Dos Pueblos’ Malik Heptot scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds on Thursday night as the Dos Pueblos boys basketball team crushed the depleted Santa Barbara Dons 71-39 in the Simi Valley Tournament.
At 6-foot-9 and 245 pounds, Heptot was just a bit too much for the Dons, who are missing key players, including standout Roberto Nelson, due to injury.
Spencer Thomas was Santa Barbara’s high-scorer with 17 points and Kyle Leonard had 10, but Santa Barbara coach Chris Hantgin said his team is just not ready at this point in the season to compete with the Chargers, whom he considers a front-runner for the Channel League title along with Ventura.
“I’d like to think we can compete with them when we’re at full strength, but I don’t know if we’ll ever be at full strength,” he said. “We’re trying to stay confident and optimistic, but it’s tough right now. Hopefully we can get some guys healthy and get some practices in with the whole team.”
DP continues on in the tournament Friday, while the Dons have until Tuesday to regroup.
