DIVISION I-A ROUNDUP : Carbone’s Three-Pointers Help Los Alamitos Start Fast

Steve Carbone’s three three-point baskets in the first quarter gave Los Alamitos the momentum it needed to defeat Diamond Bar, 81-53, in the Southern Section Division I-A playoffs Friday at Los Alamitos High.

Carbone scored two consecutive three-pointers that gave Los Alamitos an early 12-5 lead. He finished the game with six three-pointers and 24 points. It was the second time this year--third time in his career--the 6-foot-2 junior guard made six three-point baskets.

Los Alamitos (18-9) will play Irvine (22-5) in the second round Tuesday night.

Diamond Bar (17-9) used a trap-zone defense that prevented the Griffins from shooting inside the key in the first half

“It was important that me and Timmy (Lin) got hot (from the three-point line),” Carbone said.

Lin had four three-pointers--three in the first half--and 20 points.

“Our three-pointers made Diamond Bar spread out its defense more, which allowed us to then go to Jason (Cunningham) and Brian (Kadlac),” Carbone said.

Said Los Alamitos Coach Steve Brooks: “We handled the trap very well. Ali (Miller) penetrated and got the ball to Timmy and Steven. We played a good, intelligent game tonight.”

When Diamond Bar adjusted its defense to prevent the Griffins’ three-pointers in the second half, Cunningham got hot and scored 17 of his 21 points. He had five of seven assists in the first half and pulled down 10 rebounds.

For the Brahmas, Keith Van Horn had 19 points, Damon Hendrick scored 18 points and had eight rebounds, and Olin Chamberlain, nephew of former Los Angeles Laker Wilt Chamberlain, scored 13 points.