LJ b BB: Team game, dream game

Pitrofsky goes up for

opening tip against

UC's Justin Holder.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

 

La Jolla edged University City Feb. 12, 65-63, and it had to be Viking Coach Paul Baranowski's mini "dream" game.

Point guard Reed Farley was back. But somebody else helped carry the load.

Postman Alex Pitrofsky had a breakout game, scoring 23 points and snagging 14 rebounds--a whopping 13 rebounds on the offensive end.

Shooting guard Ladd Castellano scored 16 points and added 7 rebounds.

Senior Zach Duffy tossed in three three-pointers for his only points of the night. A nice contribution.

We all knew Reed could score. And ditto for Ladd. But would someone else from Vikingville step up and put in some points?

That someone against UC was Pitrofsky, who has shown signs of brilliance in shot-blocking and work on the boards in his first varsity season as a junior.

It clicked like synergy between Farley and Pitrofsky, especially at the end of the first quarter and during the second quarter. The Vikings spread the floor around the perimeter, and Farley would find Alex inside.

Even when it wasn't a pass from the point guard, the two clicked. On the last score of the half, Farley drove and was blocked by some Centurions 10 feet from the basket. His shot, instead of launching in an arc toward the hoop, dribbled down and was an unguided missile for an instant. The 6'6" big man, seemingly intuitively knowing where to go, grabbed the loose ball in midair and pushed it up two-handed to the bucket for the basket.

Early in the season, Farley referred to his coach's desire for him to spread the ball around. "I could score more, but Coach wants me to get others involved in the offense," the sophomore said back then.

Someone said: You can get there faster alone. But together you can go farther.

Let's see what happens with two tantalizing games to complete the regular season before playoffs, both at home: Mission Bay Tues., Feb. 17, and Cathedral Catholic Fri., Feb. 20. La Jolla lost to both opponents in the first round with Farley sidelined.


Copyright 2015 Ed Piper