THE PREPS : Newport-Mesa Basketball Tournament : Rob Johnson and Khari Johnson Propel El Toro Into Semifinals
Rob Johnson scored 23 points and Khari Johnson added 21 Friday to lead El Toro High School to an 86-51 nonleague victory over Los Alamitos and a berth in the semifinals of the Newport-Mesa tournament at Costa Mesa. The Chargers face Saddleback tonight.
Rob Johnson, a sophomore, made 4 3-point baskets in the game. His second, from the corner with 4:18 to play in the first half, started a 20-10 run that gave the Chargers (2-0) a 42-22 halftime lead.
Los Alamitos (0-1) tried to mount a second-half comeback, but the Griffins were overpowered by the more experienced El Toro squad. Khari Johnson ignited a 14-4 Charger run early in the second half with 3 consecutive baskets as El Toro increased its lead to 56-26 with 5:14 to play. He also had 7 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.
The Griffins, who have only one senior on the roster, were led by junior Robert Conlisk with 12 points. Geoff Graham added 9 for Los Alamitos, last year’s Empire League champions.
Greg Reynolds, the third El Toro starter to score in double figures with 18, had 8 assists. He also had 4 steals.
Los Alamitos plays La Quinta today in consolation play. In other championship quarterfinal games:
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