Grant Clinches Tie for East Valley Title With 71-56 Victory

So much for home-court advantage.

Grant High visited Sherman Oaks CES on Wednesday and quickly affirmed its position atop the East Valley League basketball standings, taking an 18-point, first-quarter lead en route to a 71-56 victory.

The Lancers (13-6, 8-2 in league play) clinched a share of the league title and can wrap up the championship with a victory in either of their remaining league games--against Sylmar on Friday and Birmingham on Tuesday.

“To do this here really boosted our confidence,” Grant guard Chris Fields said.

Sherman Oaks (11-10, 5-4) had hoped to move within a half-game of Grant, but the Knights, tied with Birmingham for second place, could not overcome their one-for-11 performance from the field in the first quarter.

Fields was one of four Lancers scoring in double figures: Mark Small had 16 points, Fields and Wayne Carlisle 15 each and Darwin Alfelor 14. Fields scored 13 points in the first half, including nine of Grant’s 11 points in the second quarter.

That was the only quarter in which Sherman Oaks (11-10, 5-4) outscored Grant. The 19-11 advantage cut Grant’s lead to 34-24 at intermission.

The Lancers, however, built leads of 17 points in the third quarter and 20 points in the fourth. Sherman Oaks fought back each time and got no closer than eight.

While Sherman Oaks was struggling with its shooting and committing six turnovers in the first quarter, Grant hit nine of 18 field-goal attempts and was three for four from the line. Alfelor made two three-point baskets in the first three minutes to help Grant take a 12-3 lead.

Sherman Oaks’ longest drought was nearly five minutes, spanning the first and second quarters. Coach Mac Becker called time out and hoped to see a more deliberate offense.

Finally, Khalif Muhammad scored with 6 minutes 55 seconds left in the second quarter to cut Grant’s lead to 23-7. It sparked a 17-9 run to finish the half, but Grant’s lead could not be overcome.

“We didn’t get into the game until the second quarter,” Becker said, “and by that time we had to burn up so much energy.”

Four players scored in double figures for Sherman Oaks: Muhammad (13), Kyle Augustus (12), Barry McWright (11) and Jason Hunter (10).

Small and Fields each had seven rebounds for Grant.