Woodbridge rolls to opening round CIF 3A playoff home victory over Rowland

Jason Briggs of Woodbridge defends against Rowland in the opening round of the CIF playoffs. (Photos: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Woodbridge High School’s boys basketball team led from the start and defeated Rowland 60-30 in the opening round of the CIF 3A playoffs Wednesday night at Woodbridge.

Woodbridge moves on to the second round to host El Dorado Friday night.

To see additional photos, click on the first picture:

Stephen Lamp of Woodbridge was the game-high scorer.

Woodbridge players head to the bench during a timeout.

Stephen Lamp of Woodbridge looks to make a pass to teammate JC Schindler.

Stephen Lamp scored 18 points and made three 3-pointers and Jason Briggs and Jaiden Sabino had 11 points each to lead Woodbridge (20-9). Charlton Kanginan had 10 points to lead Rowland.

“The guys came together in the second half,” said Woodbridge Coach Steve Scoggin. “Coming off the league championship, we were just a step slow in tonight in the first half. Once we kind of got together as a unit, that’s when we started spreading. But you got to give Rowland credit, they came out and played hard. They won every 50-50 ball, they got offensive rebounds, they’re making shots, they’re tough and scrappy and we hadn’t matched that intensity and we didn’t do it until the fourth quarter.”

Woodbridge led 26-17 at halftime, then broke the game open by outscoring Rowland 18-6 in the third quarter.

” …. Coach told us not to take anyone lightly, so we came in and played Woodbridge basketball and took care of business,” added Lamp. “I’ve been feeling good lately ever since the end of our league championship so I just want to keep the momentum going and keep playing like this.”

The biggest cheers of the night from the fans, including Woodbridge students came when freshman Garrett DiCostanzo and senior Rustam Mihhailov came into the game late and sank 3-pointers.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com