Valley Run Comes to Swift Halt

The Valley College men’s basketball team couldn’t run an offense and, as a result, got run out of the Southern California Regional.

The eighth-seeded Monarchs hung close to top-seeded L.A. City, but lost, 89-77, Saturday night in a third-round game at L.A. City.

How frustrated was Valley Coach Doug Michelson? Early in the second half, he didn’t yell at a referee, but talked to one. “Can you help us with our offense, maybe?” he asked.

Former Notre Dame High standout Gianandrea Marcaccini scored 30 points and Tyreese Basey added 20, but seven other Monarchs totaled only 27 points.

“We got out of rhythm in our offense,” said Michelson, who gave a good reason why. “They’ve got a Division I athlete at every position. They’re a quality team.”

Valley (25-10), which trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half, caught the Cubs, 63-63, with seven minutes to play on a free throw by Carlton Frasier. The Monarchs couldn’t score consistently from close to the basket, but hit five three-pointers--three by Basey--to climb back into the game.

But L.A. City went on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes, Carlos Hinds completing it by breaking the Monarchs’ half-court trap for a layin.

Maybe the Monarchs finally realized they were playing a team that was top-ranked in the state earlier this year.

“We started freezing up,” Marcaccini said.

The Cubs (27-6), who have had 14 players transfer to NCAA Division I schools the past three years, advance to the state championships.