Prep Basketball BOYS : Alemany Downs St. John Bosco, 71-62

If this Del Rey League opener Wednesday night was any indication, Alemany High could have the team to contend with for the league title as it pulled away from St. John Bosco in the second half to win, 71-62.

Alemany’s David Djolakian led the Indians with 26 points and 14 rebounds, getting six in the first quarter when Alemany went ahead, 15-10.

However, St. John Bosco kept the game tight. It held Djolakian to just one rebound in the second quarter while capitalizing on three Alemany turnovers to take a 16-15 lead with five minutes to play in the period.

The Braves maintained their one-point lead until Clyde Fontenette tipped in a missed layup with four seconds left to give Alemany a 27-26 halftime lead.

Djolakian then erupted for 10 of Alemany’s 18 third-quarter points to give the Indians a 45-38 lead.

The 6-7 senior center also grabbed four of the seven rebounds for Alemany in the quarter. Mike Ritter had the Braves only rebound of the quarter.

Alemany opened up a 15-point lead in the fourth, only to see St. John Bosco battle back and pull to within 59-54 with 1:44 left.

The Braves then started fouling. The Indians, though, showed why they are one of the top teams in the league, hitting 10 of 12 from the foul line to stay ahead.

The loss drops the Braves record to 0-1 (6-5 overall) going into their second league game with Bosco Tech Friday. Ritter led the Braves with 23 points while Steve Balstad helped out with 21 points and nine rebounds.

James Moses had 16 points and Rick Giese added 14 points and five rebounds for the Indians.

Alemany (1-0, 11-3 overall) also faces Bosco Tech in its second league game next Wednesday night at Alemany.