LJ b BB 45, Lincoln 54

Guard Jacob Ohara (4) led the Vikings
with 12 points.
(Photos by Ed Piper)
 

By Ed Piper

La Jolla looked pitiful after a 10-day layoff on Lincoln's home court in the first half, generating only 10 points. The Vikings managed a mere three points in the second quarter.

But then the visitors showed some signs of life after speedy guard Behzad Hashemi entered the game in the middle of the third quarter, cutting a 17-point lead to eight.

However, La Jolla didn't have enough gas to finish, falling to the Hornets 54-45 in the Western League opener for both teams.

Hashemi sat the first two and a half quarters. Then, when he was inserted, the Viking offense machine kicked on, with fellow guard Jacob Ohara ignited to make drives to the basket and La Jolla looking more confident overall with their floor general in place.

Lincoln, a poor free-throw shooting team, showed its vulnerability as La Jolla repeatedly fouled to stop the clock down the stretch. But senior leader Raquan Everett, averaging 20 points a game, held off Coach Paul Baranowski's team with drives and ball control.

Junior Otto Lenz suited up for the first
time on the LJHS varsity, a welcome
sight after a toe injury.

With 2:45 left in the third quarter, the Vikings trailing 32-15, Ohara, the 6'1" guard, scored on a driving layup. Fouled on another drive, Jacob made one of two free throws.

After forward Charlie Gal sank one of two charity tosses, Ohara stole the ball and scored again, but missed the and-one free throw. La Jolla trailed by 11.

After Gal hit a three-pointer with 43.7 on the clock, the red and black closed to within eight, where they ended the quarter. They weren't able to edge any closer, as they gave up their first league loss.

Everett, a 6'4" guard-forward, finished with 30 points to lead all scorers. Ohara led the Vikings with 12 points. Gal had 11, Nick Hulquist 9, and Hashemi in his short stint 8.

La Jolla won't get too many free wins in the Western League, with Patrick Henry coming at home Fri., Jan. 5, then Cathedral, St. Augustine, and top-ranked Mission Bay in short order.

The Vikings fell to 6-7 after starting the season 5-1 as winners of the Hilltop Invitational. Lincoln, meanwhile, was winning the championship of the Chula Vista Holiday Tournament. The Hornets' overall record is now 9-2.