Two victories give boys basketball winning record
By Bill Tamburrino
The Bulldog boys basketball team ensured the first winning record in regular season play for coach David Reichner by beating Oceanside (10-15, 4-4) and Valley Center (6-18, 0-8) in home games.
The two wins also put the Dawgs in the running for a home game in the upcoming CIF Division III playoffs. The Dawgs are 13-10 overall and 5-3 in the Valley League.
Ramona High beat Oceanside High School in a triple overtime thriller, 93-85. It was the first victory over Oceanside since the 2009-2010 season when Ken Scheib’s Dawgs swept Oceanside in Valley League action.
“One of the most exciting, thrilling and historical events at RHS,” stated Reichner on the team’s website. “Several fans and parents have been calling and emailing in support of the spectacular effort. Some fans commenting that the call for a change in the culture has come to pass,” continued Reichner.
Ramona started out with an 18-2 run. Oceanside gradually battled back into the contest and tied the score at 70 in regulation with just enough time on the clock for one Bulldog final shot. Scott Stransky took that shot and, in the words of Reichner, “His 3-point shot just rimmed out causing the first overtime.”
Stransky again had the ball in his hands at the end of the first overtime. With under five seconds left to play, the senior guard drove the floor and got off a 3-point shot. It missed but Stransky was fouled and went to the line shooting three with the Dawgs trailing by 2 points. Stransky missed the first free throw and sunk the second. Oceanside’s coach called time-out to ice Stransky. The ploy didn’t work as Stransky tied the score, sending the teams into the second overtime.
With the Dawgs trailing by 3 at the end of the second overtime, Stransky hit a 3-point goal, sending the teams into the third overtime.
Stransky had his best night as a Bulldog. He scored 26 points, grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds, had two steals and two assists and a blocked shot.
Blake Seits lit up the nets as he hit six 3-point shots on his way to a career-high 23 points. Seits also had four steals to lead the team in that category, and he blocked two shots.
Marco Cobian scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Colton Harris (8), Riley Hubbard (5), Christian Dominguez (4), Calvin Harris (3), Tanner “T-Bone” Williams (2) and Austin Pierce (2) also scored in the historical victory.
Ramona beat Valley Center by taking charge in the opening minute and led the Jaguars the entire game in a 78-69 win.
Cobian led the Dawgs in scoring and rebounding as he scored 23 points and grabbed eight boards.
Stransky scored 19 points and led the team with seven assists. Seits continued to burn the nets from beyond the arc as he sunk four 3-point shots on his way to 16 points. Colton Harris was a force under the basket on both ends of the court as he grabbed seven rebounds and scored 8 points. Jake Newman (2), Anthony Silvaggio (2), Dominguez (5), Williams (2) and Calvin Harris (1) also scored in victory.
The Dawgs will play their final regular season home game on Friday and it will be Senior Night. The game will start at 7 p.m.