Chatsworth, Miller Fall Hard, 68-57, to Harvard

By all indications, Chatsworth High’s Eddie Miller appeared primed for the Chancellors’ much-anticipated matchup with Harvard-Westlake on Wednesday night.

After controlling the opening tip, the 6-foot-8 senior center took the ball near the top of the key, looked 6-10 Wolverine forward Jarron Collins in the eye, took a step back and drained a three-pointer.

Another basket by Miller and the Chancellors were off to a quick start.

But early in the second quarter, Miller, already called for two fouls, was left muttering to himself on the bench, powerless to stop Jarron and Jason Collins.

Harvard used a powerful inside game and smooth transition play to pull away for a 68-57 victory at Cal State Northridge.

The Wolverines led by as many as 19 points early in the fourth quarter before the Chancellors (1-2) were able to close the gap.

Miller, who plays on a traveling team with Jason and Jarron Collins (6-11), had been looking forward to playing someone his size. But three first-half fouls kept Miller from being effective inside.

“It was really frustrating because I felt good at the start,” said Miller, who finished with 17 points and just three rebounds. “I wanted to establish myself. We’ve been looking forward to playing each other since this game was announced.”

The Wolverines (4-0) rarely took a shot from more than five feet away. If it wasn’t Jason (16 points, 15 rebounds) or Jarron Collins (13 points, seven rebounds) working their way for uncontested layups, the fast-break offense provided opportunities for Ryan Smiley (18 points), Rico Cabrera (11 points) and Alex Gelbard (10 points).

“[The fast break] was the one thing we weren’t able to do until tonight,” Jason Collins said. “We’re still a young team working on things early in the season.”

With Miller in foul trouble, Harvard was able to slow down point guard Jerome Joseph, who scored nine of his 23 points in the fourth quarter. Occasionally, Jarron Collins was the defender assigned to guard Joseph.

Chatsworth led, 10-5, when Miller was called for his second foul on a play away from the ball less than four minutes into the game. The Chancellors scored two points the rest of the quarter and trailed, 19-12.

Miller re-entered the game two minutes into the second quarter, but was called for an offensive foul on a drive to the basket three minutes later.