Cleveland Can Win <i> With</i> Wilson

There was no question about who the Cleveland High fans wanted to seek out following the Cavaliers’ 65-59 victory Friday night over Taft in a Valley 4-A League basketball game on the Toreadors’ home court.

As the center of attention accepted the many congratulatory handshakes, perspiration dripped from his chin.

“It feels good, real good,” Trevor Wilson said. “And it’s even better when you come back and the team wins.”

Wilson, the Cavaliers’ 6-8 All-American forward, played in his first game since straining a ligament in his left ankle a month ago. During his absence, the Cavaliers went 5-0 and opened up a two-game lead in league.

“We know we’re a good team without Trevor,” said Cleveland Coach Bob Braswell, whose team improved to 8-0 in league and 11-5 overall. “And with him, we’re that much better.”

Taft found out the hard way.

The Toreadors (3-4, 10-6) held a five-point lead entering the final quarter, but could not contend with the Cavaliers’ inside game. When Wilson combines with Antoine Shofner and Albert Fann, the Cavaliers have a devastating front line.

The trio scored 17 of Cleveland’s 24 points in the fourth quarter, most of them within five feet of the basket.

Shofner led the Cavaliers with 14 points, while Wilson had 13 points and 12 rebounds. Fann scored 12.

Shofner and Wilson may have had more impressive numbers had they played the first quarter. Shofner missed two practices during the week in order to study for finals. Braswell does not start players who miss practice.

Braswell said that Wilson has to earn his starting position back. Braswell didn’t insert the senior forward until the start of the second quarter. The first time Wilson tried to score, he threw up an air ball on a free-throw attempt. “I was real tight,” he said.

But Wilson settled down to score four points in the quarter and grab four rebounds. Shofner came in with 6:33 left in the half and promptly scored six points. The Cavaliers erased a six-point first-quarter deficit and went to the locker room ahead, 31-26.

But Taft’s Kevin Franklin took over in the third quarter, scoring 10 of his game-high 20 points to put the Toreadors in front, 46-41, after three periods.

Wilson’s tip-in with 5:31 left tied the game at 49, before Franklin hit another outside jumper. But with 5:09 left, Franklin fouled out.

The Cavaliers promptly went on a 10-2 run--capped by a three-point play by Wilson--to secure Cleveland’s 29th straight league win over three seasons.

Keith Franklin had 14 points for Taft, before fouling out with 3:05 left in the game.

CLEVELAND--Fann 12; Branham 4; King 6; Greer 7; Shofner 14; Wilson 13 and 12 rebounds; Anderson 4; Love 3; Dixion 2.

TAFT--Kevin Franklin 20; Keith Franklin 14; Watts 11; Kolinsky 8; Moskovitz 2; Roberts 3; Bromberg 1.