Helix Tops Hilltop, Looks Toward CIF Semifinals in Boys Basketball

With 21 points from junior forward Brian Valadez, Helix Charter High School held visiting Hilltop High of Chula Vista to eight points in the third period and cruised to a 59-51 victory Saturday night in the CIF San Diego section boys basketball quarterfinals. The Highlanders led 16-12 after the first period, 29-19 at halftime and 43-27 after three.  By beating Chuck Vallero’s Lancers, who finished the season 20-9, the Scotties will travel to Hoover in the Division II semifinals at 7 p.m. Wednesday. (The other semifinal is Lincoln vs. Morse.) The Highlanders also got scoring help from brothers Titus and Tommy Young, who both scored 13 points for coach John Singer. The Highlanders shot 9-for-15 in free throws, including Valadez’s 6-for-8.  Titus Young led the team in rebounds with seven.