LJ b BB 58, Serra 43

Junior Daniel McColl fights pressure from
Serra's Nolan Earl (11) and Justin McDonald.
(Photo by Ed Piper)



By Ed Piper

La Jolla outscored Serra 18-9 in the third quarter on the strength of solid passing, and the Vikings took home a refreshing 58-43 non-league win on the road over the Q's Wed., Jan. 6. The win washed away the willies from a disappointing loss by a large margin at Cathedral Catholic the night before.

After El Nino rains caused road closures and rising standing water in neighborhoods across the county for the second straight day, La Jolla traveled with care to Serra's campus. The Vikings' home gym had to be closed for the second straight night--the girls game was postponed Tuesday night--due to a leaking roof.

In the decisive third quarter, with the Vikings only leading by two, forward Morgan Albers started scoring with an aggressive left-handed move inside. Guard Nick Hammel hit a three-pointer from the left baseline before Serra coach Conrad Sun called a timeout.

After a five-second violation on an inbounds, La Jolla scored on another inbounds play with Alex Pitrofsky taking the ball up. Score: 33-26. After a basket by the Q's, Pitrofsky made another layup off a pass from Albers.

Guard Eddie Parker fed the 6'6" center for yet a third basket. Albers hit the first of two free throws, and the Vikings led by 10, 38-28.

There was good energy and a good effort on this night, despite Coach Paul Baranowski's absence reportedly due to traffic snarled by the storm. JV head coach and varsity assistant Dave Lehrberger ran things in his stead.

Pitrofsky made two free throws. Then Reed Farley fed Parker for an assist, then canned two free throws with 39 seconds left in the quarter. La Jolla led, 44-31.

The closest Serra could come in the final quarter was nine points, at 48-39.

When the Vikings were rolling in the third quarter, the best pass was one that went out of bounds. On a pass to Pitrofsky in the front court, he tried a touch push to try to get the ball quickly to an open Albers near the basket. It went off-course. Good thought, the execution just didn't work.

Farley was feeling his oats, at times trying no-look passes and ones behind his back. La Jolla's outside shooting was inconsistent, but the Vikings played well enough to secure the win.