Lofton, Thurman Help El Camino Real Advance to 2nd Round of Tournament

Four players scored in double figures to lead El Camino Real High to an 85-74 victory over Wilson of Hacienda Heights in the first round Friday of a 16-team basketball tournament sponsored by Westmont College.

Brent Lofton scored 20 points and Corey Thurman added 15 for El Camino Real, which plays St. Genevieve at 9:15 a.m. today. St. Genevieve defeated Rio Mesa, 68-67, Friday in double overtime. Rio Mesa played without last season’s leading scorer and rebounder Eric Thomas, who missed the game because of another commitment.

Damon Orlando added 14 points for El Camino Real against Wilson and Erik Nasarenko scored 10. Jason Steele scored eight points and had a team-high 12 rebounds off the bench. Nick Warner added eight points and six rebounds.

Hart 82, Chaminade 64: Point guard Steve Valenzuela scored 16 points and forward Curt Marzinzik added 14 as Hart advanced into the second round. Hart plays Bakersfield today at 10:30 a.m.

Hart trailed, 18-10, after the first quarter but outscored Chaminade, 32-15, in the second period to take a nine-point halftime lead.

“We were bigger inside and our fast break wore them down,” Hart coach Greg Herrick said. “Chaminade came out very intense but they got tired chasing us.”