GRIFFINS ADD TO STATE LEAD IN WIN

Tyrone Lester Jr. reaches for the ball against Cuyamaca (1/13/2023).  Photo Courtesy of P.J. Panebianco (@vanillagorillaphotography on Instagram).
Tyrone Lester Jr. reaches for the ball against Cuyamaca (1/13/2023). Photo Courtesy of P.J. Panebianco (@vanillagorillaphotography on Instagram).

RANCHO SAN DIEGO – Prior to this season the Griffin men's basketball team had not reached the 100-point marker since December of 2013. They had come close a few times in the 90's. 

So far this season they have reached the century mark five times, including Wednesday night against District Rival Cuyamaca as they defeated the hosting Coyotes 100-65. 

The Griffins (8-16, 3-10 PCAC) lead the California Community College Athletic Association with an average of 20.6 offensive rebounds per game. Overall, the Griffins are third in the CCCAA in rebounds per game with 44.6. Both of those numbers are going up! Against the Coyotes they grabbed 27 offensive and 51 total rebounds. All of this with the tallest active player on the team being 6' 4". 

Freshman Daevin Celaya lead all scorers with 20 points. Sophomore Calvin Payne registered a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Tyrone Lester Jr (15 points) and Spencer Hall (11 points) also joined the duo with double figures. 

The Griffins played with the lead for over 36 minutes in a game they were not really challenged after the first seven minutes. Grossmont dominated all of the peripheral stat categories: points off turnovers (29-10), points in the paint (46-32), second chance points (28-6), fast break points (31-14) and points off the bench (37-18). 

Interesting note about the game is that Cuyamaca (3-22, 1-12 PCAC) actually had a better shot percentage for the game than what the Griffins did, 49-percent vs 41.8-percent. 

Grossmont comes home to the friendly confines of the Griffin Arena on Friday when they host MiraCosta at 5:00 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Women's team taking on San Diego Mesa at 7:00 p.m.