Rio Mesa Shows Skeptics, Then Bows to Artesia

Skeptics of the Rio Mesa High basketball team, which was only fifth best in the Channel League this season, waited for the Spartans’ unlikely run to a Southern Section Division II-AA semifinal to end in blowout fashion Tuesday.

They waited. And waited. They’re still waiting.

The doubters were forced from the packed gymnasium when Rio Mesa led by the end of the third quarter before faltering in the fourth and falling, 58-47, to No. 2-seeded Artesia at Camarillo High.

The scrappy Spartans (13-14) appeared outmanned by an Artesia team that featured two NCAA Division I prospects in 6-foot-6 junior guard Charles O’Bannon and 6-11 junior center Avondre James.

But Rio Mesa used its hustle and aggressive defense to take a 45-44 lead on senior guard Jason MacLean’s jump shot at the third-quarter buzzer.

Rio Mesa extended its lead to 47-44 on junior center Jade Peterson’s basket with a little more than seven minutes remaining.

But those would be Rio Mesa’s final points.

O’Bannon, who finished with a game-high 26 points, scored on a pass from Jones and Jones scored on a layup with 2:56 left that gave Artesia (25-3) a 48-47 lead.

Jones and O’Bannon each hit two free throws and Jae Park hit a follow shot that extended Artesia’s lead to 54-47 with 1:12 left. O’Bannon later added two free throws and a reverse dunk.

“They were playing well inside and we weren’t ready for that,” said O’Bannon, who is the younger brother of UCLA player Ed O’Bannon.

Rio Mesa, meanwhile, missed its final seven shots and committed four turnovers in the final seven minutes.

Rio Mesa also found an inside shot to be a tall order against Jones, who blocked nine shots. The Spartans were outrebounded, 40-24; Artesia had 20 offensive rebounds to Rio Mesa’s six.

MacLean scored 11 points to lead Rio Mesa, which finished 17 of 46 (37%) from the field.