HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CITY 3-A BOYS’ FINAL : No Surprise, Fremont Coasts Past North Hollywood, 70-37

There has been no doubt Fremont High had the best team in the City 3-A Division this season. The big question now, though, is whether it has the best in the state?

Fremont easily won the City 3-A championship Friday over North Hollywood, 70-37, before 6,500 at the Sports Arena.

The game was the third most lopsided in City tournament final history. North Hollywood’s 37 points also were the lowest for a team since Chatsworth lost to Cleveland, 43-35, in the 3-A title game in 1981.

Fremont, ranked No. 1 in the state, improved to 31-1. It received an automatic berth in the Southern Regional State tournament, which begins Tuesday, and figures to be the No. 1 team. North Hollywood, which upset Fremont in the 3-A championship last season, finished 15-12.

“This win certainly is vindication for last year,” Fremont Coach Sam Sullivan said. “Winning the City title is always my top priority, and I am very proud of our kids. They’ve played hard all year.”

North Hollywood, which struggled much of the season, was no match for quicker Fremont. The Huskies trailed, 16-5, at the end of the first quarter and 32-7 at halftime.

Fremont led by as much as 29 points in the third quarter. Michael Tate gave the Pathfinders their biggest lead at 70-33 after a dunk with two minutes remaining that brought most of the crowd to its feet.

Chris Ford led all scorers with 17 points.