HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL : Morse Defeats Jordan in L.A. Tournament

Morse High School broke open a two-point game Tuesday with four minutes left in the third quarter to take a 82-74 victory over Los Angeles Jordan to advance to Thursday’s quarterfinals of the Los Angeles Invitational boys’ basketball tournament.

The No. 3 Tigers were led Tuesday night by Darnell Cherry, who scored 26 points, had 17 rebounds and five blocked shots; Jaamar Lavendar, who had 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals; and Dwayne Ludd, who had 13 points, 10 assists and five steals.

“I thought we played a real patient game for this early in the season,” Morse Coach Ron Davis said. “They were very intelligent on the court.”

The Tigers (5-1) led by two points with four minutes left in the third quarter when Ludd stole the ball and was fouled for a three-point play, then converted a jump shot the next time down the floor. Robinson extended the lead to nine with a slam dunk off a steal.

Nonleague

Valhalla 84, El Capitan 72 (OT)--Vallhalla (7-1) outscored El Capitan 12-0 in overtime. Mike Naluled Valhalla with 24 and Mark Dillson added 23. Tyrone Wiggins led El Capitan with 15.

USDHS 96, Pt. Loma 47--Senior guard Eric Barajas scored 29 points and David Silva and Ian Hamilton added 17 apiece for USDHS (3-2). Scott Hedenkamp led Pt. Loma with 17 points.

Kearny 71, Patrick Henry 50--Darnay Scott scored 13 of his game-high 23 points in the second half for eighth-ranked Kearny (5-1). Marlon Franklin led Patrick Henry (5-5) with 17 points.

Helix 74, West Hills 43--Lloyd Lakes scored 15 points and Jason Falconer and Gary Walton scored 13 apiece to lead Helix (5-3).

Girls

Mt. Carmel 54, Mira Mesa 38--Vicki Dejesus’ 13 points led top-ranked Mt. Carmel (6-0) to a 54-39 victory over visiting Mira Mesa. Lani Elegado scored a game-high 18 points for Mira Mesa (2-9), Tyffanni Evans added 16.

Helix 46, West Hills 32--Nicky Cando led Helix with 17 points and Deisha Patterson added 16. Nadine Yacapin scored 13 for West Hills.

Our Lady of Peace 44, Mission Bay 42--Amy Kunde led OLP (3-2) with 14 points and Devin Velk and Ashleigh Mathes added 10.

Rancho Bernardo 54, Madison 38--Flo Kemp 12 and Amy Franzen had 12 points apiece for Rancho Bernardo (4-1). Jody Pidgeon scored a game-high 16 for Madison (3-5).

El Cajon Valley 81, Granite Hills 50--Monica Kraknes scored a game-high 23 points for second-ranked El Cajon. Lisa Klingshirn led Granite Hills with 14.

Santana 60, Mt. Miguel 25--Stephanie Thompson scored a game-high 28 points for fourth-ranked Santana (8-2).