Can Palisades emerge victorious from Fairfax Lions’ den Tuesday?

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You can bet the Palisades boys’ basketball team won’t tiptoe into the Lions’ den Tuesday hoping to catch its opponent sleeping. Not after the Dolphins gave Fairfax a real scare the last time these teams met.

Despite spotting visiting Fairfax a 9-0 lead and shooting a dismal 16 of 50 from the field, Palisades battled its Western League rival down to the final buzzer on Jan. 11. What will it take to upset the fifth-ranked Lions on their home court?

“We can’t get down 9-0 and we can’t afford empty possessions,” Palisades Coach James Paleno said. “Also, I need to sub a little better and get deeper into our lineup earlier in the game so we stay rested.”

Palisades (21-4, 5-2), ranked 21st by The Times, overcame today’s sluggish start to polish off Hamilton, 74-46, paced by a 22-point, 10-rebound effort by Irvin Kintaudi. Now the third-place Dolphins have a second crack at the league leaders and reigning Division I state champions.

This time, though, fifth-ranked Fairfax (17-3, 7-0) will have the crowd on its side and junior center Renardo Sidney is expected to return after sitting out two games for disciplinary reasons. Sidney had 22 points and 18 rebounds in Fairfax’s earlier 57-53 victory at Palisades.

Tip-off of Tuesday’s varsity game is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Fairfax High.

-- Steve Galluzzo

-- Image from www.viewimages.com