Tapia Scores 32 as Royal Claims Title

Royal High’s Brent Tapia was 8 of 8 from the free throw line in the last 1:28 to beat Buena 51-46 in the final of the Ventura tournament Saturday night.

The 6-0 senior scored 32 points including 18 of 21 foul shots to withstand a gutsy comeback by Buena (6-3).

The Bulldogs missed their first 8 shots, and 12 of their first 14, to fall behind 15-6 at the end of the first quarter. Buena guard David Dunn scored 14 points, but could not make up for the deficiencies elsewhere, as Buena shot just 20 of 53 from the field.

Royal (5-5) had 16 turnovers, 10 in the second half, to help Buena stay close.

“We were really intense at the start,” Tapia, who was chosen the tournament most valuable player, said. “Then we slacked off, and gave the ball away too much.”

The Highlanders were held to only one filed goal in the fourth quarter which led to Tapia’s game ending heorics.

“I’m glad I had the ball,” Tapia added. “I wanted it so bad, because we have never won any tournament.”

Camarillo 55, Channel Islands 43--Camarillo notched the victory behind two basic principles--tough defense and get the ball inside to Mitch Parrott.

The 6-4 senior scored a game-high 28 and had 13 rebounds.

The first half ended with Camarillo ahead, 28-24, mostly behind Parrott’s 11 points and strength on the boards. He had six first-half rebounds.

Channel Islands (6-4) stayed close because of a tight defense and few turnovers. The Raiders commited only three in the first half.

Camarillo (8-4) responded by holding Channel Islands to six points on 3-of-10 shooting in the third quarter.

“I put the heat on my guys and they responded,” Camarillo Coach John Harbour said. “I’m proud of them for coming back today.”

CAMARILLO--Parrott 28 and 13 rebounds; Biggs 10; Cregor 8; Johnson 5; Bushman 4.

CHANNEL ISLANDS--Anderson 13; Boyd 6; Gaines 5; C. Henderson 5; Francisco 4; Jones 4; M. Henderson 4; Eckert 2.