Grossmont 2-A League : Valhalla to Get Some Competition From Grossmont for Title

For the past two seasons, Valhalla has remained undefeated in the Grossmont 2-A League en route to back-to-back titles.

And once again, Valhalla is clearly the favorite.

However, this year the Norsemen could feel some heat from Grossmont, under first-year Coach Dave Hollman.

Returning talent and a new philosophy might be just what the Foothillers need to be viable contender for the league title.

“It might be rookie coach optimism,” Hollman said, “but I feel we have too much talent to come in anywhere lower than second.”

But standing in the Foothillers’ way are Valhalla seniors Mark Dillon, a 5-11 guard, and Mike Nalu, a 6-3 forward. The two returning starters are the nucleus of Valhalla’s offense, Dillon averaging 24 points a game and Nalu averaging 19 points.

There is a dropoff between the top two teams and the rest of the pack. El Cajon Valley is 3-9, Santana is 3-8 and West Hills is 1-9.

THE RACE

Top contenders: Valhalla (20-9 in 1989-90), Grossmont (13-10).

Surprise potential: El Cajon Valley.

Hoping for improvement: West Hills (2-21), Santana (8-12).

Game of the year: Valhalla at Grossmont Jan. 25. The Norsemen are the favorites but the Foothillers are right on their heels.

THE PLAYERS

The men: Valhalla has a double dose of powerful outside shooting with Dillon and Nalu.

Manny Silva said before the end of the season that Nalu will probably break the San Diego Section career record for three-pointers and Dillon should break the Section record for single-season three-point baskets.

Dillon has made 84 three-pointers so far, 10 short of Tony Clark’s record of 94 he made last season while at Christian.

Nalu has made 49 three-pointers so far this season.

Others to watch: Valhalla’s 6-2 senior Julian Boner has come up from the junior varsity to replace senior David Earner at center.

Grossmont’s Mike Kingsley, a transfer from Boston, is “doing fantastic” and fitting into the team well, according to Hollman. The 5-8 sophomore guard is averaging 13 points a game.

THE INTANGIBLES

East county veteran: Dave Hollman may be new to his position as Grossmont coach, replacing Frank Foggiano, but not new to the Grossmont League.

Hollman, who graduated from El Capitan in 1975, has been playing basketball in Grossmont’s gym for 15 years.

He has known Foggiano for about 20 years, starting with playing in the La Mesa recreation leagues, and said the former coach has helped him make the transition easy.

How bad? Is it just talk or is Santana really that bad? League coaches predict Santana could surprise some teams but Coach John Bobof said his Sultans will need to play more consistently before that happens.

“We’re young, inexperienced, small and slow,” Bobof said. “We’re playing up and down. We’re not very consistent. Sometimes we play real well. Most of the time we don’t.”

Still on uphill climb: Unlike the West Hills football team, which went undefeated in league play and advanced to the section 2-A quarterfinals in its second year at the varsity level, the Wolf Pack basketball team has a long way to go.

First-year Coach Brian Ross has a new staff and a few anticipated starters either transfered or decided not to return.