Page 4 December 24, 2015 Leuzinger Breezes Past Hawthorne with 17 but no other player scored in double figures. “We have a young team with mostly juniors and one sophomore,” head Cougar coach David Gray said. “We had too many turnovers. We’re a little nervous. The kids got to believe in themselves. Everybody has to score. I need to teach these guys to compete, then we’ll be in a lot more games.” Last Friday, Hawthorne played a nonleague game against Vista del Lago from Moreno Valley but lost 48-42. Brown led the Cougars with 15 points. The Cougars, then, traveled about 550 miles north for the Article and photos by Joe Snyder Under first year head coach Arturo Jones, who spent the past 10 seasons assisting current Redondo High head coach Reggie Morris, Jr. at Leuzinger, Playa del Rey St. Bernard and Redondo, the Olympians’ boys’ basketball team has played well through three quarters but, on several occasions, was unable to make it through the final period. In a non-league rivalry on December 15 against Hawthorne, the Olympians appeared to be headed for a blowout win over the Cougars through the first three quarters. Leuzinger ran off to leads of 45-25 at halftime and 61-33 after three periods. The fourth quarter, though, saw Hawthorne wake up as it got as close as within 10 points. Damani Washington, who led the Olympians with 15 points, converted on four key free throws to help Leuzinger secure a 76-62 victory. Leuzinger, which improved to 5-5, looked impressive as it scored 25 first quarter points to 14 for Hawthorne, which fell to 5-6 after losses to Vista del Lago in non-league and Granite Bay in the Sacramento Tournament. The Olympians continued to dominate the smaller Cougars. In the fourth period, though, Leuzinger’s defense let up and Hawthorne made a last ditch effort with 29 points to 15 for the Olympians, due to its effective fullcourt press defense. A basket by Christian Brown cut Leuzinger’s lead to 72-62 with 52 seconds left in the game. The Olympian lead seemed to be still comfortable but Jones knew he had to make the team be able to play a full four quarters.“We’re not playing 32 minutes of basketball,” Jones said. “We’re just learning. We are a young team. It’s been that way, so far this season. We don’t play well in the fourth quarter.” One thing that pleased Jones was Leuzinger’s depth as five players scored in double figures. Washington led with 15 points. Kavian Fair added 14 points. Terrell Williams chipped in 13 points, followed by Davion Crowder with 11 and Tyler Ridley with 10. Hawthorne, on the other side, had the game’s two highest scorers. Christian Brown led with 27 points, followed by Deris Gibbons Sacramento Tournament but was routed in the first round by Granite Bay 67-32 on Saturday. Hawthorne started out well leading 12-9 after the first quarter and was down 26-22 at halftime. Granite Bay, located east of Sacramento, outscored the Cougars 41-10 in the second half. Leuzinger played in the Oaks Christian Tournament in Westlake Village from last Saturday through Wednesday but results were unavailable. The Olympians will not play, again, until January 2 when they face Brentwood, which they lost in the 13th place final of the Beverly Hills Tournament 59-55 in overtime on December 5, in the Jordan Brand Showcase. Hawthorne’s next game will not be until January 13 when it begins the Ocean League at home against Santa Monica. Morningside Wins Consolation: After losing its opening game of the Titan Pride Classic to eventual champion Dana Hills on December 14 at Pioneer High in Whittier, Morningside High’s boys’ basketball team came back with three consecutive wins to capture the consolation title. The Monarchs won the consolation final over Montebello 62-57 last Saturday. Brandon Anyanusi, who was all-tournament, led with 16 points and 10 rebounds.In the consolation semifinal last Thursday, Morningside rolled over Lakewood Artesia 72-53. The Monarchs started off well with a 19-4 first quarter and were in command all of the way. In the consolation quarterfinal on December 15, Morningside stifled Bell 55- 34. Anyanusi led the Monarchs with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Camairi Smith also chipped in 14 points. Charles Akano contributed 10 points and a team high 18 rebounds. Despite 17 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots from Anyanusi, Morningside lost to Dana Hills 68-60. Khabar finished with 11 points and Charles Akano had 13 rebounds and seven points. The Monarchs begin the San Pedro Pirate Classic against South Torrance Saturday at 4:45 p.m. Sents Win Two in Hawaii: Inglewood High’s boys’ basketball team won two of its first three games in the Maui Invitational last week. The Sentinels began last Thursday by falling short of Robert E. Lee High from Huntsville, Alabama 66-63, but came back with wins over South Anchorage from Alaska 60-28 last Friday and Lahainalula of Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 55-35 on Saturday. In nonleague action at Inglewood on Dec. 11, the Sentinels recorded a 59-46 win over small schools power Price Christian from South Los Angeles and, shortly before leaving to Hawaii, defeating Taft High from Woodland Hills 64-50 on December 15. • Leuzinger High’s Kavon Fair dribbles the ball down court in last week’s non-league boys’ basketball rivalry against Hawthorne. The Olympians defeated the Cougars 76-62. Hawthorne’s Derek Banks goes for a basket in last week’s boys’ basketball cross town rivalry against Leuzinger. Leuzinger High’s Kavon Fair dribbles the ball down court in last week’s non-league boys’ basketball rivalry against Hawthorne. The Olympians defeated the Cougars 76-62.
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