Prep Basketball BOYS : Van Nuys Is a ‘Brutal’ Winner Over Birmingham

Van Nuys High forward Anthony Cook set the tone for the Wolves’ 70-53 win over Birmingham High on Tuesday when he slapped Howard Zuckerman’s shot out of bounds on the second play of the game.

From that moment on, it was all downhill for the Braves.

Cook led the attack for Van Nuys, scoring 22 points, pulling down 14 rebounds and blocking three shots. He made 8 of 11 shots from the free throw line. Nate Williams had a game-high 16 rebounds to complement his 11 points.

Zuckerman, whose 24 points-per-game average is tops in the Valley, scored 23 and had 7 steals. However, Zuckerman said he had his “worst game of the year” as he connected on only 6 of 21 from the floor and 11 of 23 from the free-throw line. Zuckerman played nearly the entire game.

“I was tired and every time I got the ball there were three guys guarding me,” Zuckerman said. “I just didn’t have it today. It was my worst game of the year.”

Van Nuys, which is ranked No. 8 in the latest Times poll, improved its record to 5-0 in the East Valley and 14-2 overall. The Braves fall to 2-3 and 6-6.

The Wolves began to pull away in the second quarter after leading 12-6 at the end of the first period. Van Nuys gradually built up as much as a 17-point lead before taking a 35-20 score in the locker room.

The game was marred by fouls being called seemingly on every other play. In all, there were 54 free throws by both sides.

“The key word is ‘brutal,’ ” said Van Nuys Coach Jeffrey Halpern. “It was brutal on all ends of the court. It’s unfortunate that we played that kind of a game. We can’t play like that the next two weeks going towards the playoffs because we can be taken right out of it.”

Taft 66, San Fernando 60

Although it never trailed, Taft High had to have its players hit some important free throws in the final minute to preserve the win.

Taft hit six free throws in the final minute and held on for its second win in five Valley 4-A games. Overall, it is 5-9. San Fernando High is 1-4 in the league and 4-11 overall.

Bobby Green, who scored on two of the foul shots, ended with 17 points. The Franklin brothers also made significant contributions. Sophomore Kevin had 15 points, while junior Keith had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Taft held a 31-24 lead at the end of the first half but was caught at 52-52 by the Tigers, which had John Austin as the top scorer with 12 points. Taft converted all six of its free throw opportunities down the stretch, however, to hold onto the win. For the game, the Toreadors made 24 of 31 free throws.

Polytechnic 48, Sylmar 40

Junior forward Alex Ruzich scored 5 of his 18 points on free throws in the third overtime period to secure Polytechnic High’s victory over Sylmar High.

The Parrots, who took advantage of 16 Sylmar turnovers, went to the foul line 13 times after regulation play ended at 37-37.

Mark Harkay added 10 points for Poly and Steve Crawley led the Spartans with 8 points and 12 rebounds.