HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP : Barons, Red Devils Going in Opposite Directions

Blow the dust off those archives.

That’s almost how long you have to go back to trace the last time a Sweetwater boys’ basketball team lost four consecutive games.

After Bonita Vista smothered Sweetwater, 78-56, in a Metro Conference game in National City Wednesday night, Red Devil Coach David Ybarra scratched his chin and took a moment to think.

“Hum,” he said. “Probably at least 18 years. “I know it hasn’t happened in the seven years I’ve been here, and I don’t think it happened when (former coach Gary) Zarecky was here.”

Then make it at least 20 years, as Zarecky’s varsity tenure at Sweetwater extended from 1972-85.

“That’s a hell of a streak,” Ybarra said. “But I’ve had some very successful years here, I guess it’s just my turn. . . .”

Guess it’s Bonita Vista’s turn as well. It’s been 11 years since the Barons won a league title, and even then they had to share it with none other than Sweetwater (9-15, 7-5). Bonita Vista Coach Jim Conlin thinks it’s been 15 years since the Barons have won it outright.

Since Colin took over the program three years ago, his teams have finished in third place twice. The Barons (15-8, 10-1) now lead second-place Chula Vista by a game with three games remaining--the Spartans play two--and they are consistently improving, but Conlin would still like to see his team a bit more consistent.

“We’re just looking for the Metro championship,” Conlin said. “Tonight we did some things we wanted to, but we’re not consistent enough. I think we’re playing at between 60 to 70% of our potential.”

Lots of math majors in that Bonita Vista bunch. Gerald Rhoden, the Barons’ leading scorer with 24 points, said they were playing at about 60 to 65% potential.

“We’re improving, but we still can do better,” said Rhoden, one of several Bonita Vista players who Conlin didn’t hesitate to substitute for. “If we progress as we should, we’ll do better in playoffs.”

Bonita Vista’s up-tempo game kept the screws on Sweetwater all night. The Red Devils didn’t lead once, and the Barons extended its 18-7 first-quarter lead to 43-20 at half.

Sweetwater, led by Aaron Chaney’s three baskets from behind the three-point arc, surged in the fourth quarter, but by then, the Barons were playing a good portion of their bench.

Sweetwater was without its top scorer, Guillermo Sanchez, who hurt his back Monday night against Castle Park, and Brandon Tenant, who Ybarra said has fought sickness on and off all season. Both are seniors.

“When you lose two starters like that, one who scores 15-18 points a game for you and the other who provides leadership, it takes its toll.”