BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Fountain Valley Tips Los Alamitos, Takes Charge in Sunset

Fountain Valley took control of the Sunset League boys’ basketball race with a 61-58 victory over Los Alamitos, the seventh-ranked team in Orange County, Wednesday at Fountain Valley High.

Daniel Keller scored 17 points and Mike Arvesen and Paul Tayyar each added 13 for the unranked Barons (12-5, 4-0 in league). And senior center Phil Domingo, an All-Sunset League selection last season, also made some key plays down the stretch.

Domingo, who had 10 points and 15 rebounds, didn’t take a shot for the first 14 1/2 minutes of the second half. But with 1 minute 20 seconds remaining, Domingo’s basket after an offensive rebound gave Fountain Valley a 56-53 lead.

Los Alamitos (15-5, 3-1) closed within two points, but Jeremy Vandervoet, who had 16 points and eight rebounds, missed from short range. Domingo then grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 30 seconds remaining.

The Barons made five of eight free throws in the final 30 seconds to preserve the victory.

“We just waited too long to start playing,” Los Alamitos Coach Steve Brooks said.

Fountain Valley outscored the Griffins, 23-9, in the opening 12 minutes and led, 32-19, at halftime. Los Alamitos shot 29% (eight for 28) from the field in the first half.

Los Alamitos rallied in the third quarter behind sophomore Travis Strang, who made three of his four three-pointers in the quarter, and point guard Ali Ton (10 points, eight assists).

Los Alamitos outscored Fountain Valley, 15-2, in the final 3:12 of the third quarter to make it 43-40, but Tayyar scored 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter to help the Barons hold on for the victory.