Hoover Bounces Helix from CIF Basketball Playoffs

Helix Charter High School was La Mesa’s last hope for a winter-sports championship when it traveled to Hoover High School on Wednesday night.  The Scotties wanted a shot at a Division II title in boys basketball in the CIF San Diego section.

But just as in the fall—when its football team fell to Oceanside in the semifinals—the Highlanders failed to advance to the finals, losing to the Cardinals 65-50.

Angelo Chol, a 6-foot-9 senior forward, scored 22 points—making 11 of 13 free throws—in leading Hoover amid a noisy crowd.  Last month the native of Sudan announced he would play next year for the University of Arizona. The Cardinals led at the first period 17-12 and at halftime 26-20. In the second half, the home team pulled further away, outscoring the Scotties 39-30.

Brian Valadez led Helix with 16 points, and was backed up by Tommie Young (14 points, including 6-for-6 at the free throw line) and Kenny Keys (12 points, 5-for-6 in free throws). Coach John Singer’s team ended the season with a record of 22-7, including the Grossmont Hills League title.

Playing in a gym built in 1930, Hoover (26-6), coached by Ollie Goulston, plays San Diego rival Lincoln High School for the CIF Division II crown at 8 p.m. Friday at the University of San Diego’s Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Despite seeing the season end and losing for only the third time in their final 21 games, Singer had nothing but praise for his Highlanders.

“Our kids played their butts off,” he said. “They never quit in this game or any game this season. It’s one of the most fun groups I’ve coached in my 30 years.”

Helix zipped out to an early lead at Hoover as Keys hit a three-pointer from the corner and Tommie Young followed with a short jumper, making it 5-0 a minute into the game.

After that, Hoover countered with a 9-0 run and was never headed.

A pair of free throws by Young brought the Highlanders to within 23-20 before the Cardinals’  Chol ended the opening half with a three-pointer at the buzzer, staking Hoover to a six-point advantage.

“I think we maximized our effort about as much as we can,” Singer said. “Hoover has a little better firepower, but our kids battled them the whole way. I’m very proud of my guys.”

Helix had no answer for Chol. The Cardinals’ agile big man, the all-time national record holder for blocked shots, swatted away five Helix field goal attempts and altered countless other shots. He also finished with 23 points, 15 rebounds and three steals.

Hoover was holding a 32-27 edge when Chol picked up his fourth foul midway through the third quarter. The smaller Highlanders were unable to challenge for the lead even without the big man on the floor the final four minutes of the period.

Hoover, which takes on defending state champion Lincoln in Friday’s Division II final, closed the third period with a 14-7 scoring burst to open up a 46-34 advantage.

Brian Valadez scored 13 of his team-best 16 points in the second half for the Highlanders. Tommie Young totaled 14 points, but just four over the last two quarters.

Helix         12        8        14       1 6    —  50

Hoover     17        9       20        19    —  65

Helix scoring: Brian Valadez 16, Tommie Young 14, Kenny Keys 12, Johnny Singer 3, Titus Young 2, Michael Todd 2, Kevin Williams 1.

Hoover scoring: Chol 23, Booker 12, Davis 11, Jones 10, Holiday 7, Cain 2.  

EastCountySports.com contributed to this report.