LAS VEGAS TOURNAMENT : N. Hollywood Coasts Despite Illnesses, 80-43

North Hollywood High might have had several players battling flu Saturday, but it was Las Vegas Valley that needed a remedy for its ills after a first-round matchup in the Las Vegas Prep basketball classic.

Forward Damon Ollie scored a team-high 22 points to lead four North Hollywood players in double figures as the half-healthy Huskies routed Valley, 80-43.

North Hollywood forced 27 turnovers--including 12 steals--in advancing to a second-round game Monday against Sacramento Kennedy.

Anson Credille and F.J. Johnson each added 13 points and Mike Williams had 10 for North Hollywood (11-0), ranked No. 1 in Valley by The Times.

Mike McDougal of Valley scored a game-high 23 points.

The Huskies put together first-half runs of 12-0 and 11-2 and led at the break, 41-19. North Hollywood methodically built the lead to 46 points, 75-29, on a layup by Lafayette Baker with 5 minutes 15 seconds to play.

North Hollywood had not practiced for four days entering the game because about half of the squad has been ill.

Consequently, Coach Steve Miller was thankful to have the first-round breather.

“I think that was good for us,” Miller said. “We wouldn’t have handled a close game very well.”

The first 4 1/2 minutes were a microcosm of the game, with North Hollywood using its smothering full-court press to force four steals in running to a 14-2 advantage.

Ollie, named the game’s most valuable player, added 10 rebounds. The Huskies held a 34-18 advantage on the boards.

Valley dropped to 1-10.

Chatsworth 72, Merced 62--Six-foot-8 center Brady Mertes muscled inside for 19 points and 14 rebounds, and 5-7 guard Philbert Hernandez added 15 points--13 at the free-throw line--in a first-round game.

Chatsworth advanced to Monday’s second round of the 29-team tournament. The Chancellors (4-6), who have won three in a row, will play Huntington Beach.

Chatsworth led only 52-50 with 6 1/2 minutes left but held Merced without a field goal over the next 4 1/2 minutes while building as much as a 12-point lead.

Hernandez, the game’s most valuable player, sank eight free throws in the final 4:29 to help stave off Merced (5-6). Hernandez added nine assists.

Chatsworth made 31 of 42 free throws, including 20 of 23 in the second half.

Ternell Floyd added 17 points for Chatsworth. Merced was paced by Travis Schlact, who scored 14.