The final day of The Classic at Damien brought a spirited matchup between the San Dimas Saints and Rialto Knights at San Dimas High School. Both teams entered the game looking to gain momentum as the holiday tournament wrapped up. Rialto, with an 8-8 record, aimed to move above .500, while San Dimas sought their 10th win of the season with a 9-7 record coming into the contest.
A Back-and-Forth Battle
The game started with Rialto controlling the pace, taking an 18-16 lead after the first quarter. The Knights extended their advantage slightly by halftime, holding a 36-30 lead, fueled by balanced scoring and timely defense.
The Saints, however, began their rally in the third quarter, outscoring Rialto 16-11. Luke Chavez, who led all scorers with 24 points, ignited San Dimas’ offense with sharp shooting and steady leadership. By the end of the third quarter, Rialto’s lead had shrunk to just one point, 47-46.
San Dimas carried their momentum into the final period, delivering a dominant 19-12 performance. Strong contributions from players like Jeremiah Garzon (14 points) and Nathan Yearout (12 points) complemented Chavez’s efforts, as the Saints executed their offensive sets with precision and capitalized on second-chance opportunities.
Key Performances
For the Saints, Chavez’s 24 points were critical, but contributions from Garzon, Yearout, and Andrew Diep (8 points) highlighted the team’s depth. Angelo Fares, Ethan Zemetra, and Antonio Trejos added points in key moments to secure the victory.
Rialto was led by Amari Gray, who finished with 17 points, showcasing his ability to drive to the basket and hit mid-range shots. Jaycen Rouzen added 14 points, and Derek Ledezma chipped in with 9 points, but the Knights struggled to maintain their first-half rhythm against San Dimas’ defensive adjustments.
Final Score and What’s Next
The Saints closed out the tournament with a hard-earned 66-60 victory, improving their record to 10-7. Rialto, now 8-9, will look to regroup as league play approaches.
San Dimas will next face Don Lugo High School on Friday, January 3, at 6:30 p.m., while Rialto will take on Carter High School on Wednesday, January 8, at 7 p.m.