Cagers drop 2 close games

Ken Scheib’s Bulldogs dropped two close decisions in Valley League boys varsity basketball action on their home court in the third week of league action.

The Dawgs lost to Valley Center High School 74-70 in the final seconds and dropped a hard fought battle to Westview High School in overtime. The Dawgs are now 12-8 overall and are 2-3 in the Valley League. They are only one game out of first place in the loss column. Valley Center leads the league with a 4-2 record.

In the game against Valley Center, the Dawgs built a 17-10 first period lead and led 40-36 at intermission. Ramona led 54-51 going into the final period, but the Jags staged a last minute rally. With the scored tied with 25 seconds remaining, Valley Center took the ball down the court and scored with 13 seconds left on the clock. Ramona had a chance to tie the game, but a driving layup failed to go in and Valley Center grabbed the rebound. Ramona was forced to foul and the Jags converted two free throws to win the game.

Andrew Alcaraz hit five three-point shots and scored 22 points to lead the Dawgs in scoring. Dodge McIntosh scored 20 points and played well on defense.

However, the difference in the game was the play of James Johnson, Valley Center’s go-to guy. Johnson took control of the game in the second half as he scored 35 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and held McIntosh to only one three-point goal. The Division I scholarship football player can also play hoops.

Cameron Kolk grabbed 11 rebounds for the Dawgs and had four assists and three steals.

The Bulldogs lost to Westview in overtime 55-52, also in the Dawg House.

Westview used its height advantage and started the game with 14-2 run and led 16-6 at the end of the first period. Ramona switched from a man defense to a zone and closed the gap to 22-18 at intermission.

The Bulldogs tied the Wolverines in the third period and the two teams traded the lead nine times in the second half. The game was tied at 47 at the end of regulation play.

Westview took the lead in the overtime period and never relinquished it.

Westview shot 13 free throws and converted on seven of them. Ramona only shot four free throws and sunk three of them. That was the difference in the game.

Josh Leiber came off the bench and led Ramona with 17 points. The 5’6” guard hit five three-point goals. Alcaraz scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds despite being the smallest player under the basket. McIntosh scored 15 points.

The Bulldogs played the game without the services of Kolk, who was ill. Bryson Garcia started in place of Kolk and Kwayde Miller also had considerable playing time. Both played well despite giving up considerable height in the paint.

Tyler Jordan played well in the paint, grabbing seven rebounds. Engler (4) and Garcia (6) also scored in the game.

Junior Varsity

The junior varsity beat Valley Center and lost to Westview in Valley League action.

Nathan Hunt led the bulldogs against Valley Center with 19 points and six steals. Travis Stevens (16), Jordan Wiley (10), Garrett Adelman (9), Sean Leahy (8), Sean Jennings (6), Tanner Long (2), Chris Durham (2) and Bobby Gaede (1) also scored in the win.

Adelman led the Dawgs in scoring against Westview with 12 points. Adelman hit three three point goals for the second straight game. Hunt (10), Adam Watson (9), Wiley (5), Durham (5), Jennings (4), and Long (3) also scored for the Dawgs. Coach Joe Engler had praise for the defensive play of John Paul Iraheta.