By Ed Piper
There is joy in Mudville.
La Jolla played with discipline, and built up a 16-2 lead in the first quarter.
Then after a swoon following halftime, Coach Paul Baranowski's team played smart down the stretch to hold on for an encouraging 47-38 win over visiting Valhalla in the Grossmont Invitational Thurs., Dec. 19.
All troops are on board, with Diego Solis and Luke Brunette coming over--finally--after the football season.
The Vikings evidenced this, playing calmly and under control in a first quarter that saw nary a mistake in building a big edge over the struggling Norsemen in bright orange (including shoes).
It wasn't that the two football heroes played key roles. They didn't.
But, with their fall teammates cheering on the whole team from the stands, La Jolla weathered the storm, even when what reached a 17-point lead (28-11 after two quarters) evaporated into a tie at 33-33 beginning the fourth period on Joe Avalos' three-pointer.
Forward Max Raulston played under control, staying within himself, including a tone-setting seven-foot jumper from the right side to kick off scoring.
The 6'2" leaper scored off an inbounds pass from fellow sophomore Brennan Ross for 11-2. The diminutive Ross, who has struggled in his trial by fire, thrown into Baranowski's starting lineup in his first year on varsity, immediately canned a three after that.
Meanwhile, floor leader Christian Gamboa was able to concentrate on his individual role, instead of trying to carry the whole team.
Then, when things got sticky in the third quarter, sophomore Josue Amaya filling up the basket with three treys and a pair of two-pointers for 13 in the period for Valhalla (3-6), La Jolla let the game come to them.
Nothing was forced. The Vikings didn't panic--even being out-scored through the third quarter and into the fourth, 22-5.
With the score knotted at 33-all, Raulston had a putback, then a layup. Max, shooting five for six on free throws on the night, made one of two from the line. He followed with two more free throws.
Gamboa drove and dished off to Raulston on a pretty play. La Jolla led, 42-35, with three minutes left.
Christian made two free throws. By the time Solis made a steal against the Norsemen's offense and drove for the bucket for two, missing the and-one free throw, the hosts had avenged a loss Monday to Eastlake in the Grossmont Invitational with the 47-38 win.
Raulston finished with 23 points.
The Vikings (4-9) play Coronado Friday night, Dec. 20, then Christian High Saturday night, both games at 7:30 p.m. at LJHS, which is serving as an alternate site for the tournament.
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