Sylmar Takes High Road to 81-65 Victory

In a high-energy, high-emotion, high-caliber Hart High boys’ basketball tournament championship game, Sylmar High used the power moves of George Wrighster and the steady play of Branden Jacobs to pull away from Cleveland in the second half Wednesday night en route to an 81-65 victory.

Wrighster, a 6-foot-5 senior with plenty of strength from playing defensive end in football, burned the Cavaliers for 22 points.

Cleveland could not stop him once he received the ball in the low-post area.

Jacobs, a senior guard, played under control throughout, scoring 20 points, including seven of eight on free throws.

Unsung stars for Sylmar were point guard T.K. Reed, the tournament’s most valuable player who engaged in hand-to-hand combat trying to cover Kent Dennis of Cleveland. At one point, a double foul was called.

Dennis finished with 25 points, but Reed frustrated him with his aggressive play.

Dallas Townsend, a 6-4 forward, had 17 points and 13 rebounds for Sylmar.

Cleveland (9-4) lost to Sylmar (13-3) by six points earlier this season, but the Spartans turned the game into a rout this time after leading, 32-31, at halftime.

“Cleveland was all hyped up and we were all hyped up,” Wrighster said. “The guards helped us a lot. They got the ball to us.”

It has been a successful opening month of the season for Sylmar, but there are many tests to come. Two East Valley League games against rival Grant loom, but first up is a Jan. 16 showdown with top-ranked Simi Valley at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

“We’re looking forward to that Simi game,” Wrighster said. “We’re trying to show Simi who the ruler of the Valley is.”

Redmond (Wash.) 54, Royal 48--Branden Foster scored 17 points and Dusty Cruz added 14 but the Highlanders (6-7) lost in the third-place game.

Hart 47, Sacramento Highland 44--John Lyons scored after a steal with 46 seconds left and Tamir Barkan made two free throws with 18 seconds left to help the Indians (10-5) take fifth place.

Glendale 77, Camarillo 48--The Dynamiters (8-6) won the consolation championship.

* BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Page 13

* GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Page 13

* GIRLS’ BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: Page 13