Jazz Gardner #32 of Los Altos shoots against Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Caleb Santos #25 of Walnut drives to the basket against Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Ozzy Cuellar #1 of Los Altos drives to the basket against Isa Al juraishi #5 of Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Ryan Victorio #2 of Walnut drives to the basket against Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dion Porter #24 of Los Altos drives two the basket against Joby Barnes #24 of Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Ozzy Cuellar #1 of Los Altos drives to the basket against Isa Al juraishi #5 of Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Justin Ibrahim #21 of Walnut drives to the basket against Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Justin Ibrahim #21 of Walnut drives to the basket against Josh Tineo #4 of Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jazz Gardner #32 of Los Altos shoots against Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Head coach Jeff Lucas of Los Altos reacts against Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Ryan Victorio #2 of Walnut drives to the basket against Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dion Porter #24 of Los Altos fights for the rebound against Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Aibigho Ujadughele #0 of Los Altos drives to the basket against Isa Al juraishi #5 of Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Ryan Win #13 of Walnut drives to the basket against Jazz Gardner #32 of Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Caleb Santos #25 of Walnut drives to the basket against Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Christian Cavanias #34 of Los Altos drives to the basket against Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Head coach Joe Khouzam of Walnut talks to head coach Jeff Lucas of Los Altos prior to a prep basketball game between the Walnut and the Los Altos at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Caleb Santos #25 of Walnut fights for the rebound against Christian Cavanias #34 of Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Head coach Joe Khouzam of Walnut reacts against Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Jazz Gardner #32 of Los Altos shoots against Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Malik Khouzam #1 of Walnut drives to the basket against Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Christian Viramontes #23 of Walnut drives to the basket against Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Malik Khouzam #1 of Walnut drives to the basket against Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Christian Cavanias #34 of Los Altos drives to the basket against Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Christian Cavanias #34 of Los Altos drives to the basket against Walnut in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Justin Ibrahim #21 of Walnut shoots against Los Altos in the first half of a prep basketball game at Walnut High School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
WALNUT >> Los Altos and Walnut renewed its annual boys basketball rivalry Wednesday. It’s one that will be talked about for years to come.
Overcoming a 10-point deficit, Los Altos defeated host Walnut 66-63 in overtime in a crucial Hacienda League game. The win gave the Conquerors a one-game lead in the league standings.
“We have a lot of guys that are second- and third-year varsity players, and I think their experience was key in the victory tonight.” Los Altos coach Jeff Lucas said. “It’s always tough to come into this place. (Walnut) played us really tough like they always do.”
Dion Porter, who scored 14 points along with five rebounds, connected on two baskets in the overtime period that helped give the Conquerors a 65-61 lead.
“This was his first game in 15 days, and you could tell that he was not in an offensive rhythm,” Lucas said. “He’s one of those players that has a lot of experience in games like this and it came in handy.”
Jazz Gardner, considered one of the top freshmen in Southern California, played a big role for Los Altos (16-3, 3-0 league) by scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
The unsung hero of the night was forward Albigho Ujadughele. The senior pumped in 12 points, snatched eight rebounds and applied terrific defensive pressure throughout the game.
He helped kick-start the Los Altos comeback early in the fourth quarter with two key baskets.
Walnut (15-6, 2-1) got a huge performance from shooting guard Caleb Santos. The senior finished the game with 22 points and five rebounds. Freshman Malik Khouzam scored 12 points, and Ryan Victorio added 10.
There was nothing fancy about Wednesday’s encounter. Every possession was hotly contested as players regularly grabbed loose rebounds and played hard inside the key.
In the early stages of the fourth quarter, it appeared as if the Mustangs might come out with the victory.
By going on an 8-2 run, the Mustangs opened up a 51-41 lead. However, the Conquerors rallied late in the fourth quarter and tied the game at 54 on a field goal by Porter.
After a series of possessions that led to both teams making free throws, Los Altos had an opportunity to win in the final seconds. Ozzy Cuellar’s half-court shot failed to draw iron and the game went to overtime.
ROEL AND MAGANA HELP CONQUERORS TO WIN
Madelyn Roel scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Los Altos girls basketball team to a resounding 63-39 victory at Walnut.
The performance of Emma Magana proved critical in the victory. When Roel got into foul trouble in the second quarter, Magana, a junior forward, scored 16 points that helped give Los Altos a 38-17 lead at halftime.
Magana finished the game with 20 points and five rebounds. Jenica Hernandez scored 10 points with six rebounds.
“Emma is capable of putting in performances like that for us every night,” Los Altos coach Mark Nakamura said. “She did a very nice job for us in the second quarter.”
Katherina Su was the leading scorer for the Mustangs with 12 points. Tiffany Ho contributed 11 points, and Joleen Olia pumped in eight points with eight rebounds.
Los Altos established its superiority in the contest early in the second quarter, going on a 10-0 run that gave them 21-8 lead.
The Conquerors got some late momentum, going on an 8-2 run that gave them a 38-20 lead at halftime.
