CITY BASKETBALL 3-A PLAYOFFS

San Fernando 61, Huntington Park 50--Forward Shelton Boykin scored 21 points and had 9 rebounds to lead San Fernando into Friday’s City Section 3-A semifinals against Granada Hills.

The Tigers (15-8) took control of the game early in the second quarter and led 34-26 at halftime, then went on a 15-4 run to open the third period.

A jump shot by Tory Stephens put San Fernando ahead, 38-28, and the Tigers scored on slam dunks on four of their next five possessions--two by Boykin and two by guard Joe Mauldin--to go up, 49-30, with two minutes left in the third quarter.

But San Fernando couldn’t close the door on Huntington Park (10-12). The Tigers went nearly six minutes without a point, and Huntington Park moved to within 49-44 with 4:40 to play.

Boykin, who hit eight of 14 shots, finally broke the scoreless streak with a free throw with 4:21 to play, and center Charles Thomas sank three of four free throws to put San Fernando ahead 53-45.

Thomas, who had 13 rebounds and two blocked shots to go with his nine points, scored again moments later on an inbounds play, and the Tigers led comfortably, 56-45.

Stephens had 14 points for San Fernando, and Mauldin added 11. The Tigers converted 44% of their field-goal attempts, but were only three of 13 in the fourth quarter.

Huntington Park, which made just 37% of its shots, got 19 points from forward Cesar Rivas.