Bulldogs finish strong in Mount Miguel basketball invitational
By Bill Tamburrino
Ramona High School made a strong finish in the Mount Miguel Invitational basketball tournament.
After opening the tourney with two home losses, the Dawgs went on the road and the road was kind to the Bulldogs. With wins over Hilltop High School, High Tech High School of Chula Vista, and High Tech High School of San Diego, the Dawgs improved their record to 3-5.
The Dawgs opened the week at home hosting Vista Murietta High School (4-4). The Broncos beat the Dawgs 77-62.
Three Bulldogs scored in double figures. Marco Cobian and Dylan Fieger shared scoring honors as both Dawgs scored 15 points. Zach White contributed 13 points. Scott Stransky (1), Riley Hubbard (2), Ryan Heiar (2), Davis Windes (2), and Alex Rogers (9) also scored for the Dawgs. The key factor in the game was the Broncos’ domination on the boards at both ends of the court. Ramona only grabbed four offensive rebounds and ended the game with a total of 10 rebounds. The 16 Bulldog turnovers also impacted the game.
Former Bulldog teacher and coach Jim Choe brought another Bronco team to the Dawg house as Rancho Bernardo (2-2) literally out-fought the Bulldogs 44-36 in a game that was more physical than most football games.
With 2:10 left in the first period, more fouls were committed than points were scored as RB led 5-0. The score at the end of the first period was 7-4 RB.
The Broncos found their offense in the second quarter and outscored the Dawgs 19-5 to take a 26-9 lead at intermission. Ramona rebounded in the third period and outscored the Broncos 19-2. With the score tied going into the final stanza, Scott Stransky hit two free throws to give the Dawgs their only lead of the game. RB answered with a 3-pointer and proceeded to outscore the Dawgs 16-8 to escape with a win. Matt Lawler was the only Bulldog to score in double digits as the 6-foot-6-inch forward scored 11 points. Lawler also had a good night on the boards as he grabbed seven defensive rebounds and had eight on the night. Ramona only had six offensive rebounds in the game.
The Dawgs hit the road and traveled to Hilltop High School (0-7) to face the Lancers. Both teams were searching for their first win of the season and the Dawgs put together their best game of the season as they beat the Lancers 73-51.
The Bulldogs fell behind 10-0 but rallied and the game was close after the first eight minutes as the Dawgs led 14-11.
“When we started to play together as a team and executed our offense and defense we gained our confidence,” said coach David Reichner. A 22-6 run in the second period was the difference in the game.
Fieger led all scorers with 17 points while White and Heiar both scored 13 points. Rogers and Heiar led the Dawgs in rebounding with four boards apiece. Ramona grabbed 15 defensive rebounds which was a key to the victory.
The Bulldogs won their second game in a row as they beat High Tech High (2-7) 52-39 at Madison High School. High Tech Chula Vista is a public school with enrollment of 500.
The Dawgs had their best rebounding game of the year as they grabbed 25 boards. Hubbard, Heiar and Rogers all had four rebounds apiece.
The offense was paced by White who led all scorers with 13 points. Cobian also tallied in double figures with 10 points. Stransky (3), Hubbard (4), Heiar (4), Fieger (6), and Lawler (8) also scored.
The Dawgs finished the Mount Miguel Tournament by beating High Tech High School of San Diego (4-4) 62-44 at Morse High School. High Tech High of San Diego is a public school with 550 students.
Reichner had praise for the defensive play of Lawler and Fieger. Lawler drew the assignment to guard Jan Glaster while Fieger guarded Elijah Saramento.
“Although Glaster scored a game high 21 points, Matt held him to zero points in the first quarter and wore him down,” said Reichner.
Saramento only scored 1 point. “Dylan locked him up and fulfilled his assignment with the help of Davis Windes,” Reichner said.
White led the offense with 18 points, six on 3 point shots. Cobian was a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arch and finished with 11 points. Stransky, Fieger and Lawler all scored 6 points apiece. Heiar scored 5, and Rogers and Windes scored 4 apiece. Hubbard scored 2 points.
The Dawgs will be off until Dec. 27 when they travel to Army-Navy High School to take on Calvary Christian Academy in the Tri-City Christian Tournament. Calvary Christian Academy is a pre-school through high school private school with a student population of about 500.