Lions race to DVL boys basketball title

Photo Gallery
Cathedral City v. Palm Springs Basketball
A Palm Springs High School defender (left) and Cathedral City High School's Brian Davis (center) and Anthony Gilchrist (right) reach for the ball during their game on Thursday at Cathedral City High School. The Lions won 78-58, winning the DVL title.

Jennifer Soliz, The Desert Sun

A Palm Springs High School defender (left) and Cathedral City High School's Brian Davis (center) and Anthony Gilchrist (right) reach for the ball during their game on Thursday at Cathedral City High School. The Lions won 78-58, winning the DVL title.

Thomas B. Fassnacht
Special to The Desert Sun
February 9, 2007

CATHEDRAL CITY - The intensity was off the charts at the Cathedral City high school gymnasium. The standing-room-only crowd arrived early to watch the Lions boys basketball team take on the visiting Palm Springs Indians.

With the DVL title on the line, Cathedral City rolled to a 78-58 victory for its 14th consecutive victory, and 21st win in a row over their crosstown rival.

For the Indians, a victory over Cathedral City would have been a fitting ending to what has been a breakthrough season under third year head coach Dennis Zink. The Indians came out swinging, and connected early.

Senior guard Andre Helton drained two early 3-point baskets to jump start an early 7-2 Palm Springs run. The run seemed to awaken Cathedral City, and the Lions responded.

Anthony Gilchrist put on a scoring clinic in the first quarter. The junior took over the game, scoring almost at will. With 4:16 to play in the first, Cathedral City opened their first double digit advantage of the game, 23-13, on Gilchrist's 3-point field goal from deep in the corner. The versatile guard poured in 29 points, with seven rebounds, and six steals.

"We had been talking about winning DVL from the beginning of the year," said Gilchrist. "Tonight, it was all right there. I knew if I came out and scored, my teammates would step up and we would bring home the banner."

Junior forward Bear Custer was remarkably efficient.

The left-handed post player added 20 points, was a perfect 8 of 8 from the free throw line, and pulled down 12 rebounds. Custer said the crowd played a big factor in his performance.

"The fans were amazing, they just picked us up tonight. It was impossible to get tired, there was no way we were going to lose."

 

Helping Custer on the inside was forward Brian Davis.

Davis grabbed 10 boards, and added six points.

Cathedral City head coach Rob Hanmer, was impressed with the concentration his team showed, with all the possible distractions at hand.

"I'm most proud of the fact that on senior night, a night where we honored past champions, playing our rival in front of a standing room crowd, we played focused basketball and put up 50 first-half points." he said.

The Lions led 50-38 at the half.

Guard Andre Helton led the Indians with 21 points, connecting on 7 of 8 free throw attempts. The Indians leading scorer, Michael Brown, never found an offensive rhythm and scored a quiet 10 points.

The Lions turned up the defense after the half, and held the Indians to 20 second half points. Guard Nick Graves was the Lions' third scorer in double figures with 12 points. Graves added eight steals.

The CIF division III-A playoffs are next for both teams.