Walnut Boys Basketball Wins Fourth Consecutive League Contest, Sixth Overall

The Walnut High School boys’ and girls’ basketball team completed another sweep, this time against the visiting Los Altos Conquerors, Wednesday evening.  The Boys squeaked past Los Altos, 65-55, while the girls easily dispatched its opposition 66-20.

The boys continue to roll, winning its fourth league game in succession, and sixth overall as it had to hold on against a persistent Conqueror team who had the game as close to three points with less than two minutes to go in the nightcap.

“They (Los Altos) are a very good team,” mustangs head coach Josh Cameron said. “Their only league loss came without their top player, or else they could have easily been 3-0 coming into tonight’s contest.”

It was Walnut, however who drew first blood, taking a quick 7-0 lead forcing Los Altos coach Jeff Lucas to take a quick timeout.

The Conquerors came back, however behind the strength of its two big men Jayson Jones and David Tolmachoff who scored four points each to close the gap to 11-8 heading into the second quarter.

Tolmachoff finished with 16 points, four rebounds and a steal, while Jones added 13 points and five rebounds.  Christian Espinoza pitched in 11 points (including three from behind the arc) in the loss.

Walnut would pull away in the second quarter, going on a 13-3 run to take a 26-16 lead going into halftime.

Rob Harrelson led three Mustangs in double digits, recording a game high 23 points and three rebounds.   LJ Besong pitched in 16 points and five assists while Richard Rycraw added 13 points, five rebounds and five blocks.

Los Altos would not go away, as it made one final push, going to the press which allowed them to close the gap.  After back to back three pointers by Michael Barrera, Tolmachoff closed the gap to 56-53 on a layup with about two minutes to go.

A Harrelson three pointer and six made free throws down the stretch help sealed the victory for Walnut who improved to (14-5, 4-0).

The Mustangs visits Diamond Ranch (10-9, 2-2) Friday. Tipoff is set for 6:45 pm.

The Walnut girls’ basketball team picked up an important league win in the matinee, easily dispatching the Lady Conquerors 66-20 to go 2-2 in league play.

Katya Eschavez led the way for the Mustangs, dropping 14 points, six rebounds and two steals.  Kim Mayekawa pitched in 11 points and two assists, while Paulina Ochoa added 10 points, four rebounds and four steals.

It was a steal fest, as the conquerors were unable to figure out Walnut’s press defense, turning over the ball on many an occasion.  Walnut took the ball away 13 times, including Ochoa’s four steals to lead the Mustangs.

Nika Tolentino led the way for the visitors behind two three pointers for six points.  Vanessa Solorio and Lisette Hernandez pitched in four, while Yvonne Quac added three in the losing effort.

Walnut (10-7, 2-2) look to go over .500 as it visits the Diamond Ranch Panthers (14-3, 4-0) Friday. Tip off time is at 5:00.