BOYS’ BASKETBALL / HART TOURNAMENT : Canyon Floats Past Undermanned Venice

Instead of waiting around for last-second heroics, as the Cowboys did in a first-round victory over Antelope Valley, Canyon exploded in the third quarter to beat Venice, 89-65, in the quarterfinals of the Hart tournament Wednesday at Valencia High.

Greg Minor scored 38 points and sparked a 14-2 run to start the third quarter, and Canyon advanced to the tournament semifinals, where it will face Hart.

Canyon broke a 37-37 halftime tie by outscoring Venice, 26-7, in the third quarter. Venice (6-5) suited up only six players and was led by Charles Madison’s 23 points.

Brian Connelly added 14 points for Canyon.

Hart 57, Beverly Hills 45--Mike Posey scored 15 points and Zach Koebel added 12 to lead the tournament host Indians (7-5) in another quarterfinal.

Simi Valley 87, Palmdale 73--Anthony Tauriello scored 23 points to lead Simi Valley (9-1) in a quarterfinal game. The Pioneers will meet Notre Dame tonight. Shad Martin led Palmdale with 19 points.

Notre Dame 67, Glendale 55--The Knights (8-3) sank 12 of 14 free throws in the fourth quarter, pulling away in a quarterfinal game. Notre Dame’s Tom Zapata finished with 12 points. Arnae Boghossian led Glendale (7-4) with 28 points.

Littlerock 56, Banning 54--John George hit a 10-foot jumper at the buzzer for Littlerock in a consolation game.

Mike Lonien scored a season high 22 points for Littlerock (7-5).

Atwater 81, Canoga Park 80--Cesar Lopez missed a short jump shot and Canoga Park fell in a consolation game.

Carlos Harper scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds for Canoga Park (4-5).