San Fernando’s Page Shoots Like a Pistol

San Fernando High has not played many close basketball games this season.

But if the Tigers run into trouble in the City Section 3-A Division playoffs, they can turn to Mike Page, a 6-foot-5 senior forward who played about six minutes a game last season.

Inspired by “Pistol Pete” Maravich, Page has shown he can handle pressure. He made seven three-point baskets and scored 26 points in the second quarter against Simi Valley in the Hart tournament final in December. He made a three-point basket with 11 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime in an eventual 71-69 Tiger loss.

Two weeks later, Page hit a three-point basket as time expired to force overtime against Cleveland in a Northwest Valley Conference opener. The Tigers won.

“I have complete confidence that I can make those shots,” Page said. “If I’m confident I’ll make it, I’ll take it.”

Page is a perfect offensive complement for San Fernando.

Tyrone Purnell, a 6-8 center, can dominate in the middle. Experienced guards Sean Atkins, Bryson Atkins and Devin Montgomery are good ballhandlers. Forward Luis DeLaRosa can be an explosive scorer.

The Tigers (23-2, 10-0 in conference play) were the first team since Chatsworth in 1995 to finish undefeated in the Northwest Valley. Their losses, to Simi Valley and Compton Centennial, were each by two points.

A heavy favorite to win the 3-A title, San Fernando hosts Venice in a first-round game tonight at 7:30.

Page, who averages 15.9 points, has worked hard to improve his game.

He transferred from Kennedy to San Fernando through open enrollment in his junior year, but he did more sitting than playing for the basketball team. Near the end of last season, Page went to Coach Mick Cady for advice.

“There aren’t many players who have the humility to come up to a coach and ask what they can do to make themselves better,” Cady said.

Page practiced up to five hours a day in the summer and watched instructional videos on shooting by the late Maravich, voted one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players.

Page often dragged along Purnell for workouts that could include 500 shots.

“My first goal was just to start,” Page said. “That’s all I wanted.”

Cracking the lineup appeared to be a longshot. San Fernando returned five starters and added Montgomery, a transfer from Ribet Academy.

But Page was dedicated. For his 17th birthday, he got a tattoo on his right arm of a player dunking.

In summer-league games, Page got his chance. With several players missing because of football commitments, Page got plenty of playing time. Coaches were impressed with his shooting and hard work. When the season began, Page was starting.

“There’s a big difference,” Purnell said. “Last year, he was scared to shoot.”

Page still isn’t perfect. In the Simi Valley game, Page was benched for most of the first quarter because Cady felt he wasn’t playing hard.

“I’m not done,” Page said. “I still have a lot to work on. My defense especially.”

Cady doesn’t doubt Page will keep working to improve.

“If defense was going to be the one thing that gets him playing time in college, he’s the type of kid that would find a way,” said Cady.