LJ b BB 52, Cathedral Catholic 59

By Ed Piper

La Jolla, in one of its dwindling chances to make a dent in the 2019 Western League basketball race, struggled with visiting giant Cathedral Catholic to a two-point lead early, then stayed within striking distance in never trailing by more than eight.

But closing the gap and tying the Dons and shot-swatter Obinna Anyanwu 45-45 early in the fourth quarter, the Vikings, characteristically since the turn of the year, failed to capitalize on their momentum, instead falling to a disheartening 59-52 loss Mon., Jan. 28.

It seemed like Cathedral (7-2 in league, 17-8 overall) was ripe for the upset, as an earnest La Jolla team (3-6, 10-14) battled on even terms early, down only 27-26 late in the second quarter.

"He (Anyanwu) is a good player, but our team did a good job," said Viking freshman Max Raulston, who attempted multiple shots inside against the 6'7" Anyanwu and 6'8" Dillon Wilhite. "We shut down a great team. We just didn't make free throws and take care of the ball."

Anyanwu had five blocks. Wilhite added four more.

Repeatedly, Vikings Diego Solis, Nick Hulquist, Raulston, and Christian Gamboa drove the middle, not without impunity but unhesitatingly. Solis, in a short appearance in the initial quarter, ended up sprawled on the LJHS gym floor on one attempt, but was rewarded with a pair of free throws in getting fouled by Obinna. (He couldn't sink either shot.)

With the score tied with 7:15 left on Hulquist's three-pointer, La Jolla quickly yielded a three, free throws by outside bomber Thomas Notarainni, and a bucket by the rangy Anyanwu for a seven-point deficit with 5:34 to play.

Raulston drove, was fouled, and made the first of two free throws, then Gamboa put a shot back up and notched a pair of free throws. The Vikings, before a small weekday afternoon crowd, were down 52-50 with 3:40 to play.

But they gave up points like flowing sand behind Notarainni's incessant aggressiveness. The guard is tall (6'4"), big, (195 pounds), and older than other sophomores (held back a year).

The Vikings had one last chance. Trailing by only five at 57-52 with 16.7 on the clock, senior Jett Wilson committed an offensive foul, turning the ball over and ending the threat.

Hulquist sank four three-pointers. Gamboa scored 16 points. Raulston had eight free throw attempts due to his aggressiveness. He made two.

Senior Behzad Hashemi hit a pair of three-pointers for a total of 10 points.

Notarainni led all scorers with 24 points, including three treys. Anyanwu had 19 on 9 of 11 shooting. He added 15 rebounds, 12 of those on the defensive end.