paced the Titans with 16 points while Brian Leonhardt dropped in 14 points. Kevin Bateman added 12 points to brace the winners, who improved to 11-7 on the season.
Patrick Carson led Bonita Vista (0-4 in league, 12-9 overall) with 10 points.
Eastlake had improved to 2-0 in league play after edging visiting Olympian, 46-45, last Friday as Leonhardt led the winners with 11 points.
Gio Martinez keyed the Eagles (1-2 in league, 12-6 overall) with 15 points in the loss.
Best of the rest
In another Mesa League game on Wednesday, Otay Ranch defeated host Olympian, 74-56, as Diego Sanchez led the victors with 23 points.
Otay Ranch defeated visiting Bonita Vista, 73-55, last Friday behind 16 points from Chris Stanek and 16 points from Sanchez.
Stanek sank 12 points in the loss to Mater Dei Catholic.
In a non-league game on Monday, Otay Ranch topped host Santana, 81-69, as Ray King poured in 20 points and Stanek added 15 points.
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
(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.
