High School Playoff Notebook
Jack Pollon
March 11, 2009
Revenge will be on the minds of three teams tonight in the semifinals of the Southern Regional state boys basketball playoffs.
For Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood, it will be the team Gahr of Cerritos is coming after. The Wolverines beat the Gladiators (18-15) for the Division III-A championship last Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
"It's a tough situation but we have been through it before," Harvard-Westlake coach Greg Hilliard. "The CIF use to do it with Compton Centennial and Artesia a few years back with us. I think they like to see the rematches. The games create interest. On one hand it is tough to beat the same in such a short time span but we are looking it at it like Gahr has too be thinking why do we have to play these guys again."
The Wolverines will need strong play from Austin Kelly, Erik Swoope and sophomore Damiene Cain to beat the Gahr again. Cain was in foul trouble in the championship but Kelly, Swoope and several key role players rose to the occasion.
"If we get Damiene going early for us that will be good. He was hampered with foul trouble and he has been a vital guy for us all year," Hilliard said.
THOUSAND OAKS LOOKING TO KEEP ROLLING
The Lancers have revenge on its mind too or at least coach Rich Endres might. Endres was at the helm when Thousand Oaks lost to Loyola of Los Angeles in the 2002 section final.
Thousand Oaks gets another chance tonight hosting the Div. II-A champion Cubs at 7 p.m.
Thousand Oaks has been proving the naysayers wrong all season having won 30 games and upsetting Leuzinger of Los Angeles in the minds of many despite being seeded higher.
The Lancers have been doing it with no real superstsr players and a committment to defense.
"This is a similar team to last year when we won 20 games and went 12-2 in the Marmonte League," Endres said. "The kids have just bought into the philosophy of defense and this team is a little more talented offensively. The offense comes and goes on any given night but defense can be there every night. So far so good I guess."
Endres credits Antonio Lopez as the key cog in a by committee team.
"Antonio seems to always be there making some kind of play for us when we need it. He has been real consistent throughout," Endres said.
To beat the Cubs, Lopez, Chris Carter and Alex Tiffin will all have to contribute.
"They pose a different challenge in that they have size," Endres said. "their guard Miles Cartwright is really good too."
Taft of Wooldand Hills is taking its act on the road facing top-seeded King of Riverside in a Division I game.
King ended Taft's season last year with a one-point win in the regional semifinals after a Larry Drew shot rimmed out at the buzzer.
"It's something I have tried to stay away from making a big deal out of but it might be time to bring it up," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said. "This is a different team but I may use it if I feel the need. We always rise to the occasion in big games so I am not too worried."
JOHNSON COULD BE CLEARED
Taft senior forward De'Sean Johnson was scheduled to meet with doctors yesterday to determine if the 6'5 rebounder can play tonight.
Johnson suffered a herd blow to the head in last Fridays City championship against Westchester of Los Angeles after hitting the floor on a foul.
"We are hoping he is ready to go but it could be a game time decision," Taylor said. "De'Sean would really help us and give us that extra big body to deal with Kawhi Leonard."
Leonard is King's 6'7 San diego St.-bound forward that led the Wolves to a 71-56 upset victory against previously unbeaten Mater Dei of Santa Ana in the Div. I-AA championship.