BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Cunningham’s 38 Points Lift Los Alamitos

Senior Jason Cunningham tied a career-high with 38 points and also had 23 rebounds as Los Alamitos defeated Katella, 79-65, in an Empire League game Friday at Katella.

Cunningham, a 6-foot-5 senior, had 14 points in the third quarter as Los Alamitos took the lead. Katella outscored Los Alamitos, 17-14, in the first quarter and led, 31-29, at the half. Los Alamitos (11-8, 3-0 in league) then outscored the Knights, 18-8, to take command.

Brian Carlson scored 27 points for Katella (5-8, 1-2).

In other Empire League games:

El Dorado 72, Cypress 58--Mike Johnson had 22 points and five three-pointers, and John Simonsen had 14 points for visiting El Dorado (11-7, 2-1). Vince Laguana had 18 points and Chad Triplett 14 for Cypress (1-2 in league).

Esperanza 73, Loara 32--Matt Kordik scored 15 points and Mike Thimgan, a sophomore, scored 13 and Randy Wilson 10 to lead the Aztecs (9-10, 2-1) at home. Esperanza led, 48-16, at halftime. Loara is 0-3 in league play.

In the Sea View League:

Tustin 53, Saddleback 49--Jentry Moore scored 10 points and Tab Reid 16 to lead visiting Tustin (13-6, 3-0). Jason Register scored 20 points for Saddleback (10-7, 2-1).

Newport Harbor 89, University 79--Justin McIntee had 34 points and nine rebounds for host Newport Harbor (10-7, 2-1). Eric Vallely had 25 points, including five three-pointers, and Mark McAnlis had 18 points and nine assists for the Sailors. Luis Venegas had a game-high 37 points and six three-pointers for University (8-9, 0-3).

In the South Coast League:

Capistrano Valley 70, El Toro 33--Steve Ransom scored 14 points as four Cougar players scored in double figures. Tom Airey (11), Corey Kost (10) and Matt Moore (10) led Capistrano Valley (3-0 in league), the second-ranked team in the county, to a 26-13 halftime lead and the Cougars were never threatened. Scott Senik led El Toro (5-12, 1-2) with 12 points.

Irvine 73, Dana Hills 35--Jado Lee scored 19 and Brian Linsenmayer had 11 points for visiting Irvine (16-3, 3-0). Kevin Baden led Dana Hills (1-15, 0-3) with seven points.

In the Olympic League:

Orange Lutheran 78, Whittier Christian 71--Chad Mihr led Orange Lutheran (7-8, 3-0 in league) with 17 points. Teammate Lenny Gavin had 14 points with six in the fourth quarter. Jeff Rutter led Whittier Christian (8-7, 2-2) with a game-high 22 points. Whittier Christian’s Mark Berokoff had 21.

Brethren Christian 54, Capistrano Valley Christian 36--Chiron Hart scored 21 points and Chris Fry added 10 for host Brethren Christian (12-2, 3-0). Brethren Christian led, 21-19, at the half, but outscored Capistrano Valley Christian, 33-17, in the second half.

In the Academy League:

Liberty Christian 71, St. Michael’s Prep 61--Mike Hoggatt scored 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Minutemen (9-5, 1-1) outscored the Pioneers, 30-14, in the final eight minutes, overcoming a 47-41 deficit.

Toby Curto added 15 for Liberty Christian. Hoggatt also had 21 rebounds.

Matt Schellinkhout led St. Michael’s Prep with 16. Scott Vu and Jocques Wright each had 14.