Down nine points in the second quarter, defending Bay Valley Athletic League champion Heritage needed a spark against Deer Valley in the second week of league play. They got just that with a huge second quarter from junior guard Ezra Manjon and a terrific performance off the bench from Carson Borrelli, propelling the Patriots past Deer Valley, 74-61.
Manjon repeatedly got to the free throw line in the second quarter, scoring eight of his 19 points during the period. Borrelli then scored all 10 of his points in the second half as Heritage (16-2, 2-0) overcame a 35-31 halftime deficit, pulling away for the win.
"Nothing is easy in this league," said Heritage coach Pat Cruickshank. "Carson coming off the bench for us was huge. Every night in the BVAL is going to be a barn burner. Deer Valley will win some games this year."
Jonathan Ned was virtually the only offense for the Patriots in the first quarter, as he scored 13 of his game-high 25 points, accounting for all but two of Heritage's points in the first eight minutes. Meanwhile, Pera Vixon and Duben Boardman heated up early in the second quarter for Deer Valley (9-8, 0-2), as the Wolverines began to create some separation. Boardman scored 11 of his 17 points in the first half, while Vixon scored eight of his 15 points in the second quarter.
The Patriots rallied, however, and took the lead for good in the third quarter, despite Jacob Long's best efforts to keep Deer Valley in the game. Long scored seven of his 17 points in the third quarter, but was shut out in the fourth.
"When we executed tonight, it was beautiful," Cruickshank added. "But when we tried to be heroes, it was awful. Like I said, nothing is going to be easy."
Heritage gets back to action at home on Tuesday night, hosting rival Liberty. Deer Valley also has a cross-town rivalry game on Tuesday, heading to Antioch.
Around the BVAL
Pittsburg (8-10, 1-1) built a nine-point lead by halftime, and continued to play well in the second half, downing Liberty, 62-50. Junior Alfred Njunge was huge for the Pirates, leading the way with 27 points, while 6-foot-4 junior forward Simeon Richardson added nine points, six of them in the second half. Liberty (12-5, 0-2) was led by senior post Ben Smith, who scored 21 points.
Liberty's girls got 17 points from sophomore Kennedy Fountain, as the Lions (10-8, 2-0) downed Pittsburg, 59-41. Trudi Hartman added 12 points in the victory. Pittsburg (10-7, 0-2) was led by sophomore Brianni Travalini, who scored 15 points.
The Heritage girls led by over 40 points before cruising to the 70-33 victory over Deer Valley. The Patriots face Miramonte on Saturday at Campolindo, as part of the Lamorinda Classic.
