January 29, 2015 Page 5 Leuzinger Sits Atop Pioneer After Win Over North By Joe Snyder, photos by Joe Snyder Leuzinger High’s boys’ basketball team is alone in first place in the Pioneer League after pulling away for a 69-58 home victory over North Torrance last Friday. The Olympians, who improved to 10-10 overall and 4-0 in league, started off slowly but outscored the Saxons 21-14 and led throughout most of the contest before pulling away by outscoring North 18-8 in the fourth period. North, which fell to 9-11 overall and 2-2 in Pioneer action, started quickly in grabbing an early 7-0 lead and led 20-14 after the first quarter. Leuzinger took a 35-34 halftime edge. The second half was mostly a see-saw battle with several lead changes. The Olympians continued to lead by one point (51-50) after three periods. Early in the final quarter in a very physical game, a technical foul was called on North head coach Luke Duperron with Leuzinger leading 55-54. That enabled Davion Newton to convert on two free throws. After the Olympians received the ball, Davonte Carr scored to give the Olympians a five-point edge. Leuzinger went on to lead by as many as 12 points (66-54) shortly after Duperron attempted to dispute another call that led to his second technical and an ejection. The Olympians were not at their best from the free throw line but the 27 total fouls called on the Saxons enabled Leuzinger to convert on 19 of 37 from the charity line. “It was a very intense game,” Leuzinger head coach Ali Parvaz said. “My guys did a great job. It was a very physical game. We were down 7-0 but didn’t panic. We prepared and came back. It was a learning curve.” The Olympians had good scoring depth with five in double figures. Leading the squad was Davion Crowder with 16 points. Devin Newton was close behind with 15 points. Darrion Williams and Carr added 13 apiece and Christian Odionu chipped in 10. North was led by Ryan Burnett with 12 points. Leuzinger sought to finish the first half of league unbeaten at 5-0 when it hosted Centennial High from Compton Wednesday. The Olympians start the second round of Pioneer action at West Torrance Friday at 7:30 p.m. Leuzinger, then, hosts Torrance next Wednesday at the same time. In the first round on January 16, the Olympians slipped past the host Tartars 60-59. Leuzinger defeated West 52-40 on January 14 at Leuzinger. Lawndale Crushes El Segundo Lawndale High’s boys’ basketball team proved overwhelming to host El Segundo with a 73-32 Ocean League blowout last Friday. The Cardinals, who are 12-6 overall and 3-0 in league, wasted no time on the Eagles with commanding leads of 24-2 after the first quarter and 39-8 at halftime. Chmezie Metu led Lawndale with 17 points. The Cardinals’ league game at Beverly Hills, which was expected to be an Ocean showdown between the league’s top two teams slated for January 21, was postponed until last Monday. Lawndale hosted Centinela Valley School District rival Hawthorne Wednesday and visit Culver City Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Cardinals will have a Fairfax State Preview Showcase game against small schools power Price Christian High from the Los Angeles Crenshaw District Saturday at 2 p.m. before resuming league at Santa Monica next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Earlier in league, Lawndale recorded two easy wins over the Centaurs 70-27 and the Vikings 89-65. Inglewood Splits Games Inglewood High’s boys’ basketball team is 2-2 in the Bay League and 10-10 overall a 60-55 loss to Mira Costa on January 20 and a 50-38 victory over Peninsula Friday, both at Inglewood. In the Sentinels’ victory over the Panthers, Terrell Gomez led the scoring with 23 points. Inglewood visited crosstown rival Morningside, which stunned host Mira Costa 64-59 last Friday, Wednesday and will be at home against Redondo in another Bay showdown Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Sentinels host Palos Verdes next Tuesday at the same time. Leuzinger Girls Fal to North; Top LACES Leuzinger High’s girls’ basketball team picked up a 60-54 non-league victory over L.A. Center of Enriched Studies in the Narbonne Showcase Classic last Saturday in Harbor City. Tajaheray McMahan led the Olympians (10-14 overall, 0-4 in the Pioneer League) with 16 points, four assists and three steals. Kaylin Brown added 14 points and five steals. Uheina Tukutau had 13 rebounds and three steals, and Precious Onwuka contributed 11 rebounds and two steals. In Pioneer League play last Friday at Leuzinger, the Olympians fell to first place North Torrance 75-58. Brooke Scott led Leuzinger with 19 points, followed by Kaylin Brown with 14 and McMahon with 11. The Saxons (16-1 overall and 4-0 in league) were led by Brittany McPherson with 24 points and Ryley Kamiya with 23. North is currently ranked second in the CIF-Southern Section Division IIIAA. After hosting Compton Centennial Wednesday, Leuzinger is at West Torrance Friday and at home against Torrance next Wednesday, both games starting at 6 p.m. Local Gridders Shine at Lions Game Several local football standouts played in last Saturday’s 51st Annual West Torrance Lions All-Star Classic at Mira Costa High. The game was easily won by the White Stars over the Blues by a record 44-8 blowout. The 44 points broke the previous record of 43 set two years ago by the Blue team in its 43-13 rout of the Whites. One of the keys for the Whites was Inglewood’s Kendric Johnson who caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Torrance quarterback Vincent Huey with 2:55 left before halftime that gave the Whites a 20-0 lead. Johnson caught seven passes for 70 yards. Shortly afterward, Leuzinger wide receiver Nathaniel Vaughn caught a 40-yard pass that gave the Blues a first-down-and-goal at the White six-yard line. A few players later, Carson quarterback Devante King scored the only Blue TD on a one-yard run, than added the two-point conversion on a run. Morningside running back Chris Williams also had a few good runs and Hawthorne linebacker Saladin Davis had some key tackles. Cougar standout Paris McDaniel also had a few good plays. All were on the Blue squad. Leading 20-8, the Whites pulled away, outscoring the Blues 24-0. • Leuzinger High’s Davonte Carr shoots above North Torrance defenders in last Friday’s Pioneer League boys’ basketball game. The Olympians defeated the Saxons 69-58. Leuzinger visits West Torrance Friday at 7:30 p.m. Leuzinger wide receiver Nathaniel Vaughn prepares to catch the ball for a big gain that set up the Blue team’s only touchdown in last Saturday’s West Torrance Lions’ All-Star Football Classic. Preparing to tackle Vaughn for the White stars is Inglewood’s Lamont Stevenson. The Whites rolled over the Blues 44-8. Leuzinger High’s Cheyenne Tannan shoots under pressure of North Torrance players in last Friday’s Pioneer League girls’ basketball game. The Olympians lost to the Saxons 75-58. Leuzinger visits West Torrance Friday at 6 p.m. North Torrance’s Eric Baker attempts a three-point basket in last Friday’s Pioneer League boys’ basketball game against Leuzinger. The Saxons lost to the Olympians 69-58. North hosts Centennial Friday at 7:30 p.m.
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