WINTER SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS : Poly Survives a Battle of Turnovers Against Monroe, 72-63

In a game that featured 45 turnovers, Poly High defeated Monroe, 72-63, Saturday night in the opening round of the Birmingham tournament.

The Parrots (5-3), who committed 22 turnovers, advanced to Monday’s 7 p.m. semifinals against Reseda, a 60-58 winner Saturday over Van Nuys.

“I think my team forgot there was a second half,” Poly Coach Al Uyemura said.

The Parrots led at halftime, 37-24, but Monroe (2-3) used a trapping, half-court defense to narrow the gap.

Center Ray Anthony, who led Monroe with 19 points, scored 12 in the third quarter as the Vikings closed to 52-49 at the end of the quarter.

But Poly’s All-City guard, Jorge Ramos, took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points to lead the Parrots out of danger. Ramos made only 7 of 19 shots, but finished with 21 points.

Monroe got 14 points from Roosevelt Johnson and 13 from Cedrick Arinwine.

In other tournament games, Grant defeated Agoura, 63-58, and Birmingham defeated Canoga Park, 70-55.