Keenan Goes to the Line to Help Westlake Defeat San Fernando

Westlake High Coach Roy Gilmore hoped that if Saturday’s game came down to a battle at the free-throw line, that Paul Keenan would be taking the ball from the official for the Warriors.

“He made 90% of his free throws last year,” Gilmore said. “I was just hoping to have the right man out there.”

Keenan did better than that Saturday, scoring a game-high 22 points, including 14 of 15 free throws, as Westlake defeated San Fernando, 77-72, and advanced to the semifinal round of the Hart tournament.

Westlake, ranked No. 5 in the Valley-area Times poll, will face Alemany on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

After San Fernando cut the lead to 71-68 with 1:12 left, Keenan was fouled by Shelton Boykin. Boykin was also charged with a technical foul, and Keenan made two of three free throws to give Westlake a 73-68 lead.

After Westlake’s Jim Henderson and Tory Stephens of San Fernando traded baskets with just under a minute remaining, Keenan was again fouled on a dunk attempt and sank two more free throws to clinch a semifinal berth.

Stephens led San Fernando with 21 points, but had just eight in the second half.

Other quarterfinal scores: Alemany 62, Hart 45; Simi Valley 77, Quartz Hill 61; Saugus 52, Marshall 44.