South Squad Rallies to Beat North

The Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club boys’ all-star game Saturday night featured some of the best performances by the some of the least recognized players in the county.

And, unlike the girls’ game that preceded it, this one went down to the wire.

The South needed a 26-7 run late in the second half to overcome the North, 102-96, in the 31st game at Orange Coast College.

Ike Harmon, 6 feet 7, of Santa Ana Valley, was named the game’s most valuable player.

Harmon, who has committed to play at Cal State Fullerton, scored 30 points and was 10 of 21 from the floor. He also had 10 rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocked shots.

Harmon, a Times all-county selection, demonstrated why he has a good chance of being a starter at Fullerton next season.

“I just wanted to show that I was a player,” Harmon said. “I wanted to do a good job so people could see me.”

Katella’s Carlos Romero hit his first four baskets, including a three-pointer that was part of a 15-3 North run that led to 40-29 lead with less than four minutes left in the first half.

Romero finished with 16 points.

Dane Plock of Estancia got the South back in the game with consecutive three-points shots.

The North took a nine-point lead with about 10 minutes to go on a basket by Esperanza forward Lohnnie Tape, who finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds.

But the South, spurred by six points and a steal by Harmon, came back to lead, 91-85, with four minutes left.

The North’s Jason Vallas, a senior who did not start for Mater Dei, finished with nine points, seven rebounds, three steals, a block and an assist.

Katella’s Jacy Armbruster had 10 points and seven rebounds before fouling out.

South center Chris Candlish of Estancia had 14 points and eight rebounds.

The North’s Mike Scaglione picked up six points and six rebounds.

David Lalazarian of Tustin was seven of 19 from the field, but finished with 10 rebounds.