Dos Pueblos’ Robert Vickers knocked down two free throws in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime, but the Chargers dropped off the pace in overtime and fell to Golden Valley on Tuesday in the Simi Valley Tournament, 70-62.
Malik Heptot led the way for DP, scoring 24 points, grabbing eight rebounds and blocking four shots. The 6-foot-9 junior has bulked up to 245 pounds this year and will be a force to reckon with for head coach Joe Zamora’s team, which returns only two major-contributors (Vickers and Evan Munoz) from last year’s CIF semifinal team.
Vickers added 16 points against Golden Valley, who Zamora called bigger and more athletic than his Chargers.
Nevertheless, DP went into halftime facing a one-point deficit and was able to hang in there until the end, despite trailing for much of the contest.
The Chargers return to Camarillo for a Wednesday game at 3:30 p.m. After an off-day on Thursday, DP travels to Camarillo again on Friday and Saturday to complete the four-day tourney.
