Western Dominates Rolling Hills

Western outplayed Rolling Hills in every phase of the game in its 76-57 victory Tuesday night in the second round of the Southern Section Division III-AA basketball playoffs in the winners’ gymnasium.

Western (22-3) used a stifling defense and the shooting of guards Tom Barazza and Chris Jackson in eliminating Rolling Hills (15-13) from the playoffs in the school’s final high school basketball game.

Next year, Rolling Hills will be consolidated with Palos Verdes and Miraleste high schools into Peninsula High because of declining enrollment in the area. Cliff Warren, Rolling Hills’ veteran coach, said the lopsided loss was his last high school game. He finished with a six-year record of 123-46 at Rolling Hills.

“Western is as good as any team we’ve played this season,” Warren said. “We never had anybody take us out of our game like they did tonight. Everything we wanted to do, they took away from us.

“They play with such intensity on defense and execute so well, it’s going to be difficult for anybody to beat them.”

Rolling Hills opened the game with five consecutive turnovers against Western’s pressure defense but still had an 11-10 lead after the first quarter thanks to accurate free-throw shooting.

The teams were tied five times in the second quarter until Western pulled away on a couple of Barazza three-pointers to take a 28-22 lead at halftime. Western put the game away with a 12-2 run to open the third quarter with Jackson making three consecutive shots and forward Nurishi Stevenson finally waking up.

Stevenson, the most talented player on the team, was hardly noticeable in the first half when he failed to take a shot. But he responded with three quick baskets in the third quarter and then made a three-point play early in the fourth to give Western a 57-37 lead.

Afterward, Western Coach Greg Hoffman praised the play of Jackson and center Matt Umbarger and stressed the need for Stevenson to play hard for 32 minutes if his third-seeded team has any aspirations of winning a title.

“Jackson probably played the best game he’s ever played,” Hoffman said. “He hit every open shot and put pressure on their point guard all night. I can’t say enough about Umbarger. He made (Rolling Hills center) Roger Hendrix work for every point he got tonight.”

Hendrix, averaging 25 points and 9.3 rebounds, finished with 23 points and five rebounds, but made only six field goals. Teammate David Heitzler added 17 points.

“Umbarger is the missing piece of the puzzle,” Hoffman said. “We have a legitimate chance to go a long way with him in the lineup.”

Western will meet Alemany (11-16) in the quarterfinals Friday. Alemany advanced with a 76-62 victory over La Serna.