Boys’ basketball: Lonzo Ball put on a show with a 45-point performance

Lonzo Ball of Chino Hills said he’s never scored 45 points _ ever.

So understand how much fun he was having Monday night in an opening round game of the Fairfax tournament, scoring 45 points to help the Huskies rally for an 85-76 win over Harvard-Westlake.

Ball, a junior guard committed to UCLA, was dueling Yale-bound Alex Copeland, who finished with 26 points. Back and forth they went, each trying to get teammates to rise up. But in the end, Ball and Copeland had to do their best, and it was Ball taking charge in the second half by showing remarkable stamina and toughness.

Ball is known more for his passing, and he had plenty of assists and rebounds. With brother LiAngelo sidelined for another three weeks while he recovers from a broken foot, Ball had to assume scoring duties, but he never forgot what the summer is all about.

“I’m trying to get them mentally and physically prepared,” he said of his teammates.

Copeland is much improved, though he made just two of nine free throws, which may have been due to tired legs from having no one else to handle ball handling responsibilities. Sophomore Aaron Glazer made major contributions for the Wolverines.

More help is on the way. Harvard-Westlake Coach Greg Hilliard, who is retiring at the end of next season, said Wolfgang Novogratz, a 6-2 junior point guard from New York, will be joining Harvard-Westlake.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer