LJ BB 53, Scripps Ranch 49 - Western League opener

Ladd Castellano hit a three-pointer from the top of the key after La Jolla worked through its offense, putting the Vikings up 48-43 with 2:10 left in the game, and LJHS held on to beat visiting Scripps Ranch 53-49 in the Western League opener for both teams Tues., Jan. 6.

"Ladd was clutch at the end with a three," said big man Alex Pitrofsky.

La Jolla led 22-15 at halftime, and never relinquished the lead, despite the Falcons coming back within one at 40-39, and again 42-41 in nervous time.

The 6'6" Pitrofsky, playing only his second game since missing tournament play over the winter vacation, had a block near the basket early in the third quarter. Then, with La Jolla holding a slim three-point lead starting the fourth quarter, Alex tipped in a Reed Farley miss to push the Vikings up 33-28.

Despite a spate of LJHS turnovers in the third quarter, Castellano sparkled by hitting both ends of a one-and-one with 25 seconds, in addition to his key jumper. That gave La Jolla a 51-45 lead.

Copyright 2015 Ed Piper