Area High Schools, Colleges Make Good Showing in Holiday Tournaments

COVINA – For the second time in as many years, the Walnut High School boys’ basketball team advanced to the championship game of the Covina Holiday Basketball tournament, and for the second time in as many years, they were unable to bring home the prize, falling to league foe Los Altos, 55-52 Tuesday night.

Zuri Williams led the way for the Mustangs (10-5) with 15 points and seven assists, including two assists to Jeff Huang who made two 3-pointers late in the game for Walnut’s first lead of the game. Walnut outscored the Conquerors 21-17 in the fourth quarter but the Mustangs were not able to hold on to the lead as Los Altos would come back and seal the game on two Rudy Lenero free throws with less than 30 seconds to go in the game.

It was Williams whose layup with five seconds to go in the semifinal game against Bonita Monday night to give the Mustangs a chance at the title game. Bonita led most of the game, but Walnut clawed back in the second half, culminated in Williams go ahead layup.

Christian Espinoza led Los Altos (9-3) with 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds to garnish the tournament MVP and was paired up against Williams all game long. The two teams will meet up twice more this year, the first one on January 28.

Williams and Jack Charles were also named to the all-tournament team for Walnut.

Walnut hosts crosstown rival Diamond Bar next Wednesday. Tipoff is at 6:30 pm.

Mounties Avenge Last Year’s Loss in Christmas Tournament –

LaShanique Youngblood led three Mounties in double figures, as Mt. SAC avenged its last year’s loss in champion game of the Coleen Riley Tournament with a 65-44 win over the Long Beach City Vikings Monday night.

Youngblood finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals. John’ea Thompson and Shahana Zeigler each added 12 points for the Mounties, who remains perfect at 17-0 in the early part of the season.