Boys’ basketball: Birmingham pulls out 97-90 OT win over Taft

Since 2005, winning a West Valley League game against a Derrick Taylor-coached Taft team had proved impossible. Birmingham finally pulled it off on Wednesday night but it took overtime to do it.

The Patriots, considered the No. 1 team in the City Section, pulled out a 97-90 overtime win over the host Toreadors. Mark Boland, who made eight threes, had eight points in overtime and finished with 27 points. Devonaire Doutrive finished with 32 points, including the last 12 in regulation. He made a three to send the game into overtime.

Devante Doutrive had 22 points and Deschon Winston added 16 points.

“That’s a huge win,” said Birmingham Coach Nick Halic.

Taft had won 81 consecutive league games under Taylor’s guidance. Kihei Clark scored 24 points for Taft.

El Camino Real defeated Chatsworth, 65-44. Eddy Egun scored 24 points and Troy Biglow 19.

In the Western League, Fairfax (16-1, 5-0) held off Westchester, 60-57. The Lions led by as many as 19 points but the Comets had a final shot that missed.

Kirk Smith had 10 blocks and nine rebounds for Fairfax. Jamal Hartwell finished with 17 points and Ethan Anderson 15. Luis Rodriguez scored 20 points for Westchester. Hamilton defeated University, 58-57.

In the East Valley League, Chavez defeated Grant, 64-58. David Parks scored 23 points.

In the Valley Mission League, Van Nuys received 35 points from Tyree Winborn to defeat San Fernando, 104-61. Sylmar defeated Panorama, 88-63. Dayquan Williams had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

In the Coliseum League, Crenshaw defeated View Park, 67-61. Lamar Harris scored 21 points and Kevin Kinard 19.

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