Cleveland Alters Tune to Beat Taft

That funky tune blastin’ and rockin’ the Cleveland High gymanasium Wednesday as the Cavaliers made their grand pregame entrance, translated, is about “L.A.’s Dream Team.”

But, at game’s end, Cleveland Coach Bob Braswell said, “We’re more a nightmare team right now.”

The tune changed when his team had to survive a scare--after building a seemingly insurmountable lead--to beat Taft, 81-77, in the Valley 4-A League opener for both teams.

Still, teams might want to seek refuge when the Cavaliers (2-0), ranked No. 1 in the Valley by The Times, recovers. They were that good against Taft (2-1), ranked No. 3 in the Valley.

Simply put, the Cavaliers, who thrive on the fast break, have talent and depth. Eight players scored at least two points. Four reached double figures.

Against Taft, they had to.

Starting guard Andre Anderson didn’t play at all because Braswell suspended him for missing study hall. Starting forward Richard Branham didn’t play much--although he scored a team-high 20 points in the first half--because he is experiencing sharp pains in his lower back. And point guard Damon Greer didn’t play great--although he scored 12 pressure points in the second half--because he didn’t feel well.

“It’s not panic time, but we have to play better,” Braswell said. “We have to get that killer instinct. My teams just haven’t given up 77 points--except to Crenshaw--because we play pressure defense. We’re not big enough to let them set up.

“This is the quickest team we’ve had, but we’re not showing it. We were banged up, but that’s no excuse.”

Taft Coach Jim Woodard refused to use his team’s poor physical condition as an excuse, either. Starting point guard Jason Bromberg, with scars still showing from the chicken pox, and starting center Quincy Watts, playing with a noticeable limp from an injured foot, weren’t as effective as usual.

“We just couldn’t guard them,” Woodard said. “Couldn’t stop them in the zone, couldn’t stop them in man. What the hell, we didn’t stop trying. They just beat us, they didn’t embarrass us.”

The long-range shooting of Kevin Franklin, a returning Times’ All-Valley guard, prevented this one from turning into an embarrassing blowout. In the first half, he scored 22 of Taft’s 36 points. In the second half, he scored 16 and six other Toreadors scored at least one basket to get help them back into the game--and almost win it.

Cleveland led, 65-52, with less than three minutes left in the third period when Franklin scored six unanswered points to begin a gradual comeback.

With 4:49 left in the game, reserve forward Sean Roberts converted a three-point play to close Cleveland’s lead to 73-69. But after several baskets were traded, Roberts missed two free throws that could have closed the deficit to within two points.

Cleveland guard Joey Manlinguis secured the victory by making a free throw with 23 seconds left.

“I have to give Woodard credit,” Braswell said. “They were very prepared for our press tonight.”

TAFT--Watts 5, Kolinsky 6, Smith 2, Franklin 38, Thomas 4, Middleton 10, Roberts 7, Prince 4, Moten 1.

CLEVELAND--Fann 11, Charlott 13, Gray 8, Greer 16, Manlinguis 3, Bodden 4, Branham 20, King 6.