Ammann Scores Career High as Rancho Santiago Beats Harbor

Kenny Ammann scored a career-high 38 points to lead Rancho Santiago College to a 98-76 victory over Los Angeles Harbor on Wednesday in a Southern California men’s regional playoff game at Rancho Santiago.

Ammann, a sophomore guard, hit six of seven three-point attempts and scored 22 points in the second half as Rancho Santiago blew open a 50-45 half-time lead.

Ammann made two free throws to increase the Rancho Santiago lead to 54-46 with 17:52 left. He then made a layup, had a steal and hit a three-point basket as Rancho Santiago led, 59-46, with 17:01 left.

“For most of his shots we had someone on him,” Los Angeles Harbor Coach Ken Curry, said about Ammann. “We got a hand up in his face a lot and he still made his shots. Rancho Santiago played hard. They were diving on the floor and hustling all over the place. You like to see that in a team.”

Ammann was almost as impressive on defense. He held Mark Hill, Los Angeles Harbor’s top scorer, to one field goal and seven points in the second half. Hill ended with 22 points. Tolbert Routt scored 10 points and was the only other Los Angeles Harbor player in double figures.

“Going into the game, I was mainly worried about defense and guarding Hill,” the 6-foot 3-inch Ammann said. “I figured that was most important. I was just going to look for my shot.”