Reluctant Redmond Scores a Quiet 10

The No. 5 affixed to the back of David Redmond’s Canoga Park High basketball jersey might just as well be a 12-inch question mark.

Basketball isn’t something Redmond loves; it’s just a game he happens to be good at . . . er, when he wants to be.

On Wednesday afternoon, Redmond, a touted 6-foot-7 center who missed most of last season, showed up to play in “The War on the Floor” basketball tournament at Sylmar High.

But was it the real Redmond who scored a modest 10 points in Canoga Park’s 61-45 victory over Alemany--or his alter ego?

He didn’t hide the fact that he would rather be home watching television instead of running up and down a basketball court in a steamy gymnasium.

He often gives the impression that he would rather be anywhere than on a court.

“Sometimes I wonder, is it a facade or is it really him?” Canoga Park Coach Ralph Turner said. “He never wanted to be a basketball player. He just happened to be very talented at it.”

Redmond, who transferred from Birmingham in March after quitting the basketball team two months earlier, had his moments against Alemany, but not nearly as many as he should have.

He finished with nine rebounds and three blocked shots, but also was whistled for an intentional foul after elbowing Alemany’s Ivan Gonzalez and getting into a scuffle on a rebound.

Three of his five baskets came on dunks, which is what he loves most.

“I just like to make people look stupid by dunking on them,” Redmond said. “That’s what I like to do.”

Meanwhile, Carloes Harper, who led the Hunters to the City Section 3-A championship game last spring, played consistently and finished with 23 points and nine rebounds.

With Harper and Anthony Ellison (nine points) returning from last year’s team, Redmond makes the Hunters a true contender for a City title.

But will Redmond last? Will the team accommodate his nonchalant approach to the game?

Turner is certain of only one thing: “This team is not going to be built around any one person,” he said.

Sylmar 64, Hart 63--Undefeated in summer play, the Spartans led by as many as 15 points before escaping with a one-point victory.

Sophomore guard Brandon Jacobs scored a game-high 18 points, including four three-point baskets, and Robert Valentine added 15 to lead the Spartans. Mike Krause and Cory Johnson each had 10 points for Hart.

Palisades 58, Chatsworth 34--Center Shannon Johnson, a transfer from North Hollywood, scored 12 points and teammate Phillip Czernin had 14 to help the Dolphins dismantle Chatsworth.

Valencia 65, St. John Bosco 53--The Vikings pulled off an upset of St. John Bosco, which was playing without star forward Schea Cotton.

Fabian Leon scored 17 points and Jason Richardson added 16 for Valencia.

Long Beach Poly 57, Notre Dame 37--Jorge Piedra scored a team-high 15 points for Notre Dame in a losing effort against the Parrots.

Antelope Valley 73, Taft 59--Tony Walker scored 30 points and hit five three-pointers for Antelope Valley. Amir BarNetzer had 16 for Taft.

Westchester 77, Montclair Prep 60--Keith Johnson scored 19 points for Montclair Prep, but the Mounties were unable to overcome a 38-28 halftime deficit. Tony Bland had 18 points for the Comets.

Muir 76, Cleveland 60--Joe Bachoum scored 20 points for Muir, which won despite scoring only two points during a seven-minute stretch of the second half. Donald Holt led Cleveland with 22.

Manual Arts 57, Granada Hills 38--Ricky Duff scored 18 points for the Toilers, who used a 29-9 second-half run to key the victory.

Leon Pinky had a team-high nine points for the Highlanders.

Fremont 51, Burbank 49--Brian Webb scored 16 points for the Pathfinders, but it was his field goal in overtime that proved to be the difference for Fremont.

Stevie Silveiria had 21 points for the Bulldogs, who could not hold a seven-point lead with 2:05 left in the second half.

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Contributing: Andy Samuelson.