BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Los Alamitos Rallies to Defeat St. John Bosco

Los Alamitos overcame a eight-point deficit, then outlasted Jelani Gardner for a 69-62 victory over Bellflower St. John Bosco Wednesday night in the quarterfinals of the Tournament of Champions at Ocean View High School.

The Griffins trailed, 53-45, with five minutes left when they found a little intestinal fortitude. They scored 13 consecutive points as their press took its toll. Los Alamitos got six points off turnovers during that run.

Ryan Staniec, playing with the flu, scored seven in the final three minutes to keep the Griffins in front. Ali Ton made four free throws in the last 45 seconds to clinch the victory.

Until the final five minutes, the game had belonged to Gardner, a 6-foot-6 senior guard. He scored 20 points in the first half and had 33 in the game. Gardner made 14 of 23 shots, including four three-pointers, and had eight rebounds.

But he suffered from lack of support. Brian Johnson’s layup with 4 minutes 41 seconds left in the second quarter was the first basket by a Brave player other than Gardner.

Los Alamitos, meanwhile, had more balance. Staniec scored 19 points and Tim Lin, who also played despite the flu, scored 17. Jerem Vandervoet scored 11 points and Ton 10.