North Hollywood Shows Playoff Form Against Grant : Prep basketball: Huskies repeat last season’s feat of defeating the Lancers for the first time in their third meeting of the season, 61-44.

When North Hollywood has needed a win in a big game, the Huskies have risen to the occasion.

The two-time defending City Section 3-A Division champions did it again Wednesday night, beating host Grant, 61-44, in a quarterfinal playoff game in a packed gymnasium.

Grant was 4-1 against the Huskies over the past two seasons going into the game, including two wins this season. But history seemed to repeat itself at the Lancers’ expense.

The Huskies’ only two wins against Grant (19-3) in the past six meetings have been in the playoffs. North Hollywood beat Grant, 85-69, in the semifinals last season.

Earlier this season, North Hollywood defeated Van Nuys, 80-59, to earn a share of the Mid-Valley League title with the Wolves.

North Hollywood’s Robert Hill scored nine of his game-high 23 points in the first quarter to help the Huskies take a 16-3 advantage after the first eight minutes.

Hill was hot in the first half, accounting for 15 of the Huskies’ 32 points.

“My coach (Steve Miller) told me to take it to them in the first part of the game,” Hill said, “and I just did what he said.”

Grant, which scored only three field goals in the first half, never seriously threatened the Huskies’ lead.

The Lancers, who trailed 32-14 at halftime, made a run at North Hollywood in the third quarter.

Brunell Mori’s six points sparked an 8-0 run to start the third quarter.

North Hollywood made one of 10 field-goal attempts in the third quarter and scored only three points.

Tyler Butland’s three-point basket late in the third quarter got Grant to within 10 points, 35-25.

But the Lancers could get no closer, fatigue beginning to show on many Lancer faces. It was especially evident when Hill, a 6-foot-1 junior guard, picked off a pass intended for Mori and went the length of the court before slamming it through with his right hand.

Hill’s dunk gave the Huskies a 42-27 lead with 4 minutes 55 seconds remaining.

North Hollywood point guard Doc Hazzard picked apart Grant’s zone defense with his pinpoint passes and his command of the offense seemed to unnerve the Lancers.

Eric Jackson scored 17 points for the Huskies and pulled down 11 rebounds.