Santa Fe’s Cristian Perez, left, and Los Altos’ David Tolmachoff battle for the ball during Monday’s game. (Keith Durflinger / Staff Photographer)

By John Sherrard, Correspondent

WHITTIER – The future looks bright for a young Los Altos High School boys basketball team.

The Conquerors, led by a trio of sophomores who scored in double figures, defeated Santa Fe, 79-69, in the opening game of the inaugural Pioneer Pride Classic on Monday at Pioneer High.

Guard Cristian Espinoza had a game-high 23 points, center David Jimenez scored 14 and guard Michael Barrera added 13 points for the Conquerors.

Los Altos (3-2) had three other sophomores who totaled 18 points.

Santa Fe (3-4) was led by a pair of juniors. Forward Cristian Perez scored 22 points and guard Jonathan Parral had 20.

Los Altos, which was 2-2 in the Bosco Tech tournament to open the season, advanced to the second round of the winners bracket and will play Brea Olinda today at 3 p.m.

Santa Fe plays in a consolation game against Hoover on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

The Chiefs, who hosted and defeated a team from Sydney, Australia last week, trailed by as many as 20 points, 73-53, early in the fourth quarter before outscoring Los Altos, 16-6, in the last 4:10.