Taft Weaves Way to Title Behind Wizardry of Thomas

The ballhandling wizardry of point guard Dedan Thomas enabled Taft High to control the pace and defeat a quicker University team, 53-47, Thursday night in the final of the Eagle Rock tournament.

Thomas, who was named tournament MVP, had 14 points and 13 assists. But what was more important to Coach Jim Woodard was that Thomas did not commit a turnover.

“We spread the court every chance we could get and Dedan was incredible, weaving in and out of players, handling the ball the entire game,” Woodard said.

Thomas, a senior, had 9 assists but did not score in the first half as Taft trailed, 32-31, at intermission. Eric Clark, University’s senior swingman, had 18 of his game-high 24 points in the first half.

“We changed defense in the second half, got in his face, and tried not to foul him on his drives,” Woodard said.

Taft (10-1) took a 43-38 lead after 3 quarters and Thomas dribbled away the fourth period.

Taft’s Tony Middleton and Jason Deyoe also made the all-tournament team. Middleton, a senior forward, had 19 points and 7 rebounds, and Deyoe, a junior center, added 10 points and 8 rebounds.

The win avenged Taft’s only loss, a 67-65 overtime decision to University (9-2) 2 weeks ago. University eliminated Taft from the semifinals of the Eagle Rock tournament last season. Taft won the tournament in 1986.

Every North Valley League team has won a tournament. In addition to Taft’s win, Cleveland won the Las Vegas Holiday tournament, Kennedy took the Hamilton tournament and Granada Hills won the North Hollywood tournament.