High School Basketball Playoffs : Marian Wins by 62 in Division V Opener

Marian defeated Tri-City Christian, 88-26, in the first round of the San Diego Section Division V boys’ basketball playoffs Tuesday at Marian High School.

Marian came out strong to take a 27-3 first-quarter lead. The Crusaders shot 70% from the field to build the advantage to 50-10 by halftime.

Jerry Conlin scored 14 points and Manny Padilla added 13 for Marian.

Marian, which played in the 3-A Metro Conference during the regular season, is now 6-15. Tri-City Christian, of the 1-A Citrus League, played both a varsity and junior varsity schedule.

“They were so young. They are almost all sophomores,” said Marian Coach Bob Swisher.

He added, “Our guys are ready to prove that we’re better than 5-15 when we get into that level of competition (Division V). Playing in the Metro Conference will definitely give us a decided advantage.”

In other boys’ Division V games:

La Jolla Country Day 96, Borrego Springs 51--La Jolla Country Day (16-9) had six scorers in double figures in its victory over Borrego Springs (6-16).

Eric Vandenberg scored 17 points and Josh Tepper had 13 points (including three three-pointers) and 11 assists to lead LJCD. Mike Campbell added 12 points and Damien Campbell, Larry Chang and Brian Johnson 10 each.

Division I first round

San Dieguito 74, Bonita Vista 52--Matt de La Pena made six three-pointers and led San Dieguito (8-17) with 34 points. He was six for 10 from the three-point line and 11 for 16 from the field. Chris Houk had 10 rebounds and Brian Malzwicz had nine. Bonita Vista finished 5-18.

Girls

Division I first round

San Diego 44, Sweetwater 43--Melanie Covey had a three-pointer at the buzzer to defeat Sweetwater at San Diego. Covey’s shot gave her a game-high 15 points. Chrissy Smith added 14 points, including two three-pointers, for San Diego (12-12). Nana Magana had 11 and Katrina Baca 10 for Sweetwater (5-15).

Montgomery 38, Granite Hills 31--Granite Hills tied the game, 25-25, but Montgomery scored the next six points to pull away. Montgomery (8-13) shot nine for 10 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter and 18 for 24 overall. Shelly Sampson scored eight points for Granite Hills (7-16).

The Hoover girls’ team forfeited its Division II playoff game at Fallbrook, which was supposed to have been played Monday.

Hoover thought the game was at 7:30 p.m., when the Fallbrook boys were playing host to San Marcos. The Hoover-Fallbrook game was scheduled for 5:30.

San Diego Section Commissioner Kendall Webb said Hoover declined an invitation to make up the game Tuesday night.

Also, in the Division V girls’ playoffs, Victory Christian has withdrawn. Marian earned a forfeit victory and advanced to the quarterfinals.