After winning nine games in the preseason and finishing third place in the Bosco Tech Tournament, the Diamond Bar boys basketball team has experienced many impressive showings and a few duds in this Palomares League play. With an overall record of 11-10 and a league record of 2-3, the Brahmas are currently tied for third place in league.

Prior to league play, the Brahmas faced rival Walnut Mustangs on Jan. 7 in the“Blackout-Whiteout game” with the DB fans wearing black while the Walnut crowd wearing white. The game was lopsided at first as the Mustangs held an early double digit lead, but the Brahmas made a 13 point comeback in the last minutes of the third quarter. DB, however, fell short 84-76.

The team bounced back the next game with a 73-62 win against the South Hills Huskies. However, against the Claremont Wolfpack, the Brahmas experienced their first dud of league play; the Brahmas struggled on offense and lost 75-50.

DB’s most impressive showing so far in the season came on the road against the Bonita Bearcats. The Bearcats, known for their outside shooting and their home-court advantage, were favored to win. However, behind the play of senior co-captain Brandon Rice’s 25 points and senior guard Tyler Ginyard’s 21 points and 10 assists, the Brahmas upset Bonita 90-82, ending the Bearcat’s undefeated home record.

“Rice and Ginyard play well together. They always play well with the team,” coach Henry Frierson said.

On Jan. 22, the Brahmas, one game out of first place, faced the Glendora Tartans. With a few minutes left in the fourth quarter and down 35-21, DB made a 12-2 run to cut the led to four. However, the comeback was not enough as the Tartans came out as the victors in a 39-33 league match.

In every game, the Brahmas have the same strategies. Defensively, the team likes to keep opponents out of the key. After each basket. the Brahmas would implement a full court pressure and put their best defender on the opponent team’s ball handler. Offensively, the 6-5 Rice is the main focal point of the team. When the center is covered, the Brahmas like to drive around or pass the ball around the perimeter.

“We have a lot of areas to improve in. A lot of them. We need to improve a lot on the defensive end,” coach Frierson said.