ROUNDUP : Hot Shooting in Second Half Helps Los Alamitos Win Big

In its final tuneup before league play, Los Alamitos proved it will be the team to beat in the Empire League for the seventh time in the last 10 years.

Los Alamitos’ hot shooting in the third quarter turned a close game into a rout as the Griffins cruised to a 69-46 victory over host Western Friday night.

Los Alamitos (12-3) made nine of 10 shots in the third quarter to build a 20-point lead. Guard Steve Carbone ignited the spree by scoring seven of his 12 points in the quarter.

Western (9-4) trailed, 27-20, at halftime, but the Pioneers went cold in the second half. Western made only 13 of 40 shots in the second half.

“They totally disrupted us offensively in the second half,” Western Coach Matt Cavanaugh said.

Los Alamitos also got some fine play from sophomore center Brady Doyle and junior forward Ryan Staniec. Doyle had nine points and nine rebounds, and Staniec added 14 points and six rebounds.

“Our goal tonight was to contain their guards (Carbone and Tim Lin) and hope their big guys wouldn’t hurt us,” Cavanaugh said.

Los Alamitos figures to battle Esperanza and Katella in what many expect to be the most tightly contested Empire League race in a long time. The Griffins appear to be ready for the challenge, but if there is still some improvement to be made, it’s their ballhandling.

Point guard Tim Lin was sporadic, often trying to do too much, and consequently, Los Alamitos committed 18 turnovers.

“Tim is a good player, but . . . sometimes he tries to do too much and ends up hurting himself,” Los Alamitos Coach Steve Brooks said. “The big guys were good tonight, and they’re just going to get better.”

Doyle had his moments in the second and third quarters. He made a nice move to score with 6:45 remaining in the third quarter to push Los Alamitos ahead, 33-20. He put up the crowning blow on a follow shot with 5:34 left in the quarter, giving Los Alamitos a 37-20 lead.

Western’s only effective weapon was returning all-league swingman Frankie Floyd. He led all scorers with 17 points, but the senior made only one of six three-point attempts.

Western should battle Magnolia for its fourth consecutive Orange League title, but Cavanaugh said it should be a tighter race with Valencia also a contender.

“We had a three-way tie for the championship (with Brea-Olinda and Savanna) last year, and I think 7-3 will win it again this year,” Cavanaugh said.

In other nonleague boys’ basketball:

Fullerton 54, Katella 53--Katella outscored Fullerton, 21-7, in the third quarter for a 46-39 lead going into the fourth, but Fullerton (9-6) rebounded and the ninth-ranked Knights (11-3) missed a shot at the buzzer. Chad Murray’s 26 points and 12 rebounds paced Fullerton. Brian Carlson (18) and Nick Roditis (15) led Katella.

Buena Park 59, Cypress 57--Alex Tolentino made all 10 of his free throws in the fourth quarter to help Buena Park hold on. Tolentino scored 20 points and Jayson Fields added 19 for the Coyotes (7-7). Cypress’ Bart Boulton had a game-high 21 points.

Sonora 62, Valencia 60 (2OT)--With 13 seconds left in the second overtime, Chris Campbell completed a three-point play to give Sonora a 62-60 lead. Valencia’s Kevin Deck made a three-point shot with two seconds remaining in the first overtime to tie the score. Chris St. Clair had 32 points and five steals for host Sonora (12-3).

Troy 79, Brea-Olinda 63--Mark Stenner scored 23 points and Matt Cardillo had 16 as Troy (7-7) topped visiting Brea-Olinda (6-10). Dana Hills 57, Foothill 53--After the score was tied, 53-53, with 45 seconds remaining, Bob Hefty scored two baskets inside for visiting Dana Hills (7-7).

Sunny Hills 63, El Dorado 49--Jacob Cuccia and Mario Bertuol each scored 15 points to lead Sunny Hills over El Dorado (5-10), which got 21 points from John Simonsen.

St. Margaret’s 86, Tri-City Christian 62--Sophomore Damian Raibon was 15 of 20 from the field and scored 32 points for St. Margaret’s (6-5).