Grossmont 3-A League : Unlike Last Year, League Championship Up For Grabs

Last year, Monte Vista was the obvious choice as the Grossmont 3-A League favorite.

It had the league’s two best players, both of whom had already signed with Division I programs--Joe McNaull, now at San Diego State, and Jeff Polinsky, at U.S. International.

And the Monarchs didn’t disappoint, breezing to an 8-0 record.

This year, however, there is no favorite and the league title could go any which way. In the words of Monte Vista Coach Zach Peck, it’s “scary.”

“Nobody knows what’s going to happen,” Peck said. “Like I tell my kids, we could end up 6-2, 2-6, 1-7 or 0-8. But that’s the way it should be. Someone who thinks they’re going to do well may not.”

Peck’s colleagues among Grossmont 3-A coaches echo his sentiments. With McNaull and Polinsky gone, the teams are more equal and the league will no doubt be more competitive.

Helix (10-4) is the most balanced team and is given a slight edge over Mt. Miguel (9-4) as league play opens tonight.

Helix led the county in defense last year but currently ranks eighth, giving up an average of 56.1 points a game.

“If we can play defense, our offense will come,” Helix Coach John Singer said. “We’re still finding (where) people (fit). We might just piece things together by the end of the year.”

Guard Domingo Rivera is the nucleus of Mt. Miguel’s team, which without him probably would not be a contender.

But even a team like El Capitan, with a 6-7 record, could pose a threat. In the Bonita Vista Tournament, El Capitan defeated Bonita Vista to win the tournament.

Said Singer: “If El Capitan can beat Bonita Vista but is only fourth in our league, then we have one hell of a league this year.”

THE RACE

Top contenders: Helix (14-8 in 1989-90), Mt. Miguel (13-9), Monte Vista (17-7).

Surprise potential: El Capitan (10-14).

Hoping for improvement: Granite Hills.

Game of the year: Helix at Mt. Miguel, Jan. 18. With the league race a toss-up, this game between the front-runners is critical.

THE PLAYERS

The man: Although Mt. Miguel guard Domingo Rivera averages 18 points a game, it’s not his scoring that has league coaches raving.

“Domingo makes Mt. Miguel a threat,” Peck said. “He makes the other kids better. He plays very good gambling defense and is tough to stop.”

Added Granite Hills Coach Lon Underwood: “He’s the best player (in the league), especially for what he does for the team. His senior leadership keeps the team pumped up.

“He’s a coach on the floor. They don’t have much talent. But he can rebound, pass, break a press and acts well when it comes down to the crunch.”

Who will fill McNaull’s shoes? Jabari Williams may not be as skilled a ball handler or as proficient a shooter as McNaull, but Williams, a 6-4 senior center is providing leadership on the court for Monte Vista.

Williams, who is averaging 18 points a game, saw some playing time last year.

His strong work ethic, Peck said, makes Williams one of the better players on the team.

Others to watch: Monte Vista’s 6-3 junior forward Aaron Elliott and 6-4 senior guard/forward Derrick Ellington give the Monarchs good overall size.

Helix’s Lloyd Lake may not be the best shooter but a he is a good scorer, Singer said. The 6-1 junior forward is averaging 18 points a game for the Highlanders.

Tyron Wiggins, a 6-10 junior guard, never played basketball until this year when he transferred to El Capitan but he was the most valuable player as El Capitan won the Bonita Vista Tournment.

Mt. Miguel’s 5-11 sophomore guard, Marcos Gallardo, is averaging 13 points a game. Coach Bill Sullivan said Gallardo “is a streak player who can scored 20 points a game if he’s on.”

THE INTANGIBLES

New coach, new style: Granite Hills not only has first-year coach Underwood, but also a new style of play. The Eagles (3-12) have talent enough but it’s taking time to adapt to the new style of play.

“They’re used to running and gunning and we’re trying to be a ball control team this year,” Underwood said. “We tried the running and gunning approach and it didn’t work. We’re a year away from playing the kind of ball we need to play.”

Add Granite Hills: Turnovers are a major problem for the Eagles right now.

“We have a lot of good players but our major problem is the turnovers,” Underwood said. “The team needs to work on handling the ball.”

Granite Hills is averaging 20 turnovers a game.