Southern Section Rebounds From 26-Point Deficit to Top City Section Boys, 141-136

The Southern Section All-Stars rallied from a 26-point halftime deficit to defeat the City Section, 141-136, in the second San Fernando Valley All-Star game Friday night at Cal State Northridge.

Westlake High’s Kurt Schwan scored a game-high 31 points. The 6-foot-9 center, who is bound for Weber State, led an inside assault in the second half that drew the Southern Section to within 16 by the fourth quarter. The Southern Section outscored the City All-Stars, 88-57, in the second half.

“I think we were a little embarrassed at halftime,” said Schwan, who scored 26 of his points in the second half. “We talked about going inside because we had the size and we thought we had the power to take them.”

The Southern Section’s defense also clamped down around the basket in order to force the action outside. Only Adonis Jordan, Cleveland High’s point guard headed for Kansas, provided an outside punch. He scored a team-high 29 points but had 19 in the first half.

“The defense,” Schwan said. “That’s what got us back. Everyone out there can score.”

It seemed, in the first half, that everyone out there did--at least for the City Section, which had its running game in high gear. Jordan led the charge as the City Section built a 44-26 lead after one quarter and extended it to 79-53 at halftime.

Kenny Hicks, the Notre Dame forward who will attend Stanford in the fall, had his doubts at that point that his Southern Section team could come back, even though there were two 12-minute quarters in which to do so.

“I was skeptical,” Hicks said. “But I knew we couldn’t give up. We just tried our hardest and see what happens. We knew if we played the running game with them they’d run us out of the gym.”

So the Southern Section slowed the tempo, crowded the key and went to Schwan. Gradually, the score tightened, and with seven minutes left, the Southern Section had drawn even.

Antelope Valley’s Tony Davis added 19 points and Chris Jones of La Canada had 17 for the Southern Section.

“It’s my last high school game,” Hicks said. “It means much more to win it. I’ll never forget this comeback.”

Even players on the losing City Section team enjoyed the event. “It’s fun just to come out and participate. The people that didn’t see me play during the season could come out and see what I got,” Jordan said.

The game was delayed for 10 minutes during the third quarter when a woman spectator ran onto the court, apparently headed for a referee. She was intercepted by coaches and security guards.

CITY GIRLS PREVAIL

Cheryl Hightower’s rebound, layup and steal in the final minute lifts the City Section to a 71-67 win over the Southern Section in the girls’ game. Page 20.