SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINALS

Pomona 99, Alemany 87--For Alemany, the Cinderella team of the III-AA Division playoffs, the glass slipper didn’t fit after all. After upset victories over Laguna Hills, La Serna and Western, the Indians had the shoehorn out and were hoping to slip into Saturday’s playoff final at the Sports Arena.

But Alemany’s improbable run for the title ended against Pomona, which outrebounded the Indians, 54-33, at Ontario High.

“We didn’t keep them off the boards. They pounded us inside,” first-year Alemany Coach Kurt Keller said. “We held them together with tape and string all year. I’m proud of each and every one of (my players).”

He had a right to be.

The Indians (12-17) seemed clearly overmatched against the taller, quicker Red Devils (21-6). But Alemany, which fell behind by as many as 20 points in the second period, refused to fold.

The Indians cut seven points off the deficit by halftime and trailed, 49-36, despite shooting just 36% from the field and grabbing 16 fewer rebounds than Pomona.

Both Richard Dice (22 points, 10 rebounds) and Will Burr (20 points) played well. The Indians also got strong games from Steve Piszton and Louis Hamel, who had 14 and 12 points, and reserve Mike Smith, who added 11.