Santa Monica High held onto undisputed possession of first place in the well-balanced Ocean League boys’ basketball race last week with two victories and also won a non-league game.
Samohi traveled to Hawthorne on Wednesday, January 23 and won, 54-43. Back home two nights later, Samohi defeated Morningside, 50-43, as senior Ed Willis scored 17 points. Completing the week, Samohi traveled to Carlsbad High on Saturday and defeated St. Augustine High of San Diego, 42-31.
Samohi has a 5-1 league record and is one game ahead of a couple of teams going into road games this week – Wednesday, January 30 against Inglewood and Friday, February 1 against Beverly Hills, which had the most returning players of any league team this season but is 0-6, having lost several close games.
“There are only four games left in the regular season, so we have to keep winning to protect our lead,” said coach James Hecht.
Among the players Hecht praised was senior Willie Goetz, who has proven to be one of the Vikings’ best passers.
“He has contributed a lot to our success aside from scoring,” said Hecht.
Samohi held Morningside to one field goal in the first half as the Vikings took a 23-14 lead.
On the way to the St. Augustine game Hecht told the team everyone would get playing time, taking advantage of the non-league contest.
Everyone did get in and the Vikings won as part of an all-day festival matching five Los Angeles area teams against San Diego area opponents.
