Fired-Up Grossmont Hands Helix its First League Loss, Ending Scotties' 10-Game Win Streak

About an hour before Friday night’s boys basketball game at Helix Charter High, a Thumper Construction pickup truck entered the parking lot with a dozen Grossmont students standing in back, yelling and waving a Foothillers’ flag.

The truck circled the parking lot as it was greeted by a group of Grossmont students who had obviously anticipated its arrival.

This enthusiasm carried over to the court when the Hillers upset Helix 51-47, handing the Highlanders their first Grossmont Hills League loss and ending a 10-game winning streak.

The game had extra significance in this longtime rivalry for Grossmont, which had lost to its crosstown opponents both in the finals of the Spartan Classic in December and three weeks ago on the Foothillers’ floor.

“We didn’t want to see our rivals go 3-0 against us,” said Robby Nesovic, who scored a team-high 19 points. “It was a big game for us. We knew we could win if we played our game.”

How big was it for Grossmont? Fellow classmates of the Foothillers (17-8, 6-2) stormed the court after the game and had a loud and long celebration.

“We had a huge tailgate at school,” Nesovic said. “Our ASB (Associated Student Body) bought tickets for anybody who wore blue and gold. It was intense. We wanted to win for our fans.”

Helix fans often chanted references to football, which hit home for Grossmont senior point guard DeSean Waters. Not only had he lost to the Highlanders twice in basketball, he was also quarterback of the football team defeated by Helix.

“Their fans gave me energy to do better,” Waters said. “This is the last time I was going to play them. We had to beat them at least once.”

Waters, his team’s second-leading scorer with 11 points, was especially effective down the stretch.

First, he hit two free throws with 20 seconds left to give the Foothillers a 50-47 lead. Then he stole a Helix inbounds pass to seal the win.

Waters said he anticipated the pass going to Titus Young. “I could see it coming the whole time. I was lucky to put my hand out,” he said.

Grossmont got its collective hands up the entire game, holding a commanding 49-24 rebounding edge. Sophomore forward Derek Rustich led the team with 12 rebounds.

“When you play a team three times, no matter if it’s the Little Sisters of the Poor, it’s hard to win three times,” said Helix coach John Singer. “They played like a wounded dog. We did not have as much urgency. We were still only down one (point) with 30 seconds left. In some ways, we showed guts and fight.”

Kenny Keys led Helix with game highs of 20 points and 13 rebounds. Tommie Young recorded 10 points.

The Highlanders lead the league by one game with two to play as they seek to give Singer his 14th league title in 30 years.

“We still control the destiny of league,” Singer said. “This is a loss in league. We can still take care of business by winning league.”

Grossmont Girls Win with 19-8 Late Run

Grossmont 44, Helix 33 – The last time these two teams were supposed to play, it never happened. The Helix bus showed up an hour late at Grossmont and the adults couldn’t decide on how long the Highlanders should get to warm up. It was thus declared a “no contest.”

This game was quite a contest midway through the third quarter when it was tied at 25. But the Foothillers put it away in the final 12 minutes with a 19-8 run.

Teyshonnia Bealer-West scored 15 points to lead Grossmont (19-6, 6-1). Danielle Dahle added 14 points.

Kim Scott scored a team-high 9 points for Helix (11-9, 4-3).

BOYS

Grossmont   10  14  14  13—51

Helix    11  10  12  14—47

Grossmont scoring—Nesovic 19, Waters 11, Michael Wnek 9, Rustich 6, Nick Persinger 4, Ryan Green 2

Helix scoring—Keys 20, Tommie Young 10, Michael Todd 6, Titus Young 5, Brian Valadez 2, Gary Thompson 2, Kene Anigbogu 2

GIRLS

Grossmont    11   7  15  11—44

Helix               6   8  11   8—33

Grossmont scoring—Bealer-West 15, Dahle 14, Carly Lopez 5, Christa Sawyers 5, Chloe Cook 3, Katarina Schweitzer 2

Helix scoring—Kim Scott 9, Kris Scott 8, Jasmine Hunn 7, Chanelle Ward 3, Iesha Murray 2, Sarah Meredith 2, Jackie Smith 2