The El Cajon Valley High School boys basketball team certainly made an impression during its opening two games in the 43rd annual Baron-Optimist Holiday Classic tournament on Dec. 26. The Braves tipped off tourney play with a 72-55 victory against Gompers and returned later in the day to top host Bonita Vista 77-53.
The win over the tourney-host Barons demonstrated ECV’s shooting ability – namely, that of senior guard Loqman Sulyman.
The El Cajon Valley High School boys basketball team certainly made an impression during its opening two games in the 43rd annual Baron-Optimist Holiday Classic tournament on Dec. 26. The Braves tipped off tourney play with a 72-55 victory against Gompers and returned later in the day to top host Bonita Vista 77-53.
The win over the tourney-host Barons demonstrated ECV’s shooting ability – namely, that of senior guard Loqman Sulyman.
Sulyman dropped in 13 three-point field goals to total 39 points. The Braves racked up 15 treys in the game to improve to 9-4 on the season.
“Loqman is a shooter, and that’s what I looking for him to do … shoot the ball,” ECV coach Marty Ellis said. “He had 10 (treys) in a game earlier this year, so I know he can shoot.”
The Braves, who braced by nine returners, including 2011-12 leading scorer Andre Nikita, have capitalized on their experience thus far.
Nikita, a senior guard, collected 20 points in the win over Bonita Vista, including a slam- dunk, and also had nine rebounds. He led ECV with 34 points in the victory against Gompers.
Senior forward Derrick Moore led the Braves with 14 rebounds and contributed eight points against the Barons. The Braves totaled 31 rebounds to firmly seize control of that game.
“As far as where we’re at this season compared to last season, we’ve already exceeded what we did last year,” Ellis said. “We only won eight games last year. Now we could lose all our games the rest of the season, knock on wood, but I don’t see that happening.
“I’m trying to see if we can get in the playoffs. Our goal is to win league. That’s something I don’t think that has ever been done at El Cajon Valley. We know who we have to play against. If we continue to do what we’ve done and play our game, we’ll be OK.”
