Walnut shooters come up big vs. DB in White-Out game

Mustang’s Ramos scores 31 in the 63-48 win in the annual rivalry game.

Yusheng Xia, Editor in Chief|January 5, 2016

Despite starting strong in the first quarter of the White-Out basketball game, the Diamond Bar High School Brahmas had no answer to senior Mustang Dwight Ramos down the stretch, losing to the Walnut Mustangs 63-48 yesterday. Ramos led all scorers in the game with 31 points while DBHS junior Malik Corey paced the Brahmas with 16.

The Brahmas had a fast start following tip off, grabbing a 7-2 lead early in the game. However, Walnut came back, going on a 6-0 run and taking its first lead at 8-7. The teams traded buckets before DB retained a slight edge to end the first quarter, 11-9. In the quarter, the Brahmas were able to get to the bucket, scoring eight of their 11 points off drives and free throws.

Walnut began the second quarter with a quick layup against the Brahmas to tie the score at 11-11. Ramos then took over for the Mustangs, scoring seven of Walnut’s nine points to bring the Mustangs on top, 22-18. The Mustangs continued, stretching their lead to 7 points before DB junior Travis Lee drove for a layup while getting fouled, ending Walnut’s run. He made the free throw to complete the three point play and the Brahmas finished the quarter down four at 25-21. Entering halftime, Corey had ten points for DB while Ramos had 11 for Walnut.

However, the third quarter saw Walnut extend its lead following a mixture of strong plays from Ramos and the inability of DB to make its threes. The Brahmas were outscored 16-10 in the third quarter, as Ramos erupted with 12 points, bringing the score to 41-31, with DB down ten.

Sloppy plays for the Brahmas resulted in two quick Mustang baskets to start the fourth and DB found itself in a 14-point deficit with a little over six minutes left in the game. The Brahmas would try desperately to rally back, and a three by Corey cut Walnut’s lead to ten with the score at 46-36. However, the Mustangs went on another 6-0 run to seal the victory and spent much of the last quarter running out the clock, winning the game with a final score of 63-48.

“I thought we missed quite a few shot that we normally hit. We played a really good Walnut team, so I tip my hat off to them,” DB head varsity basketball coach Henry Frierson said.

Frierson stated that an improved offense will help the team win in future games.

“Shooting was the issue. I think it’s the offense….we can put a little bit better effort and shoot a bit better,” Frierson said.