KNIGHTS REBOUND FROM LOSS WITH WIN OVER GRIZZLIES

Del Norte poked the Knights in the eye Wednesday.

Mission Hills paid for San Marcos’ pain Friday.

After a double-digit loss to Del Norte, No. 2-ranked San Marcos came out laser-focused Friday night, racing to a 14point, first-quarter lead and went on to beat crosstown-rival and No.4 Mission Hills 60-51 in a key Palomar League game at San Marcos.

The loss drops Mission Hills to 14-6 overall, 3-1 in league.

San Marcos 60, Mission Hills 51

San Marcos is 13-4, 3-1 in league. Del Norte also has only one league loss.

“We need that,” said San Marcos coach Dante Carey. “Mission is tough, super-well coached. But the kids came through tonight.”

After shooting 4 of 23 beyond the 3-point arc against Del Norte, the Knights made 10 3-pointers Friday — four by Evan Record, three by Lucas Gordon.

Gordon and Record each finished with 16 points. Devon

Arlington added 14 points.

Arlington, Gordon and Max McCall each had seven rebounds for the Knights.

“I was playing Lucas out of position at the 5,” Carey said of the 6-foot-7 Gordon. “He’s much more comfortable at the 4. He’s more active. He can pick and pop from the four.”

Gordon hit a big firstquarter 3-pointer as San Marcos went on a 14-0 run to lead 17-3 early. Mission Hills turned the ball over just 12 times in the game, but had seven turnovers in the first quarter.

San Marcos had 11 turnovers.

Mission Hills cut it to seven in the second quarter and five midway through the third. But a 12-0 San Marcos run pushed the lead back to 15 and the Grizzlies never got closer than eight.

“It was good for me to play the five,” Gordon said. “I need to learn the position. But I’m definitely more comfortable at the four. I have more energy playing there, play better defense.

“It was really Important to play well tonight, and we came out swinging.”

Justin White led Mission Hills with 14 points and had seven rebounds. Jayden White had 10 points and seven rebounds, while Jack Jillson added 10 points for the Grizzlies.

San Marcos has now beaten Mission Hills nine straight times.

In the girls game: Mission Hills 73, San Marcos

24: Mission Hills (11-6, 4-0) opened the game on a 10-0 run. After a San Marcos (10-10, 0-4) basket, the Grizzlies went on a 24-0 run and led 34-2.

Jessa Grant led all scorers with 20 points, while Genessa Ong added 12 and Kayara Walter and Kenna Ka added 10 each.

Mission Hills made 13 3point shots.