The No. 13, or 2013, signaled bad luck for the Los Alamitos High boys’ basketball program. During that year, which marked the end of the 2012-2013 season, the team failed to capture a ninth straight Sunset League crown. Fountain Valley edged runner-up Los Al, which appears to be back on track during its 2013-2014 campaign.
Indeed, Los Alamitos remained undefeated in Sunset League play last week with victories against Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley during a two-game home stand. It defeated Huntington Beach with a 55-35 triumph on Jan. 31 and then cruised by Fountain Valley with an 88-62 win on Jan. 31.
The Griffins (19-4, 6-0) then encountered the No. 13 again last weekend, but this time the number represented good fortune in the amount of their current win streak. Yes, the Griffins defeated Colony by the score of 57-32 in the Mater Dei Extravaganza to remain undefeated during lucky 2014. In fact, they have not lost since facing Servite in the Tustin Tournament early this season – and yes, that loss occurred during unlucky 2013.
Sophomore Eyassu Worku led the Griffins offense against the Oilers, scoring a team-high 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Senior guard Khalid Washington, who has averaged 16.3 points this year and notched 32 in a single contest, broke into double digits but got into foul trouble with four personals. That limited him to just 15 points.
Washington delivered an impressive performance against the winless Barons, though, making 24 points, which included a trio of 3-pointers. Worku ended that game with 15 points, 6 assists and 3 steals. He also reclaimed scoring leader status against Colony with 16 points. Washington, who once again got into foul trouble with four personals, notched only 9 points.
Forward Jack Kaub earned a double-double. He did the deed with 14 points and 14 rebounds –
Los Alamitos will wrap the season with three more league games – all of them to be played on the road. That run includes a game against runner-up Edison, which trails by just a single game and fell to Los Alamitos with a 64-53 loss.
Los Alamitos must first contend with Marina on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The tipoff will take place at 7 p.m. It then battles Edison and finishes with third-place Newport Harbor.
