LJ b BB: Redux

Nick Hulquist (far left) gets fives after being introduced
in the Viking starting lineup before the game.
(Photo by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

Let's try to put La Jolla's successful first half of December in perspective: the Vikings have gone home with wins in five of six outings, four of those in a tournament.

Last year, the Vikings swept through tournament month, looking like world-beaters as they entered the early new year with a dozen wins.

The difference from last year is that the program is depending on a pretty much completely different cast of characters. Reed Farley has moved on to Ivy League gyms, though Charlie Gal, who has been a key member of the team the past two years since he was a sophomore, continues his vital contributions near the basket.

What's ahead in the Western League in early 2018, and the Vikings know it, are tough characters in the Catholic private schools, Cathedral Catholic and St. Augustine. Mission Bay, returning four players who started last year as sophomores, was ranked third in CIF in a preseason poll. And Lincoln has a rich basketball heritage.

But, to enjoy things for now, La Jolla is winning while playing well. More importantly, they're beating the opponents that they're facing. What's not to enjoy about that? The seaside school hasn't faced elite teams--that will come for the first time with Foothills Christian at home Sat., Dec. 16--but they have been handling mid-level teams.

The development of new anchors--Jacob Ohara, especially--and new faces--Behzad Hashemi didn't play much on the varsity as a sophomore, Nick Hulquist is sprouting--is happening right before our very eyes.

And, as I was remarking to the school principal, who was at Tuesday's game at University City, they're fun to watch. They're quick, their skill level is notable, and, in a reworking of my mother's quote, winning covers a multitude of sins. (The original verse says love covers a multitude of sins.)

As I read these sentences over, I am reminded that outside of the streaky Farley, the Vikings haven't had a true outside threat in a while. Hashemi provides that. Hulquist gave some of it in the win over UC Dec. 12. Ditto Quinn Rawdin. Gal may very well put together a consistent outside shooting game here very soon, with the way he is making noise.

The next stretch of games presents some fun possibilities. Coach Paul Baranowski said that La Jolla High is being added this year as an alternate site for Grossmont Invitational Tournament games. So the Vikings will host Westview Fri., Dec. 15, Foothills the next night, then Country Day and Canyon Crest the following week. The Torreys will bring some talent. Canyon Crest only lost out on the Hilltop Invitational final because the Ravens lost their opening game to Otay Ranch, dropping them out of the championship bracket. (La Jolla beat Otay Ranch for the title.)

Sandwiched in between comes the annual non-league game against rival Bishop's, always a favorite of students from both schools, many of whom know one another. That game comes next Tues., Dec. 19, in the Big Gym.

Another good note is that Gabe Solis, suffering from a back injury since the Viking football team's last playoff game, dressed for the first time this season, though he did not play. During warm-ups, he said his lower back was "okay".