Nic Skala, back in action, takes it to
Hornets in frustrating them like crazy.
Skala scored 17 points.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
The La Jolla Vikings looked like a completely different team from the harried, wide-eyed squad that was blistered by University City earlier in the week, and gave Lincoln a run for its money in its home gym, finally succumbing 69-59 in a Western League game Fri. evening, Jan. 10.
Nic Skala bucketed 17 points in only partial time. Coach Paul Baranowski, in pregame comments, had said that he was glad Nic was returning after not making the UC contest earlier in the week. In that contest, the Vikings were clearly out-quicked, out-run, and out-pressured, in addition to major rebounding woes. Myles Poulger, part of the team depth in quickness, as well as forward Sam Schneider had also sat out the game against the Centurions due to injury.
But on this night, on the site where such greats as Marcus Allen and Terrell Fletcher romped, La Jolla's guard threesome of Ladd Castellano, Reed Farley, and Skala played without deer-in-the-headlights visages. Castellano's and Farley's travel team experience is evident in the composure they carry themselves with.
Jason Bryant, Lincoln's coach, accustomed to things like the Hornets' state CIF championship in 2010, was having fits at La Jolla's success against his minions. The 2010 banner hangs ominously above the visitors' team bench at the west end of the Lincoln gym.
On one transition play in the first half, Farley dribbled the ball the length of the floor and successfully finished with a layup under heavy defensive pressure.
In another sequence, the 6-2 Skala scooted into the paint like he belonged there, even among Lincoln's taller defenders, and scored.
When Farley pulled up on the right side for a 15-foot jump shot, his man having fallen off him, Bryant was up screaming at the defender, "You have to stay on him, you have to stay on him!"
This impertinent behavior of La Jolla, the supposed meek and lowly boys from the coast, daring to play not only with confidence but also with attack verve, is not what the two-time state champs are used to expecting when the Vikings visit.
Farley showed an expression of disgust on his face on the defensive end in the first half after a referee's call went against his harassment and block of a Hornet shot under the basket, awarding the ball to the Hornets out of bounds. The expression wasn't one of arrogance or bad sportsmanship. He obviously didn't feel Lincoln deserved to be kowtowed to just because La Jolla came a-visiting.
This kind of confidence isn't always evident among the Vikings. The first half standoff between the two teams wasn't like the old "Hey, look, we're still in the game with Lincoln." It was more like "Let's kick their behinds!"
Poulger, before the game, spoke of the Vikings' need to apply pressure and overcome the disorganized look of the previous Tuesday against UC. Elijah Kerns, a front court player, in answer to questions, spoke of the challenge the Vikings face in the Western League, with St. Augustine ranked at the top of the county poll and Mission Bay playing extremely well.
But on this night, the school that Jewel attended represented well, despite the final outcome. Maybe she has a song about that. Her lyrics, "Say that you'll stay forever this way," could be the La Jolla fans imploring their heroes to keep playing with the same self-assurance they showed some of on Jan. 10.
Copyright 2014 Ed Piper
