Lady Lancers bound out to 8-0 hoops start

B.J. Hunt ranks second all-time in the boys discus throw in Hilltop High School track and field history with a mark of 143-9 (set in 2003 as a junior), trailing only brother Will Hunt’s mark of 165-9 (set in 1999, also as a junior).

The younger Hunt brother is the new head coach of Hilltop’s girls basketball team and his return to his ama mater has been a rewarding one so far with the Lady Lancers zooming out to an undefeated 8-0 start.

“We have seven seniors, we’re veterans,” B.J. Hunt said. “We play great as a team. We’re really athletic and fast. We play an up-tempo game and other teams have had trouble keeping up with us.”

Hilltop hosted Valhalla in a non-league game on Dec. 9. The Lady Lancers got up early and stretched the scoreboard to nearly triple by halftime, 33-13, before setting for a 55-31 non-league victory.

Senior Diana Herrera keyed the hosts with 26 points in the non-league win while senior Kayli Salgado had 13 points. Senior Serina Williams contributed two steals and three blocks while Salgado, the team’s scoring leader, tacked on five rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Hilltop defeated the Rock Academy, 63-27, the next night as Salgado poured in 24 points while freshman Diana Herrera (11 points) and senior Alizeah Zapata (10 points) each scored in double figures. The Lady Lancers led 21-6 at the end of the opening quarter.

Herrera, Salgado and Williams each had seven rebounds. Zapata and Herrera each logged five assists while Herrera had five steals.

Salgado, Zapata and Herrera are the team’s top three watchable players thus far into the season.

Hilltop, as the No. 12 seed, lost in the opening round of the Division IV section playoffs last season. The Lady Lancers are playing a preseason schedule heavy with Division IV opponents this season and doing well.

“As long as we are playing aggressive, not many teams can hang with us,” Hunt said.

Hilltop is the early Division IV leader with its 8-0 record, followed in the rankings by Escondido Adventist Academy (6-1). Pt. Loma (7-4), Kearny (4-2) and Holtville (5-2).

La Jolla Country Day (8-1) tops the section rankings, followed by No. 2 Mater Dei Catholic (10-0), No. 3 Francis Parker (5-3), No. 4 La Costa Canyon (7-1), No. 5 Cathedral Catholic (5-2), No. 6 Patrick Henry (13-0), No. 7 Rancho Bernardo (10-3), No. 8 Bishop’s (8-2), No. 9 San Marcos (4-1) and No. 10 Grossmont (5-2).

Hilltop ranked 16th overall, followed by Montgomery (5-2) at 18th and Otay Ranch (7-2) at 19th.

San Diego Section Rankings

(Through Dec. 16)

Girls Basketball

1. La Jolla Country Day 8-1

2.Mater Dei Catholic 10-0

3. Francis Parker 5-3

4. La Costa Canyon 7-1

5. Cathedral Catholic 5-2

6. Patrick Henry 13-0

7. Rancho Bernardo 10-3

8. Bishop’s 8-2

9.San Marcos 4-1

10. Grossmont 5-2

11. Our Lady of Peace 9-1

12. Canyon Hills 8-0

13. Mission Hills 2-3

14. Rancho Buena Vista 6-1

15. Christian 5-1

16. Hilltop 8-0

17. Escondido 6-2

18. Montgomery 5-2

19. Otay Ranch 7-2

20. San Diego 7-5

21. El Capitan 7-3

22. Morse 7-3

23. Helix 3-3

24. Escondido Adventist 6-1

25. Westview 3-5