Rio Mesa Dashes Past Palmdale in 1st Round

Rio Mesa High forced a quarterfinal match-up with Channel League rival Hueneme by manhandling Palmdale, 91-66, in a first-round game of the Hart tournament Tuesday at Hart High.

The Spartans dominated from the opening tip-off and led, 20-11, after the first quarter. Behind forward Jeff Garner’s game-high 25 points, Rio Mesa took off on a 13-4 run late in the second period and led, 46-30, at intermission.

Palmdale was outscored, 27-12, in the third period and fell victim to a 15-4 run spearheaded by Garner’s reverse slam dunk.

The Falcons managed to score 24 fourth-quarter points, most coming on an explosive 14-6 run during which guard Shannon Culver scored 5 of his 19 points. Sophomore center Jason Grimes led Palmdale with 21 points.

Rio Mesa Coach Steve Wolf is more concerned about his team’s aggressiveness. “We usually play a little more aggressive,” Wolf said. “We’re going to pressure Hueneme a little more.”

Forward Eric Thomas contributed 17 points for the Spartans (5-2) and guard Lester Smith added 7 points and 9 assists.

In other first-round games:

Hueneme 69, Alemany 47--The Indians, trying to snap a 7-game losing streak, had their hopes thwarted. The Indians trailed, 15-9, after the first quarter but had a chance to tie the score at halftime. Jon Beauchemin’s 3-point shot at the buzzer was negated by offensive charging, however.

Beauchemin led Alemany (0-8), with 23 points.

Hueneme, led by Freddie Bradley’s 17 points, took a 42-34 lead in the third quarter and opened the final period with a 14-4 run.

Antelope Valley, 75, Westlake 58--Behind guard Dimitrius Phillips’ 25 points, Antelope Valley came back from an 8-point halftime deficit and scored 32 fourth-quarter points.

Kurt Schwan led Westlake (6-4) with a game-high 29 points.

St. Genevieve 79, Hart 72--Sparked by a game-high 20 points from guard Mike Cassidy, St. Genevieve upset the tournament host. Hart fell behind, 19-14, after the first quarter and trailed at halftime, 39-29.

Royal 77, San Fernando 67--The Highlanders were paced by J. P. Ouellette and Russell Myers with 23 and 22 points.

Canyon 81, Highland Hall 21--The Cowboys, led by forward Joe Hance’s 15 points, controlled the game from the opening tip-off.