Harvard Plays With Purpose After a Sluggish Start, 72-50

Perhaps still reeling from final exams that took place last week, Harvard High basketball players temporarily abandoned their free-wheeling style of play Friday night and tried a cerebral approach against last-place La Salle.

The Saracens’ deliberate game fell flat. They scored 27 first-half points--a season low--and were unable to capitalize on the mistakes of a shorter La Salle team.

However, Harvard, which led by a point at intermission, came alive in the second half of a San Fernando Valley League game and won, 72-50.

“We were in another zone,” Harvard Coach Greg Hilliard said. “(The players’) brains were dead.”

So were their motor skills. The Saracens turned the ball over 14 times, which is especially surprising considering the Lancers were playing zone defense.

“Our defense played OK, but, boy, we sure couldn’t finish anything,” Hilliard said.

In the first half, at least. But the Saracens went on a 10-2 run to begin the third quarter and took a 37-28 lead midway through the period. La Salle, which was outscored by 13 points in the quarter, was unable to recover.

When Harvard got its fast break rolling, La Salle broke fast.

The Lancers notched a field goal early in the third period but were held scoreless for nearly four minutes. Matt Clark scored seven of his 13 points for Harvard in the third quarter.

“We played best when we run and don’t hesitate,” said Rick Osterloh, who scored a team-high 14 points. “It was all mental. We won’t make those passes usually.”

Not given to tirades, Hilliard issued a simple plea at halftime: “I just told them quietly they should show some pride,” he said.

The team responded, scoring 21 points in the third quarter and 24 in the fourth. Harvard, ranked first in the Southern Section 3-A Division, improved to 15-2 overall, 4-0 in league play. La Salle dropped to 8-8, 0-4.

Harvard reserve Markus Puhvel scored 10 and Yanni Vourgourakis added eight.

“We had all our best runs with our subs,” Hilliard said.

La Salle was paced by Brian Butler (14 points), Dindo Valencia (10) and Trevor Caldwell, Greg Ramirez and Brian Esquival, who each contributed six.