Playing For 3rd Is Best Local Teams Can Do : Elmore Classic: Demetrius Nettles blisters the nets for 32 points as Locke outguns University, 72-68.

The Locke High boys’ basketball team knew it had to stop University’s long-distance shooter to have a chance of winning the third-place championship game of the 22nd annual Morey Elmore Memorial Classic.

Although Douglas Jarvis gave a tournament record-setting performance, Locke prevailed, 72-68, Wednesday at Eagle Rock High.

“Our pressure defense was the story,” Locke Coach Michael Jackson said. “We kept a man in (Jarvis’) face and he didn’t score on us like he did (against) the other teams.”

Jarvis, a 6-foot-3 forward, continued to make three-point shots like he did against the Warriors’ previous three opponents. But it was not enough to offset the scoring of Locke forward Demetrius Nettles, who had 32 points and 10 rebounds.

Jarvis made five of seven three-point attempts en route to 21 points. He made 22 three-point shots during four games to break the 1991 tournament mark of 15, set by Taft High School’s Casey Sheahan.

Locke’s tough man-to-man defense coupled with Nettles’ inside scoring gave the Saints a 29-25 halftime lead.

But in the second half, University began to set double picks for Jarvis, freeing the senior to hit three treys in less than two minutes to give the Warriors a 64-63 lead with 4:50 left.

“Toward the end of the game we ran plays for (Jarvis) to give him some room to roam,” University Coach Jim Nakabari said.

However, on Locke’s next possession, point guard Glen Lyles, who had 17 points and five assists, used a crossover dribble to split two defenders and score on a slashing layup, enabling the Saints to recapture the lead, 65-64. The Saints never trailed again.

While Locke slowed Jarvis, teammate Hassan Booker scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. But the Warriors could manage only five points during the final two minutes.

Palisades defeated Taft, 58-39, for the tournament championship.

LOCKE--Nettles 32, Lyles 17, Harper 11, Clark 5, Roberts 4, Roberson 3.

UNIVERSITY--Booker 32, Jarvis 21, Leyva 5, Bell 4, Harrison 4, Chen 2.

Record: Locke 10-5.