Prep Basketball BOYS : Reseda Streaks Past Canoga Park, 63-53

Reseda High managed to win its fourth-straight league contest, 63-53, Friday night, but not before host Canoga Park brought the defending City champions back down to earth.

Canoga Park started hitting early and had the Regents running in circles, shooting poorly and tossing passes into the bleachers. The Hunters led, 12-10, at the end of the first period and carried a one-point lead into their locker room at halftime. In the other locker room, Reseda Coach Dennis King didn’t waste any time informing his players of their sloppy play.

“They thought all they had to do was show up and they would win the game,” King said. “Well, they found out they had to stick to our game. I told them they had to play fast if they wanted to win. I think it woke them up.”

Reseda still couldn’t pull away from the Hunters in the third period, though they managed to get and keep the lead. Reseda led, 41-37, at the end of the quarter but didn’t show its league-leading form until the middle of the final period. Reseda ran off 13 straight points and led, 54-40, with little more than six minutes left.

The win improves Reseda’s overall record to 10-5. Canoga Park, which is plagued by inexperience and lack of depth, has now lost 10 straight. The Hunters hit 31% from the field, hitting just 21 of 53 shots.

Reseda’s 6-4 senior forward, Jeff Johnson, led all scorers with 20 points while grabbing eight rebounds. Teammate Alan Gindlesperger had 19 points to keep his season scoring average intact. Senior Lavar Ball had a team-high 19 points for the Hunters.

Reseda, which is seeking its third consecutive Valley 3-A League title, travels to Grant Wednesday. Grant is winless in league play.