HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP : Ehlke, Elliott Spark Monte Vista to Comeback Victory Over Valhalla

EL CAJON — The third-ranked Monte Vista Monarchs scored a 53-50 come-from-behind victory Friday night against a tough Valhalla team at the Norsemen/Warhawk boys’ basketball tournament at Valhalla High School.

The Monarchs (4-0) had to overcome a 34-23 halftime deficit. Valhalla fell to 3-1.

Monte Vista went on an 11-4 scoring run in the third quarter to cut Valhalla’s lead to 42-37. Forward Aaron Elliott scored four of his game-high 16 points during the run, which gave the Monarchs momentum entering the fourth quarter.

Monte Vista tightened its defense early in the fourth quarter and ran off 11 unanswered points to take a 48-42 lead.

Senior Matt Ehlke sparked the comeback with five fourth-quarter points. His biggest shot, however, might have been one that he missed. Teammate Elliott grabbed the second of two missed free throws and banked in a layup with 5:00 left.

Valhalla ended its scoring drought when center David Wiley scored a layup with 4:30 left.

Forward Gerric Waller followed with a bank shot to bring Valhalla within, 50-48. But Elliott was fouled and made one free throw to make it a three-point game.

Wiley’s offensive rebound and basket with 1:45 left made it 51-50. But Elliott was fouled again, and this time made both free throws.

In the closing seconds, Elliott added a blocked shot, but Valhalla maintained possession. The Norsemen’s Beau Sager, however, was long on a three-point attempt with seven seconds left, and Monte Vista’s Marty Ellis rebounded and ran out the clock.