LJ b BB 57, Helix 65

Garrett Brown (13) and Charlie Gal (hidden) put

pressure on Helix's Jaylen Arnold in a tough,

physical battle for the Vikings.

(Photo by Ed Piper, Jr.)

By Ed Piper, Jr.

La Jolla's basketball team showed it can play with good opponents, but the depth of Coach Paul Baranowski's rotation was challenged by a big, physical Helix team that took home a 65-57 win Wednesday night, December 7, in the Hilltop Invitational.

The Vikings (now 3-1) came back from trailing by seven points in the third quarter, to end the period behind by one, 41-40.

In fact, La Jolla, playing in the tourney semifinals, was down only 50-48 with three and a half minutes left in the game. Reed Farley stole a ball at midcourt and slammed a two-hander down to punctuate the points.

But then the Highlanders' Dylan Lee scored key baskets as Helix pulled away while three Vikings starters fouled out in the last minute, forced to foul to stop the clock from ticking down.

"It was a good test for us," said Farley afterward, wearing a number 32 jersey he had to change into after referees spotted blood on his trademark number 33 uniform from an insignificant cut he sustained earlier in the game.

"We battled back. I don't believe in moral victories, but you give us a whole year and I think we can (improve to) beat them."

Charlie Gal, bulky and 6'5", showed he can play physically with the caliber of Helix's athletes. Collectively, the Vikings are viable and road-ready as far as being able to play together when they're mentally prepared, with returners Nick Hammel and Quinn Rawdin able to compete. Daniel McColl up front makes a significant contribution alongside Gal.

Farley, who draws quite a bit of attention from fans from other teams, had to take over increasingly more of the Vikings' offensive attack as they got deeper into the game. The 6'4" senior acknowledged this. "I was trying to get to the rim. We haven't been shooting the ball well. That's a fundamental part of our offense."