Third Time's a Charm as Walnut Finally Claims the Covina Tournament Title

COVINA – The third time is a charm, as the Walnut Mustangs boys’ basketball team was able to finally claim top prize of the Covina Holiday Basketball tournament with a 71-46 win over the Los Altos Conquerors in a game played December 30.

This was Walnut’s third consecutive trip to the final game, but the Mustangs failed to win the championship two years ago when it lost to Damien, and last year when they lost to Los Altos.

“For me its extra special because I wasn’t able to play in last year’s game,” Senior Dwight Ramos said after Tuesday’s semifinal victory. “I wanted to win it for my teammates who graduated.”

He did just that, tallying a double-double (32 points, 23 rebounds) and led the way for Walnut (13-2) which garnished him tournament MVP. He also had four assists and a couple of steals. Jordan Montenegro joined Ramos on the All-Tournament team.

Walnut’s head coach Joe Khouzam highly praised his senior saying that he “obviously makes a difference and that it makes our job easier having the best player on the floor.”

The evening prior, Walnut broke Bishop Amat’s 11-0 record, and then once again disrupted Los Alto’s perfect 8-0 start to its season. The two teams will play each other again twice more in Hacienda League Play which begins in two weeks.

I hate playing a league team three times,” Khouzam said. ”It was like this last year also. It will be different when we see them in two weeks.”

Los Altos was led by freshman standout Jared Lucas who, like Ramos also scored 45 games during the tournament. In the final game, he was limited because of foul trouble but finished with 19 points and three rebounds. Lucas, along with Julian Lopez made All-Tournament team for the Conquerors (8-1).

“Lucas is a tough matchup,” Khouzam said. He is young, but he can play. He can score from all angles, and to have him in foul trouble changed the momentum of the game.”

Walnut defeated rivals Diamond Bar last Monday 63-48 and will host its nemesis Los Altos Wednesday to open league play. Tipoff is at 6:45pm.