Garner’s Heroics Not Enough for Rio Mesa

Jeff Garner’s game-high 23 points weren’t good enough for Rio Mesa High on Thursday night as the Spartans were defeated by East Bakersfield, 72-65, in a semifinal game of the Hart basketball tournament.

What proved fatal for the Spartans was the loss of forward Eric Thomas, who sustained torn ligaments and a slight ankle sprain during Rio Mesa’s quarterfinal victory over Channel League rival Hueneme on Wednesday.

Thomas is expected to be out 2 to 3 weeks.

East Bakersfield will meet St. Francis, a winner over Canyon, in the final.

Rio Mesa (6-3) jumped out behind a 14-4 run early in the first quarter and led, 42-35, at halftime.

Rio Mesa built its advantage to 54-47, but then saw its margin evaporate as the Blades went on a 14-6 run to open the fourth quarter.

East Bakersfield went in front, 61-60, then hit 11 of 13 free throws in the final 2 minutes.

Forward Steve Killgore and guard Ahment Baras had 14 points each for Rio Mesa.

In other games:

St. Francis 59, Canyon 50--A game-high 23-points from St. Francis forward Dominick Mumolo stunned the Cowboys in a championship semifinal.

The Golden Knights trailed after a quarter, 15-13, and tied the score at halftime on forward Jeff Dyrek’s 10-foot jump shot as time expired.

Canyon ran off an 8-2 run to pull to within a point of the Golden Knights with 3:20 to play.

St. Francis (9-4) regained momentum and erupted for a 13-2 run, during which guard Allen Freemon added 9 of his 16 points.

The Cowboys (4-6) were led by guard Jamil Austin’s 16 points.

Alemany 34, Westlake 29--Alemany advanced to the consolation final behind forward Brian Swanson’s game-high 12 points.

The win is the Indians’ second in a row after starting the season 0-8.

San Fernando 87, Hart 65--The Tigers scored 43 second-half points to defeat tournament host Hart and advance to the consolation final.

San Fernando (5-6) was led by guard Michael Wynn’s 25 points and 11 rebounds and guard Sean Williams’s 14 points and 8 steals.

Royal 55, St. Genevieve 53--Russell Myers, J.P. Ouellette and Greg Laranjo each scored 12 points to lead the Highlanders (5-6) in a fifth-place semifinal.

Roland De La Maza led St. Genevieve with 13 points.