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Legionnaires split first four basketball games

The first four Bonsall High School basketball games of the 2020-21 season left the Legionnaires with a 2-2 record.

Bonsall began the season March 30 at home against Cornerstone Christian of Wildomar and obtained a 71-61 victory over the Crusaders. The April 8 game at Rock Academy in San Diego ended as a 44-41 Bonsall win. Bayfront Charter traveled to Bonsall for an April 13 contest and returned home with a 69-63 triumph. Bonsall hosted Coastal Academy in an April 15 game which ended with the Stingrays on the preferred end of the 55-39 score.

This season Bonsall has nine players. Six of those were on the 2019-20 Legionnaires team. Billy Rahman is the only senior on the 2020-21 team, and three of Bonsall's current players are freshmen.

Bonsall leveraged a 41-29 halftime lead over Cornerstone Christian into the victory. "We shot the ball very well," said Bonsall Coach Chuck Colletti. "Our defense played real well, and it was an all-around team effort."

Rahman led the team with 24 points, 11 assists, and six steals against the Crusaders. An additional 23 points were scored by junior Nate Valera. The leading rebounder, junior Emil Watkins, grabbed 13 balls off the boards.

The game at Rock Academy had a 20-20 halftime score. "That was a hard-fought game," Colletti said. "They battled us to the end."

Rahman had 17 points, 10 rebounds, five steals, and two assists against the Warriors. Watkins contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Bayfront Charter was the official home team April 13, but the Sharks could not obtain a gymnasium so the game was played in Bonsall. "That was a back and forth game," Colletti said.

Bonsall held a 35-34 halftime lead, but the third quarter ended with the Sharks holding a 52-47 advantage. "The third quarter was the key to the game," Colletti said.

Rahman scored 26 points against the Sharks; Valera provided 13 points; junior Elijah Watkins had 12 points and eight rebounds, and sophomore Isaac Alcantar led the team with four steals and with three assists.

"That was a great game," Colletti said. "Both teams played very well."

The Legionnaires made 29% of their shots against Coastal Academy. "We did not shoot the ball very well," Colletti said. "Once in a while you have a bad night."

Emil Watkins led the team with 14 points and shared the team lead with seven rebounds. Seven rebounds were also obtained by freshman Nathan Weinbrenner, who also had two assists. Rahman had 12 points, two assists, and two steals.

The 2019-20 seniors included Hunter Robillard, who has become Colletti's assistant coach.

Author Bio

Joe Naiman, Writer

Joe Naiman has been writing for the Village News since 2001

 

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