Palisades basketball hopes to crash the City’s “Big Three”

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I know, I know. Talk about City Section boys basketball centers on the “Big Three” -- Taft, Westchester and Fairfax. Just don’t be surprised if Palisades is in the conversation before too long.

The Dolphins, who began the season ranked 25th in The Times’ preseason rankings and fourth in the City, have been taking care of business since their only loss at No. 7 Campbell Hall on Dec. 1. Palisades (10-1) has won its last seven games by an average of 25.5 points.

The Dolphins beat Long Beach Poly, 55-35, to win the Beverly Hills tournament on Dec. 8 and are off to an impressive start in the San Fernando Valley Invitational. They outscored Knight, 66-53, in a championship quarterfinal on Wednesday and meet Hart in the semifinals tonight at Alemany.

“It’s nice to get recognition, but the only thing that really matters is where you’re ranked at the end,” said Coach James Paleno, who has a 309-137 record in 17 seasons—not too shabby considering Palisades plays in the Western League with Westchester and Fairfax.

So will we be discussing the “Big Four” instead of the “Big Three” come playoff time? The ball is in the Dolphins’ court.

-- Steve Galluzzo