Victor Valley Spoils Cypress' Bid for Tourney Crown

Cypress squanders early lead in loss to Victor Valley.

• BOX SCORE vs. Victor Valley
• BOX SCORE vs. East L.A. 

Montel Taylor

San Diego, Calif. - The Chargers jumped out to an early lead over Victor Valley in the semi-final matchup at the Holiday Inn Tournament at San Diego Mesa College on Thursday, missed opportunities cost them down the stretch in a 76-60 loss.

Montel Taylor led Cypress College's scoring attack with a team-high 17 points. Andre Winn added 16 points, but Cypress (6-8) wasn't able to beat Victor Valley for a second straight time this year. The Chargers knocked off Victor Valley 91-85 three weeks ago at the Santa Barbara City Tournament.

Cypress came out of the gate firing and claimed an early 12-4 lead. The Charger advantage would eventually dwindle to one point at 21-20, before Victor Valley would go ahead for good in the game.

The Chargers will take on the loser of West Valley and Santa Ana at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow in a battle for third place before heading back home to ring in the New Year.

Orange Empire Conference play gets underway next Wednesday, January 4, when Cypress opens its league schedule with a home game against Riverside Community College at 5:30 p.m.

Chargers Down East L.A. in Tourney Opener

Kourtney Maxim

Andre Winn finished with 19 points and Julius Von Hanzlik added 18 points to help lead Cypress College (6-7) past East L.A. in the opening round of the Holiday Inn Tournament at San Diego Mesa College on Wednesday.

Sophomore Kourtney Maxim added a team-high nine rebounds, while Jacob Nungaray and Chris Maheras each chipped in eight points in the Cypress victory.

As a team, Cypress hit 21 of 51 from the field, including 10 of 24 from beyond the arc and 14 of 21 from the charity stripe. The Chargers also had 25 defensive rebounds (33 total), two blocked shots and eight steals.


Cypress will play their second-round game in the winner's bracket tomorrow.