east valley 128

SoCal High School & Prep Report

City Section: Wild East Valley--Grant
Loses, NoHo Wins--(January 29, 1998)

The East Valley League, which is the 4-A Division of the Valley Pac-8 Conference, is getting wilder and wilder as the season progresses. Wednesday's games marked the opening of "League" play, as opposed to "Conference" play, and there was at least one upset, and in the other, at least some upset fans. Here's what happened yesterday.

First, the scores:

Monroe 87, Grant 74
Sylmar 69, Poly 66
North Hollywood 71, Canoga Park 53

Now the details:

North Hollywood 71, Canoga Park 53

Things got way out of hand at the Canoga Park v. North Hollywood game yesterday in a game played at NoHo. Canoga Park, the defending league champions, virtually assured themselves that they wouldn't repeat. But there were some fireworks having nothing to do with basketball.

The low point in what had been a close game initially in the first quarter, but which had turned into a blowout by the second quarter, came midway through the third quarter with the Huskies holding a 56-28 lead. Following a timeout, a fan got into a verbal and physical confrontation with official Mark Bosteder. It was uncertain whether the fan was from North Hollywood or Canoga, but given that it's unlikely a NoHo fan would be that upset with NoHo leading by 28 points, it's likely the person in question was from Canoga. But in any event, the fan rushed onto the court and there was a brief scuffle. The fan immediately left the gym and after a 10-minute delay, the game was resumed. No players or coaches from either school were involved. Canoga Park assistant principal Dennis Thompson said statements would be taken from the two officials and several Canoga Park fans who witnessed the incident and a report would be filed with the City Section. Bosteder declined comment after the game.

With the win, NoHo, which is 14-7 overall, moved into a tie for the East Valley League lead with Grant, and both teams are 4-1 after Grant's surprising upset loss to Monroe, a team which has not been doing well at all this season. And for it's part, Canoga Park lost any real chance at first place with the loss. Canoga Park, which has a fondness for pushing the ball up the floor, was beaten at its own game by the Huskies. Canoga Park is now 3-2 in league, and is only 6-13 on the season.

North Hollywood jumped out to a 15-3 lead in the first quarter. But Canoga came storming back with a 13-0 run to go ahead by a score of 16-15. Nick Aguirre of Canoga hit three three-point baskets late in the quarter, and finished with four in the game. But Canoga's lead was short-lived. North Hollywood scored the last five points of the quarter, to go ahead 21-16.

In the second quarter it only got worse: Canoga only hit two of 16 shots in the entire second quarter. Meanwhile, Keron Wilkerson was just on fire, scoring 14 of his 34 points in the quarter, including 10 during a 14-0 run. And Canoga Park just freaked out, as they kept missing attempt after attempt at making three-pointers by Rene Castaneda and Mike Bell, which did little more than miss wildly. At the half, North Hollywood had scored 20 more points to Canoga's 2, and North Hollywood led at the half, 41-24.

Could it get better for NoHo and worse for Canoga in the second half? You bet. In the third quarter, Canoga had 7 turnovers, and DeJon Lee, a 5'-9" point guard even managed two breakaway dunks for NoHo.

In all, NoHo forced 24 turnovers, while committing just three in the second and third quarters. Lee finished with 18 points and center Jonathan Hicks added eight points and six rebounds. Canoga Park, which played without starters Castaneda and Arthur Beglarian in a victory over Sylmar last week, is now playing without Vlady Sandoval, who was the only returning starter from last season's league championship team.

Canoga Park coach Turner would only say that Sandoval has taken a "leave of absence" and may return later in the season, but would not elaborate further. And although they didn't start, Castaneda and Beglarian both played extensively. Aguirre had 16 points and Beglarian added 10 for Canoga Park.

* * * * *

Monroe 87, Grant 74

Grant was just flat-out upset yesterday. Monroe, with is only 5-12 on the season, placed Grant in the unenviable position of being tied with North Hollywood at 4-1 for the league champinoship, and virtually insuring that the winner of the Grant v. NoHo contest wins the league title. Monroe "improved" to 2-3 in league competition (which was really "conference" competition prior to Wednesday.)

Monroe basically took over this game in the second-quarter and never looked back.
The Vikings trailed, 14-10, after the first quarter, but outscored the Grant Lancers 25-15, in the second quarter. Victor Hall scored 27 points, Eric Bush had 20 and Damian Ritter added 18 points and seven assists for the Vikings. Bush scored 12 of his points in the second quarter.
Gilbert Arenas scored 25 points and Krishna Evans had 21 for the Lancers, who defeated Monroe, 76-61, in last month's Birmingham tournament.

With the loss, Grant's record is now 13-7 overall and their league/conference record is 4-1.

* * * * *

Sylmar 69, Poly 66

George Wrighster made two free throws with 12 seconds left for the Spartans in a Valley Pac-8 Conference game at Sylmar. Brandon Jacobs scored 17 and Wrighster added 15 for Sylmar (10-9, 3-2). John Gilliard scored 20 points for Poly (8-11, 2-3).