Golden Valley boys basketball picked up a 43-28 road win over Hart on Friday night, remaining unbeaten in Foothill League play.

The Grizzlies improved to 5-4 overall and 3-0 in league action, while Hart dropped to 4-4 overall and 1-2 in Foothill League play.

Golden Valley came out firing in the opening minute, getting shots up early but struggling to convert while crashing the boards. 

The first points of the game came on a three-pointer by Hart’s Andrew Lange, who finished with a team-high 10 points. It would be the only time Hart held the lead.

Hart’s Andrew Lange tries to get past a Golden Valley defender. Gino Salas | KHTS

Donovan Webb answered with a three-pointer of his own to tie the game at 3-3 with 4:55 left in the first quarter. 

Donovan Webb goes for the game-tying three early in the first quarter.

Golden Valley then pulled ahead when Alex Villejo knocked down a pair of free throws to make it 5-3, providing a spark on the offensive end. The two teams traded baskets the rest of the quarter, with Golden Valley edging ahead 9-8 by the end of the first.

After the opening quarter, the Grizzlies were moving the ball well and playing unselfishly, something assistant coach Travis Divita said was a point of emphasis heading into the game.

“The selflessness was tremendous,” said Golden Valley assistant coach Travis Divita. “That was one of our best games in regard to not turning the ball over.”

Divita added that even though some of the team’s top scorers did not have their best shooting nights, the attention they drew from defenders created opportunities for others. He also credited Hart for playing tough defense and competing until the final buzzer.

Golden Valley began to create separation in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 13-8, then 15-8, and eventually 16-8. 

Villejo again delivered at the free-throw line as the Grizzlies extended the lead to 18-8, then 20-8. Golden Valley went on a 19-point run during the stretch, relying on defense and ball control despite not scoring as easily as in recent games.

Hart ended the run when Henry Hudson converted a three-point play, cutting the deficit to 20-11. Webb later went to the line for three free throws, making two of them, as Golden Valley carried a 22-12 lead into halftime.

The pace slowed significantly in the third quarter. Golden Valley pushed the lead to 26-14 before Hart answered to make it a 10-point game, but offense was hard to come by for both teams. Only eight total points were scored in the quarter, and Golden Valley entered the fourth ahead 28-16.

Golden Valley opened the final period by extending the lead to 31-16. Hart responded with a brief scoring flurry to pull within 10 at 31-21, but the Grizzlies stayed composed and closed the game out down the stretch. Golden Valley pulled away late to secure the 43-28 victory.

Webb led the Grizzlies with 13 points, and his impact extended beyond the box score as he controlled the tempo and managed the game. Divita praised Webb’s versatility and overall presence.

“He’s a very versatile player. He is a point guard at heart and sometimes even to a fault because he’s such a good passer,” said Divita. “But he obviously has the ability to score from all three levels at the rim, is mid-range is fantastic and obviously his three-point shot too. We wanted him to be a little bit more assertive because he is sometimes naturally a passer to a fault.”

Along with Webb, Zach Christoffersen turned in a solid performance, finishing with 12 points.

Golden Valley will not return to Foothill League play until Jan. 6 against Canyon, but the Grizzlies will remain active in the meantime, competing in the San Fernando Valley Tournament and the Classic at Damien.

Despite the break from league play, Divita is confident his team will stay sharp.

“We have a lot of seniors, so maturity is there for sure and these guys love to compete, honestly, they’re a very competitive bunch,” said Divita. “That part is actually not too difficult because they all are all guys that hate losing more than they like winning sometimes.”

Hart will also wait until the new year to resume Foothill League pla,y but will return to the court next Friday when it hosts Shalhevet at 7 p.m.

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