City228.htm

SoCal High School & Prep Report

City Section Playoffs: All The Semifinal
Game Results--(February 28, 1998)

4-A Division Semifinals

Westchester 93, Crenshaw 78

We already featured a report on this game last night, and here's the link. We'll put up a story from Jason Day, our trusty and trusted friend just as soon as he can complete it, but until then, and just so no one feels slighted, here's some more information, and this one if from our friend Gary Klein, at the LA Times. Even though the Times copyrights this stuff, they only archive it for a very short while and then it's inaccessible unless you can figure out their bizzare search system, which also costs money to retrieve articles. So in the interest of "fair use" and a non-profit love of the game, here's Gary's article. Of course if you're reading this today, go out and buy a Times and support Gary's salary. He needs it:

Westchester High might have more players capable of the spectacular than any other team in the state. And Friday night against five-time defending City Section 4-A champion Crenshaw, the Comets' athleticism was on display at Cal State Dominguez Hills. USC-bound forward David Bluthenthal had several rim-rattling dunks and point guard Brandon Granville put on a passing and ballhandling clinic for the crowd of more than 5,000. But Westchester's 93-78 semifinal victory was largely a result of outstanding free-throw shooting during the pivotal second quarter. The Comets made 15 of 18 attempts from the line during the quarter, including 12 during a 16-4 run that turned a 22-22 tie into a 38-26 lead with two minutes left in the first half. The Comets extended their lead to 15 points by halftime and 23 early in the third quarter and never looked back. Westchester (25-3) will play Manual Arts, a 61-46 winner Friday night over Fremont, next Friday in the championship game at the Sports Arena. Crenshaw (20-3), the two-time defending state Division I champion, eliminated Westchester from the playoffs twice in the previous three years. Last year, the Cougars defeated Westchester, 87-70, in the 4-A championship game. Bluthenthal did much of the damage, scoring 31 points. Guard Brandon Hawkins scored 33 points for Crenshaw, but the 16-time City champions struggled all night from the perimeter and got too far behind to catch the surging Comets. Hawkins scored 14 points in a frenetic first quarter that ended in a 20-20 tie. But Bluthenthal and Chris Osborne each made four free throws, Albert Miller made two and Granville added two more during a four-minute stretch of the second quarter. The Comets led, 47-32, at halftime. Westchester started the third quarter with an 8-0 run to go up by 23 and the Cougars never got closer than 12 points.

Manual Arts 61, Fremont 46

Manual Arts High divided and conquered Fremont in a 61-46 victory Friday night in the Los Angeles City Section 4-A boys' semifinal game before 2,200 at Los Angeles Southwest College. Officials stopped the game with 1:19 to play after a hard foul by Fremont's Shamaud Johnson on Manual Arts' Rickey Duff as he drove to the basket had players from both teams rushing onto the floor. No punches were thrown. The Toilers (26-4) spread the floor to attack Fremont's defense. Leading, 41-37, going into the fourth quarter, Manual Arts went on an 18-7 run to go up, 59-44, with 1:52 to play. James Wright had two steals during the stretch, and on both he fed teammates for baskets. The first was a lob to Cuentin Witherspoon, who finished with a dunk. Wright scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half to lead the Toilers, and Ronnell Mingo had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Fremont (28-5).

3-A Division Semifinals

Birmingham 76, San Pedro 65

6'-3" Stanley Fletcher of Birmingham scored 15 points in the third quarter as the Braves opened a 10-point lead. Fletcher's senior season will come to an end next Saturday in the most classic of settings--a game against San Fernando Valley rival Sylmar for the 3-A title. The Braves (18-9) had some nervous moments, particularly when Evans was forced to the bench after picking up his fourth foul with 5:49 left in the third quarter. Birmingham had taken a 41-29 lead behind a 2-3 zone defense that frustrated three-point bomber Allen Kordich of San Pedro. But with Evans unavailable, San Pedro (8-19) made its move. Kordich hit two three-pointers during an 8-0 run to help the Pirates close to 41-37. Sensing his team needed offensive help immediately, Fletcher delivered. He scored 10 of the Braves' next 11 points. When Evans returned with 6:55 left, Birmingham was on top, 52-47. Bennett gambled in putting him back in the game so early. Evans and Jerome Riley, who had 12 points, provided stability in the fourth quarter during San Pedro's frantic attempt to come back. Point guard Fahim Hassankhail was also a critical figure. He scored just two points, but his ball handling against the Pirates' full-court press gave the opportunity for Evans and Fletcher to score. Kordich scored 27 points for San Pedro.

Sylmar 59, University 53

George Wrighster, a transfer from Buckley, scored 16 points and Jeremiah Turner added 14 to help Spartans earn a spot in the 3-A championship game. Chris Ferguson of University High made six three-point baskets and finished with 22 points to rally the Warriors (11-15), who made only seven of 30 shots in the first half when they fell behind, 25-20. University tied the score, 45-45, with a basket with 6:16 left, but Ferguson was held scoreless the final six minutes and Sylmar (18-9) pulled away for the victory.