Dennis, Cleveland Fall in Overtime

Frustrated by nearly three quarters of constant double-teaming, Kent Dennis of the Cleveland High boys’ basketball team took matters into his own hands in the late stages of a Northwest Valley Conference opener against San Fernando.

But Dennis could only bring the Cavaliers to the brink of an upset. After a desperation three-pointer by the Tigers’ Mike Page forced overtime, Dennis fouled out and San Fernando took over for a 79-70 victory Wednesday afternoon at San Fernando High.

San Fernando held on for a six-point victory over Cleveland in the semifinals of the Hart tournament two weeks ago and the Tigers (14-2 overall) appeared in control again midway through the third quarter on Wednesday.

In building a 42-27 lead, San Fernando forced 19 turnovers and limited Dennis, Cleveland’s top scorer, to two points.

“We just kept leaving the ball behind,” Cleveland Coach Andre Chevalier said.

Dennis and Quante’ Randolph led the Cleveland comeback. Randolph, fighting off an ankle injury, scored six points during an 13-0 run over a four-minute stretch.

Then Dennis, playing with four fouls, took over. The junior guard’s pressure defense forced the Tigers into nine fourth-quarter turnovers and he scored 11 points in that time, including a three-pointer with just under two minutes left in regulation that gave Cleveland a four-point lead.

“I think he finally got [upset] and frustrated at our defense,” San Fernando Coach Mick Cady said. “He suddenly played with a lot of intensity.”

With 1:15 left, Simmagin Smith scored off a rebound to give Cleveland a 58-53.

But Page hit two three-pointers, the second off an inbounds play with three seconds left to tie it at 62-62 and force overtime.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in my shot,” said Page, who had 26 points. “I knew [the second one] was going in when it left my hand.”

The stunned Cavaliers tried to regroup but San Fernando scored first on an open layup by Devin Montgomery. On the ensuing inbounds play, Dennis was called for pushing off San Fernando guard Sean Atkins. The foul was Dennis’ fifth, and he compounded matters by throwing the ball, earning a technical foul.

“It was a physical game,” said Atkins, who guarded Dennis most of the game. “He’s going to get physical with me, I’m going to get physical back.”

San Fernando made three of the free throws, then Montgomery scored again and the game was essentially over. Without Dennis bringing the ball upcourt, Cleveland (10-6) committed seven turnovers in overtime.

Dennis who averages 20.6 points a game, finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists, but he took only three shots in the first half.

“We knew he was their best player, we wanted to shut him down,” Atkins said.

Montgomery scored 21 points for San Fernando and Luis DeLaRosa added 16.

The Tigers played without sixth-man Reggie Kinlaw, who was sidelined with a knee injury. Starting center Tyrone Purnell, who averages 11 points and 11 rebounds, fouled out with only four points and five rebounds.