Ellison Gives Canoga Park Second Effort

The saying goes like this: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

That’s what Canoga Park High junior forward Anthony Ellison chose to do Wednesday, and it was the Hunters who reaped the benefits of his determined effort.

After missing his first eight shots, including a one-handed dunk that bounced off the back of the rim, Ellison emerged from the locker room after halftime and scored 15 points to help Canoga Park to an 88-79 victory over Monroe in a Valley Pac-8 Conference game.

Ellison, who had scored 49 points in his previous two games, was in a funk in the first half and the lead changed hands four times as both teams played inconsistently.

But as quickly as Ellison found his game, the Hunters (14-2, 3-0 in conference play) and ranked No. 2 in The Times’ regional poll, were on their way to their ninth consecutive victory.

Ellison scored the first of his 17 points with four seconds remaining in the first half on two free throws to bring Canoga Park to within 36-34.

Despite the intermission, it was the beginning of the end for Monroe. Paced by Ellison’s seven-point contribution, Canoga Park put together a 17-0 run to open the third quarter and took a 51-36 lead and didn’t trail again.

Aside from the exceptional play by Monroe senior center Marrean Robottom, who scored 27 points and grabbed 22 rebounds, the Vikings (9-3, 1-2) did little to help their cause, committing 10 of their 26 turnovers in the decisive third quarter.

Actually, it could have been worse for Monroe, but Canoga Park was not sharp.

“We had a bunch of turnovers that we really didn’t take advantage of today,” Canoga Park Coach Ralph Turner said. “We were giving it right back to them.”

Monroe pulled to within 55-48 early in the fourth quarter on a three-point basket by Terrance Cain, who had 16 points, but the Vikings couldn’t get closer.

Canoga Park made eight of 10 free throws in the final 99 seconds to keep Monroe at a distance.

While Ellison was finding his way, Carloes Harper Jr. kept Canoga Park in the game in the first half. Harper scored 10 points in the first half and finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, six steals and four assists.

Rene Bernal and Aaron Lasley each added 14 points for the Hunters. Jamal Haqq had 13.