Guard Zach Duffy (14) has been working hard and it
has paid off in a slot as a starter in this, his senior year.
Here Duffy and Mark Rawdin (24) face Bonita Vista.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
"It's a pretty good preparation game for us," said La Jolla High basketball coach Paul Baranowski of its non-league win at Bonita Vista Jan. 3, "because Scripps Ranch will zone us," the same way the Barons defended the Vikings.
He went on to say, after the 89-58 win over the weekend, "And if we shoot it the way we did tonight, (we'll be in good shape)."
Scripps Ranch is the Vikings' opponent in their Western League opener at La Jolla Tues., Jan. 6, at 5:15 p.m.
Regarding Friday's opponent, Lincoln, at the Hornets' place, "film" yet to be viewed is going to hold the key. "We aren't sure what they're going to be like," said the coach, in his third year at the helm at La Jolla (20-plus years total coaching).
Friday's game will feature a girls/boys doubleheader, with the Vikings girls at 6 p.m., the boys following at approximately 7:30 p.m. That is the format for several of the league games coming this month and in February.
Baranowski noted that though his squad has gone a solid 8-4 through pre-league games, "We still have not had all 13 players here and healthy." Grant Miller is still inactive, recovering from a concussion in the football team's final CIF playoff game. A couple of players were away during part or all of the two-week winter vacation just completed.
Eddie Parker sat out a game due to a leg injury. Earlier in December, Mark Rawdin was out with a knee issue.
A basketball treat coming up, from this reporter's view, is La Jolla getting to try its skills against St. Augustine, which is ranked eighth in the San Diego CIF Section by MaxPreps. It's always fun to play against the best. Just ask Reed Farley. Last year he relished playing Lincoln at Lincoln, usually a tough task, when he was in his first year of high school.
La Jolla has a more matured, seasoned team this year. So the guard corps including Ladd Castellano and Farley should be able to lead the team to be more effective. Fellow guard Zach Duffy has been working hard. Wing Owen Porter showed his growth especially on one sprint down court against Bonita Vista in which he took the ball from halfcourt and laid the ball up from the left side under heavy duress.
Rawdin showed effectiveness close to the basket in the same game. Hopefully, big man Alex Pitrofsky can quickly transition back to where his game was before Christmas break, after time off with his family.
Greg Jones, whose son Matt played at La Jolla High about six years ago, asked how the team was. I said "not great, but solid." Some alumni from last year asked the same question at the Grossmont Invitational before Christmas. It portends to be a good league season.
Copyright 2015 Ed Piper
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