High School Roundup : Pressler Scores 26 to Spark Helix Past Granite Hills

Helix figured to need a big season from center John Pressler if the Highlanders were to challenge for the Grossmont League 3-A title. So far, Pressler hasn’t disappointed.

Pressler, a 6-foot 10-inch center, scored 26 points to lead Helix to a 65-48 victory over host Granite Hills Tuesday. Helix improved to 3-0 in the division and 8-4 overall while Granite Hills dropped to 1-1 and 8-5.

Granite Hills outscored Helix, 11-8, in the first quarter. The Highlanders, however, rallied to outscore Granite Hills, 18-9, in the second quarter and never trailed again.

Todd McTrusty scored 16 and Rich Haar added 10 for Helix. Mark Phillips led Granite Hills with 11 points.

In other Grossmont League 3-A games:

Monte Vista 76, El Capitan 59--Jeff Polinksy scored 23 points and added 9 assists to lead Monte Vista at El Capitan. Joe McNaull had 24 points and 10 rebounds and Bren Jacobsen added 16 points and 11 rebounds for Monte Vista (2-0, 6-3). Jeremy McGarity scored 19 points to lead El Capitan (0-3, 6-8).

Grossmont League 2-A

Santana 60, Grossmont 39--Santana took advantage of a cold-shooting Grossmont team, as the Foothillers scored just 12 points by halftime and scored more points in the fourth quarter (20) than they did the previous three quarters (19). Matt Panebianco scored 22 points and Dean Thrall and Paul Newark added 9 apiece to lead Santana (2-0, 8-2). Todd Jaeger scored 17 to lead Grossmont (1-1, 3-9).

Valhalla 96, El Cajon Valley 51--El Cajon Valley took a surprising 20-17 lead after the first quarter, but Valhalla outscored the Braves, 25-4, in the second period at El Cajon Valley (0-3, 2-7). Tony Clark scored 38 points and Rafid Kiti added 25 to lead Valhalla (1-0, 8-5).

Nonleague

Kearny 52, Patrick Henry 42--Andre White scored 25 points to lead Kearny. Patrick Henry led, 21-20, at the half, but Kearny (8-5) took the lead in the third quarter and then slowed down the tempo.

Girls’ Basketball

Grossmont League 3-A

Helix 47, Granite Hills 46--Susan Schroeder hit the front end of a 1-and-1 with 4 seconds remaining to give Helix the victory at home. Julie O’Neil scored 20 points to lead Helix (2-1, 3-6).

Grossmont League 2-A

El Capitan 36, Monte Vista 22--El Capitan (3-0, 11-1) outscored Monte Vista, 16-5, in the third quarter and got 12 points from Samantha Weiser for the victory at home.

Palomar League

Poway 66, Orange Glen 33--Poway broke open a close game at the half, using its pressure defense to outscore Orange Glen, 38-9, in the second half. Dawn Gigstad and Laura Nugent had 14 points apiece for Poway (1-0, 9-6).

Avocado League

Rancho Buena Vista 45, Carlsbad 39--Shawna Edge scored 19 points and added 21 rebounds to lead Rancho Buena Vista at home.

Nonleague

Serra 62, Crawford 34--Pam Ross scored 24 points as Serra (2-9) held Crawford (3-7) to 11 points in the second half.