PREP BASKETBALL : Garden Grove League Boys’ Roundup : Rancho Alamitos Stays in Race

Rancho Alamitos High School got its best performance of the season when it needed it the most Friday night as the Vaqueros defeated Pacifica, 72-44, in a key Garden Grove League boys’ basketball game at Rancho Alamitos.

Rancho Alamitos (9-8, 7-4 in league play) moved to within striking range of third-place Pacifica (13-6, 8-3). La Quinta (15-5, 10-1) is first, one game ahead of Kennedy (16-7, 9-2) and two in front of Pacifica.

“This was a must-win for us if we were going to have any chance of catching Pacifica or anyone else for third place,” Rancho Alamitos Coach Terry Munson said.

The Vaqueros led, 21-17, at the end of the first quarter and outscored the Mariners, 15-5, to take a 36-22 halftime lead.

Gary Lira scored 24 points and David Green 20 to lead Rancho Alamitos. Green also had 10 rebounds.

The Vaqueros dominated the inside game as Richard Pearce had 17 rebounds and 11 points.

Rancho Alamitos played a box-and-one defense on Pacifica’s Dustin Bonham, who came into the game averaging 19.9 points. Bonham was held to 6 points by Rancho Alamitos’ Jim Yarnell. Bill Maurer scored 10 points to lead Pacifica.

La Quinta 71, Los Amigos 51--Scott Campbell scored 26 points to lead host La Quinta (15-5, 10-1). Campbell, a 6-foot 5-inch senior, made 12 of 19 shots and had 10 rebounds. Scott Linck had 13 points and Bill Snyder 10 for the Aztecs. Snyder also had nine assists and Linck six. Carlos Palomino scored 18 points and David Pearlman 11 for Los Amigos (6-12, 4-7).