COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Altamirano Rallies Rancho Santiago

Gene Altamirano had 22 points to lead Rancho Santiago College to a 72-61 victory over Mt. San Antonio Thursday in a championship semifinal-round game of the Rancho Santiago Holiday basketball tournament.

Altamirano, a sophomore forward, made six of six three-pointers and four of four free throws. He scored eight consecutive points to help Rancho Santiago overcome Mt. San Antonio in the second half. The Mounties led at the half, 29-28.

Matt Lien added 17 points and Corie Blount had 14 for the Dons, the top-ranked team in the state. Rancho Santiago plays Santa Monica at 7 tonight for the championship.

In another Rancho Santiago tournament game:

Saddleback 97, Walla Walla (Wash.) 86--Lesean London, a sophomore guard, had a career-high 24 points for Saddleback (6-9), which plays L.A. Trade Tech today at 3 p.m. for the consolation championship. London also had eight rebounds. Terrell Mallone led Saddleback with 12 rebounds and added 21 points. Walla Walla is 8-6.

In the Santa Rosa tournament:

Cypress 115, Mendocino 51--Cypress (13-2) took a 56-29 first-half lead by scoring on nine of 12 three-pointers. Vince Hizon had 13 of his game-high 24 points in the first half and had three three-pointers for Cypress. Teammate Grayle Humphrey had 16 of his 20 points in the first half, and had four three-pointers.

In the College of the Desert tournament:

Golden West 101, Los Angeles Valley 95--Golden West (11-6) was led by Alex Kreps’ 30 points and Craig Rice’s 28 points.

In the San Diego Mesa tournament:

Grossmont 79, Orange Coast 78--Scott DeStafano, who had 10 points, missed an open four-foot shot just before the buzzer to eliminate Orange Coast (11-4).