Camarillo boys' basketball team downs Rio Mesa, 66-43
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

This past week was rivalry week between Camarillo and Rio Mesa high schools, and the Scorpions earned bragging rights for at least the short term when the ACHS boys' basketball team beat the Spartans 66-43 at home Wednesday night.

The win put the Scorpions record at 98 and 20 in the Pacific View League. Rio Mesa's record fell to 6-11 and 1-1 in league play.

In the first half, the game belonged to the team's superstars, Ryan McLucas for Rio Mesa and Dan Rasp for Camarillo. Rasp proved he was 100 percent healthy after having been sidelined with an injury by scoring seven points and blocking two shots in the first quarter.

Thanks to Rasp, the Scorpions busted out of the gates to a 17-8 first-quarter lead.

The Spartans came right back with a 17-3 run thanks to sharp shooting by McLucas and Gabe Soliz. McLucas added eight of his team-high 24 points during the quarter, and Soliz hit three consecutive 3-point shots to put the Spartans ahead, 25-22.

Rio Mesa's lead was shortlived, as Camarillo went on a 5-0 run to end the half on top 27-25. During halftime, the Scorpions made a few adjustments, and Rio Mesa would never get close again.

"During the first quarter we did a good job offensively by scoring inside," Camarillo head coach Mike Prewitt said. "We kind of went away from that in the second quarter and knew we had to go back to playing an inside game in the second half."

After not scoring in the second quarter, Rasp made sure that the Scorpions' inside game was clicking the rest of the way.

Rasp scored eight points in the third quarter, including two on an alley-oop dunk to put Camarillo up 4028. Rasp continued to be on fire in the final quarter by scoring nine points before finishing the game with a team-high 24.

"On the alley-oop, I was just hoping I would be able to finish it and get the crowd going," Rasp said. "I think we moved around more on offense in the second half, and (Mike) Diacos was able to find people that were open. He seemed to have eyes everywhere on the court."

Rio Mesa could only manage four points in the third quarter, and the Scorpions took advantage by going on a 203 run in the second half to put the game away.

Besides Rasp, Gordon Galloway proved to be an inside force with eight points. Guards Mike Tobin and Diacos contributed with 14 points and 10 points, respectively.

"I think this game really shows our potential," Rasp said. "If we can play like this every night, we can beat anyone in the Pacific View League, because Rio Mesa is a really good team."

The teams will meet again at Rio Mesa on Jan. 26.