January 22, 2015 Page 5 Lawndale Rolls Over Culver City, Santa Monica By Joe Snyder Photos by Joe Snyder Lawndale High’s boys’ basketball team began the Pioneer League with a clear statement after routs of Culver City and Santa Monica last week at home. Against the Centaurs on January 14, the Cardinals smothered the Centaurs 70-27. Last Friday, Lawndale pulled away from the Vikings 89-65. Against Santa Monica, which fell to 6-11 against a mostly very tough schedule, the Cardinals started and finished fast. Lawndale (11-7 overall and 2-0 in Ocean play) rolled to a 22-8 first quarter lead but the usually tough Vikings got as close as seven points on a pair of occasions, including 47-40 early in the third quarter. From there, Lawndale, behind a game-high 29 points by six-foot-10 University of Southern California-bound center-forward Chimezie Metu, amassed 51 second half points, 27 of those in the fourth period, to 38 for Santa Monica. Metu got things started with 11 points in the first quarter and eight each in the second and third periods, getting inside on numerous occasions. D’lano Beckles added 19 points and Deandre Snedecar chipped in 17. Against a smaller Culver City team, the Cardinals led by four (14-10) after the first quarter before holding the Centaurs to just 17 points in the second, third and fourth periods. Already leading 34-19 at halftime, Lawndale outscored Culver 21-2 in the third quarter as the rout was on. Metu sparked the Cardinals with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Last night, Lawndale was tested at Beverly Hills, which is also 2-0 in league after wins over El Segundo and Hawthorne last week. The Cardinals visit El Segundo Friday at 7:30 p.m. Lawndale hosts Hawthorne next Wednesday at the same time. Inglewood Splits in Bay The Bay League boys’ basketball season started with a bang as Inglewood High visited Redondo in a battle of two of the top South Bay powers on January 13. The Sea Hawks, who were ranked fourth in California, finished an outstanding preseason slate with an 11-4 record with a premiere schedule that included wins over other top teams in Chino Hills, Corona Centennial and Putnam City West from Oklahoma for the title in a premiere Las Vegas Bishop Gorman Tarkanian Classic. Redondo, though, lost its final two preseason contest to nationally ranked Los Angeles Fairfax in the San Diego Torrey Pines Tournament final and Torrance Bishop Montgomery, then lost one of its top players in six-foot-nine sophomore center-forward Billy Preston who opted to transfer out of the school. The Sentinels appeared that they would take advantage of it in taking a 22-18 first quarter lead, behind several inside baskets. Redondo, though, turned things around outscoring Inglewood 19-7 in the second period to take a 37-29 halftime lead and the Sents were unable to get back in a 74-63 loss. Behind junior guard Leland Green, who led all scorers with 27 points, the Sea Hawks, who improved to 14-4 overall and 2-0 in is 3-0 in the Pioneer League after topping West Torrance and Torrance last week. At Leuzinger on January 14, the Olympians defeated the Warriors 52-40. At Torrance last Friday, Leuzinger edged the Tartars 60-59. Davonte Carr led Leuzinger (9-9, 3-0) with 12 points, Darrian Williams and Davion Crowder each had 11 points. Williams led the Olympians with 20 points in their win over West. Leuzinger will have a critical two games as it hosts North Torrance, also 2-0 in league after wins over Compton Centennial and West last week, then remains at home against Centennial next Wednesday. Both league games begin at 7:30 p.m. Hawthorne Falls to Beverly Hills Hawthorne High’s boys’ basketball team lost at Beverly Hills 90-62 in Ocean League play last Friday. Cesar Erazo led the Cougars (4-14, 0-2) with 15 points and Ksaun Curry put in 14. In their league opener at Santa Monica on January 14, the Cougars fell to the Vikings 66-42. Hawthorne hosted El Segundo on Wednesday and is at home against Culver City Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Cougars visit Centinela Valley School District rival Lawndale next Wednesday at the same time. • league after a 68-41 victory at Morningside last Friday and a 58-57 win over Foothills Christian from El Cajon on Saturday at Cerritos College, went on to lead by as many as 20 points early in the fourth quarter. Inglewood got as close as eight points but Redondo was able to put the game away on key free throws and baskets. Terrell Gomez led the Sentinels with 22 points, followed by Darae Elliott with 17. Gomez scored 14 of those points in the final period, including a three-point basket, two two-pointers and seven free throws. Last Friday, Inglewood evened its league record to 1-1 and overall mark to 9-9 by routing host Palos Verdes 82-41. The Sentinels dominated the entire game against the Sea Kings, who fell to 5-12 overall and 0-2 in league. Gomez led Inglewood with 22 points and eight assists, while Elliott contributed 14 points. The Sentinels have two home league games this week against two other very tough teams. Inglewood hosted Mira Costa, which is also 2-0 in Bay action after a thrilling 75-72 overtime victory at Peninsula last Friday, then faces Peninsula Friday at 7:30 p.m. Inglewood, then, will have its cross town rivalry at Morningside next Tuesday at the same time. Leuzinger Goes Unbeaten Leuzinger High’s boys’ basketball team Inglewood High’s Terrell Gomez dribbles ball as he is guarded by Redondo’s Isaiah Jackson in last week’s Bay League boys’ basketball opener. The Sentinels fell to the Sea Hawks 74-63, but rolled over Palos Verdes 82-41 last Friday. Inglewood’s Josh Conley shoots above Redondo’s Morgan Means in last week’s Bay League boys’ basketball opener. The Sentinels lost to the Sea Hawks and defeated Palos Verdes. Inglewood hosts Peninsula Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Hawthorne_012215_FNL_lorez
To see the actual publication please follow the link above