san fernando v. Birmingham

SoCal High School & Prep Report

City Section Games: Friday's
San Fernando v. Birmingham--(February 1, 1998)

NORTH VALLEY LEAGUE

San Fernando 67, Birmingham 63

Victor Purnell is one proud papa. His boy Tyrone is becoming the star that his brothers weren't at Taft or Cleveland, and with size 17 shoes, huge hands and a long wing-span, Tyrone Purnell of San Fernando High is quickly becoming a 6'-8" force in the low post. The former Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks All Star Rec & Parks league player, is still developing his shot, working on his low post moves and in short still learning how to play the game. And believe it or not, he was once a swimmer, but none of his teammates believe that one. They just can't picture him in Speedos, even if he does wear goggles in both sports.

And there are times when, like Friday against Birmingham, when Purnell shows just how dominant he can be, scoring 15 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and blocking five shots in San Fernando's 67-63 North Valley League victory. Purnell scored a basket with one second left before halftime on a lob pass to give San Fernando, which is now 19-2 overall and 5-0 in league, a 37-30 halftime lead. He opened the third quarter with a dunk and added another to help the Tigers take a 15-point lead. Birmingham which dropped to 13-7 overall and 3-3 in league, kept battling behind Stanley Fletcher who finished with 24 points, but the Braves couldn't overcome Purnell's impressive third quarter when he contributed eight points and intimidated players with his size.

Devin Montgomery scored 21 points and Mike Page added 12 points and 16 rebounds for a San Fernando team that played without starting forward Luis De La Rosa, who was absent because of a family illness.

San Fernando probably doesn't have any real chance of not winning their league, and may be the possible No. 1 seed for the City Section 3-A playoffs. The Tigers aren't playing as well as they did during Christmas time, when they almost upset Simi Valley in the Hart tournament final. But Cady isn't concerned, since they're finding ways to win. And a win is, after all a win.