Zepeda Comes Off Bench to Lead San Fernando, 60-46

Entering the basketball season as a substitute, San Fernando High’s Fernando Zepeda figured it was a good idea to make himself noticed.

Zepeda scored a game-high 17 points to pace San Fernando to a 60-46 nonleague win over host Birmingham on Monday afternoon, the season opener for both teams.

“Fernando was a surprise today,” Tiger Coach Dick Crowell said. “His stock certainly went up.”

San Fernando (1-0) led, 26-24, at halftime before going on a 17-8 run in the third quarter. George Garcia finished with 14 points and Gabe Vidana scored 12 for the Tigers.

Birmingham (0-1) was led by sophomore Glenn Lyles, who scored a team-high 11 points. Kevin Horton added 11 rebounds and six points for the Braves. In other nonleague games:

Marshall 58, Van Nuys 47--Jahmin Assa scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and teammate Thamh Diep added 10 points for Marshall in the opener for both teams at Van Nuys.

Sylmar 45, Verdugo Hills 35--In a low-scoring opener for both teams, Sylmar used a 12-point halftime advantage to coast to a nonleague victory.

The Spartans (1-0) were led by 6-foot-4 senior forward Brandon McBride, who scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and senior point guard Kim Shostle (14 points). The low offensive output left second-year Coach Larry Link worried.

“We have to find some offense,” Link said. “We’ve got to find somebody who can score some points. If Brandon keeps out of foul trouble, he can score in there.”

Sylmar will play in the Simi Valley tournament Thursday.

“We may get blown out of the gym four times,” Link said. “But it will be good practice for us with regards to our conference.” BOYS’ SOCCER

San Fernando 5, Monroe 1--Oscar Arevalo scored two goals and Gadial Palomo, Fabian Galvin and Hector Molina scored one each for host San Fernando (1-0) in a nonleague game.

North Hollywood 3, San Pedro 1--Walter Cordova, Oswaldo Vega and Ramiro Vega each scored one goal for North Hollywood (1-0) at San Pedro in a nonleague game.

Birmingham 2, Westchester 0--Tony Serpas scored two goals and goalies Andy Sherman and Willie Palacios recorded the shutout for Birmingham in a nonleague opener for both teams. GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Birmingham 47, San Fernando 37--Tracie Harris scored 19 points and Dorrie Chang added 11 as Birmingham won a nonleague season opener for both schools at San Fernando.