Friday at The Holiday Classic in San Diego saw our beloved Dons (5-7, 469th in CA) up against Vista (9-7, 288th).  Lots of rumors out there, but I was hearing Vegas lines on this game for the underdog Dons were somewhere in the +5 neighborhood.

It was a back and forth first quarter with Brady Quinn coming off the bench with 7 huge points buoying the Dons to a 15-14 lead.  The lead got up to 7 in the second before Vista scrapped their way back cutting the deficit to two 28-26 at the half.  Brady had 7 points , Maddox Malm had 6 and Cameron Hood had 5.

Vista briefly took the lead back in the third before the Dons went on a run sparked by a beautiful Ian Salmon tip in.  Brady scored on a nice drive and Gavin Dodge splashed a three plus both boys converted on two free throws and we were back up 39-35 at the end of the third.

Maddox found a cutting Liam Krackeler to put us up 6 early in the fourth but Vista answered with two consecutive buckets and it was 41-40 – we had another nailbiter in the works with 5 minutes to go.  Vista applied full court pressure and Jordan Brown found a streaking Ian for two. The Dons then turned up the pressure themselves forcing a turnover that led to an Ian to Gavin three pointer 46-40, Dons!  Vista called TO as the boys were fired up!  On the next play, Liam jumped the passing lane deflecting the ball into the backcourt.  As the Vista player leisurely strolled to pick it up, Jordan came flying out nowhere diving for the loose ball and sliding from behind the three point line all the way down to the block extended that sent a clear message: ” WE WANT IT MORE”!

Gavin dished to Ian on a fastbreak and Jordan whipped a pass underneath to Gavin, just like that 50-40 Dons!  Vista wouldn’t quit and it was 52-46 when Gavin found Joe Reidenbach for a clutch three to put us back up 9.  But Vista got it down to 3 twice as #1 had 13 points in the period and the Dons were trying to  inbound the ball with seconds left.  Maddox had nothing easy open and threw a long, arching chest pass to Brady who made a remarkable play on the ball, shielding the larger defender and drawing the foul where he went to the line and secured the win.  59-54 final as Dons win every quarter.

Team stats are below but some interesting stuff…Vista 1/15 from three and 17/23 from the line.  The Dons hit the magical 12 offensive rebound target with 4 coming from Maddox and 3 from Ian.  No one was tracking diving for loose balls but we definitely beat them handily in that department. 

Brady led the way in his best game since returning from injury that kept him out for 6 games, scoring 13 points on 4/8 shooting, 4/4 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and only 1 turnover in 20 minutes.  Ian had 12 points on 6/10 with 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 21 minutes.  Gavin had 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 22 minutes.  Maddox had 8 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks in 23 minutes.

Dons will battle a big, tough San Juan Hills squad today in the Consolation Championship that is ranked 150th in CA.  After losing to Monte Vista by 1 in the opener, San Juan has prevailed over Otay Ranch 72-48 and Sage Hill 68-58.  Game will be broadcast live on BallerTV.

Vista Recap and Highlights: Click Here

Photos by Nicole!