BOYS’ BASKETBALL / LA CANADA TOURNAMENT : Cady’s Reunion Party Is a Real Bash, 71-43

Deep down, Coach Mick Cady had no desire to play Notre Dame High, his former team.

He thought it was too theatrical, too much drama. He didn’t like the pressure it put on his San Fernando players.

And then there was the frightening thought of . . . the final score.

Fortunately for Cady, there was very little drama, save for his team’s early lead.

But the final score was indeed scary as Notre Dame blew out the Tigers, 71-43, in the first round of the La Canada tournament Friday night at La Canada High.

The Knights play Bishop Montgomery in the second round tonight.

“We’re like little babies. We’re infants,” said Cady, who led Notre Dame to the 1993 Southern Section Division III-A title, but has since relocated to San Fernando.

“We’ve got a long to go and it’s going to take some time.”

Notre Dame (5-1) found itself trailing San Fernando, 12-7, midway through the first quarter, but turned on a three-quarter court press and turned up the heat.

The Knights led, 31-22, at halftime and put the game away in the third quarter by outscoring San Fernando, 18-5.

Thirteen players scored for Notre Dame, whose depth wore down the Tigers. Only three players had scored for San Fernando (2-3) heading into the fourth quarter.

“They kept coming at us in waves,” Cady said, who held an impromptu reunion with Notre Dame players past and present in the parking lot following the game.

John Garcia scored 11 points for the Knights. Jared Coller and David Sobel each added nine.

Marty Trinidad had 15 points for San Fernando.

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In other first-round games:

St. Francis 84, Hoover 57--Ted Steben scored 22 points, including five three-point baskets, to lead the Golden Knights.

James Alvarez and Mihail Papadopulous each added 16 points for St. Francis (4-2).

Danny Clarke scored 28 points for Hoover (1-6).

Campbell Hall 62, East Bakersfield 54--Treaven Davis scored 21 points for Campbell Hall.

Mike Appel and Demetrius Ingram each added 12 points for the Vikings (4-3).

La Canada 100, Fortune (Canada) 32--Charlie Petit scored 27 points and Scott Riddell added 16 for La Canada (4-3), which at one stage led by 72 points.