times games of the week for Friday

SoCal High School & Prep Report

Key Games: What's Coming Up & Who Is The
LA Times Hyping?--(January 29, 1998)

As a part of its newly improved prep basketball coverage, the LA Times' various editions now has previews of upcoming "Games of the Week". Times staff writers Gary Klein and Paul McLeod are doing a great job, Klein covering LA and McLeod in Orange County. Here are their takes on this weeks' "Games of the Week". The first is one that we've been pumping up here at SoCalHoops: Compton v. Compton Dominguez at the Poly-Artesia Winter Classic this Saturday night at the Pyramid at Long Beach State. This is a game which could actually be a prelude to the Southern Section Championship in Division II-AA. Another in LA is Los Angeles High v. Westchester, a great matchup, which could actually be a prelude to the City 4A finals. The others are from Orange County, Canyon at Villa Park and the rematch of Brea Olinda and Magnolia. If you're anywhere near these events you won't want to miss them. Here's the Times' view:

LA Games of the Week:

*WHO: Los Angeles (15-4, 5-0) v. Westchester (16-3)

*WHEN: Friday 7:30 PM

*WHERE: Los Angeles High

From Gary Klein at the Times:

Only time will tell if the Los Angeles High boys' basketball team is a serious contender for the 4-A title. But the Normans have already proved to be the most entertaining group in the City.

Last Friday, L.A. High put on its usual show in defeating Manual Arts, 92-80, at L.A. High. Forward Deon Green and guard Leroy Dawson each scored 31 points as the Normans beat the Toilers, who were 17-2 before the game. Next for L.A. High, 15-4 overall and 5-0 in the Coastal Conference, is powerful Westchester on Friday at home. "We're exactly where we hoped we would be," said Dawson, who made seven three-point shots against Manual Arts. "We're underrated, but we're tough enough to compete with anyone. Other teams better watch out for us in the playoffs."

Opponents are still trying to figure out the best way to stop Green, who might be the City's best at finishing a play. Green has scored a high percentage of his points on baskets--and free throws--made after drawing contact on drives to the hoop. Against Manual Arts, he had three key three-point plays down the stretch. "It gets kind of rough when you're getting hit, but I just try to stay focused," Green said. "That's what we need to do against Westchester. This is the game we've been waiting for all year." L.A. High Coach John Brooker agreed. "We knew we would have a good team, but this is a chance to really see where we stand," Brooker said. "The kids are ready. It should be quite a show."

* * * * *

*WHO: COMPTON (18-3) vs. COMPTON DOMINGUEZ (13-3)

* WHEN: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., at Long Beach State.

* MATCHUP: Dominguez, the state's top-ranked team, has the higher profile, but Compton is on the rise and might have the ability to knock off the Dons.

* * * *

Orange County Games of the Week:

*WHO: Canyon at Villa Park

* WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday

*WHERE: at Villa Park

Canyon, the Century League favorite led by New Mexico-bound Andrew Gaulden and his 20.3-point average, started with three consecutive league losses. It desperately needs a win against the league's co-leader. Alan Verzani (18.8 ppg) has been a mainstay for Villa Park, which upended Canyon, 59-54, the first time around.

*WHO: Brea Olinda at Magnolia

*WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday

*WHERE: at Magnolia/Anaheim

In their first meeting, No. 8 Magnolia upset No. 3 Brea, 79-70. Magnolia's Zamiro Bennem (34 points in first meeting) is headed to UC Irvine. Chris McMillian (25 points) of Brea has committed to Wyoming.