Cleveland Boys Win Home Opener
January 13, 2010
Jack Pollon
The annual Taft of Woodland Hills vs. Cleveland of Reseda boys basketball games usually have a bearing on winning the West Valley League championship.
Cleveland took a big step toward still making that a reality with an impressive 65-55 victory against El Camino Real of Woodland Hills in a league opener for both teams Wednesday.
Guard play was huge factor as Jason Johnson and Michigan-transfer Jaylen Bland dominated with 19 and 17 points respectively.
Johnson continually penetrated into the paint and would have easy layups or dish off to open teammates on the baseline.
Johnson made nine of 11 free throws, including four down the strecth to keep the Conquistadores (8-8, 0-1) at bay.
"We talked about how this is second season for us," Johnson said.
El Camino Real had trouble early as leading scorer Tre Holden picked up two fouls and Temjae Singleton was its only scoring option.
Singelton scored 11 points in the first half to help ECR only trail by four at halftime but Cleveland got three baskets from Bland and a 3-pointer from Alemany-transfer Julian Hernandez to push the lead to 11 points.
Holden finished with 15 points but never got into a groove and Singleton, who finished with 20 points couldn't do it by himself. No other player scored in double figures for ECR.
"I thought they would be able to execute more but we played well especially defensively," Johnson said.
Meanwhile, Cleveland received eight points from sophomore Taft-transfer J.R. Williams and seven from lightning quick freshman guard Kody Riewthong.
"That was great group effort out there," Cleveland coach Osiris Nalls said. "We actually applied what we do in practice in the game. We have a lot of new guys on this team and that might have been our best game playing all together and realizing each others strengths."