Avocado Lead Is at Stake Tonight

Throughout this season, top-ranked Poway High School has grabbed most of the boys basketball headlines in North County.

In Oceanside, however, there are two Avocado League teams that are hoping to poke their heads into the limelight. Oceanside and El Camino, will meet at 7 tonight at El Camino in a battle for first place.

The 10th-ranked Pirates are 13-5 overall and 7-1 in the Avocado League. The host Wildcats, ranked seventh, are 15-2 overall and also 7-1 in league.

“Any time we play Oceanside, it’s going to be a big game whether or not it’s for the lead,” El Camino Coach Ray Johnson said. “This game is for the city bragging rights.”

So far, the Wildcats have earned the rights to boast. El Camino defeated the defending 2-A champions, 44-39, in the consolation final of the Lt. James Mitchell Tournament at San Dieguito. The Wildcats also won when the teams met for the first time in league play at Oceanside, 60-55.

“The difference in those games was our overall balance,” Johnson said. “Everyone contributed a little bit. We’ll need that same kind of effort to win again.”

Whereas, the Wildcats will depend on a team effort, Oceanside figures to look to its leading scorer, Tim Prim, to provide much of the offense.

“If we can contain Prim, we’ll be in good shape,” Johnson said. “He’s their key player.”

Johnson said he’ll go mostly with his starting unit of Ken Crawford, Randy Hill, Kevin Taylor, Nate Reed and Steve Heard.

“Our entire starting five has been playing pretty well,” Johnson said. “We’ll just hope for a good team effort from everybody.”

THE BIG GAME

Teams: Oceanside vs. El Camino

Where: El Camino High, 7 p.m.

Time: 7 p.m.

Records, Rankings: Oceanside (13-5 overall, 7-1 in the Avocado League) is ranked 10th in the Times’ Top 10. El Camino (15-2 overall, 7-1 in the Avocado League) is ranked seventh.

Players to Watch: Oceanside: Tim Prim (5-10, Sr., G); Steve Gutierrez (6-1, Sr., G); Henry Quintero (6-6, Sr., C). El Camino: Nate Reed (6-6, Jr., C); Kevin Taylor (6-1, Jr., G); Steve Heard (6-3, Jr., F).