Prep Basketball BOYS : Cleveland Off to Fast Start, Defeats Taft by 30 Points

Let the carnage begin.

Cleveland High, in search of a second straight undefeated Valley 4-A League basketball season, took the first step Wednesday. The Cavaliers carved up Taft, 93-63, in both teams’ league opener at Cleveland.

The Toreadors, whose 10-point defeat last season was the closest any Valley 4-A League team came to beating Cleveland in 1984, played the Cavaliers tough for one period before withering before their fast break and full-court pressure defense. Cleveland led 22-19 after the first quarter, pushed their advantage to 55-35 by halftime and held a 75-45 edge after three quarters.

“They’ve just got a superior team, it’s as simple as that,” said Taft Coach Jim Woodard, whose team is now 3-7 overall. “The guys on their bench would have a good shot at winning the league.”

Forward Trevor Wilson led the Cavalier onslaught with a game-leading 27 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Tyrone Mitchell added 15 points and a school-record 14 assists, forward Anthony Kidd had 15 points and guard Kevin Stafford chipped in with 12.

Sophomore forward Kevin Franklin paced Taft with 20 points. His brother, Keith Franklin, scored 14 and center Darren Kolinsky added 12.

Despite the blowout, Cleveland Coach Greg Herrick found room for improvement in his Cavaliers, who are ranked second in the City with a 12-1 overall record.

“I wasn’t too thrilled with the defensive intensity, but it’s tough when you’re 30 points ahead,” Herrick said. “When we get in a close game, we’ll wake up. Our kids have too much pride not to.”